International driving license for travel to Gibraltar

When you think of the Mediterranean, it would be difficult not to imagine rock cliff cities, beaches, summer cruises, medieval culture, exquisite cuisine, music, and art. But did you know that the “Ancient Home of the Summer Sun” was once isolated from the Atlantic? That only during the parting of the Iberian Peninsula and what we know now as Africa did water gush into the basin and gradually became the sought-after Mediterranean Sea?

At the outset of it all lies the monumental Rock of Gibraltar — a limestone structure, mythologically believed to be a “sister” of the neighboring Mount Hacho in Spain and Jebel Moussa in Morocco.

Why is the Rock of Gibraltar the center of this article? Because the structure, economy, and culture of the entire country revolve around this rock, including all the extraordinary sites to visit! If you’re planning on traveling to the country soon, prepare your International Driving Permit in Gibraltar and pick which of these destinations you’d want to explore first!

Known at present as the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens, the Alameda was initially built for soldiers to recuperate and maintain their well-being. This quaint 80,000m2 garden has been well maintained, and it features paved walkways and sections that serve as spaces for specific uses — like the open-air theater. You can find the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens about 10 minutes from the airport. And if you’re a green thumb, you can even volunteer and help tend to the plants!

You can find the Alameda along Red Sands Road. If you were coming in from the airport, the fastest route to the Garden would be through Queensway Road. It will only take you about 10 minutes or less to drive to the area. The park is open daily between 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.

Europa Point is the southernmost point of Gibraltar. There are plenty of unique sites within the Point, with the Trinity Lighthouse being the most popular. If you want to learn stories about vessels passing through the Strait of Gibraltar starting from the 19th-century, this is a site you’d want to spend time in. Other sites in the area include the Harding’s Artillery Battery, the largest overlooking Mosque in a minorly-Muslim country, and the Sikorski Memorial.

You can find Europa Point along Levanter Way, a slight divergence from the Europa Advance Road. If you drive directly from the airport, it should only take you about 13 minutes to reach the area via Sir Herbert Miles Road. You can visit Europa Point anytime between 9:00 am to 8:45 pm.

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What do you think about dining on top of the entire Gibraltar? There are two (2) ways to reach the peak of the Gibraltar Rock: one (1) is by climbing the must-try Mediterranean Steps, and two (2) is by riding the 6-minute cable car. Once at the top, you can dine amidst the most magnificent views of all bodies of water surrounding Gibraltar, even Africa in the distance!

You can ride the cable car between 9:30 am to 5:15 pm daily and buy a ticket once you arrive at the base station. You can find the base station along Red Sands Road and take the Queensway Road route to arrive faster. The station is only about 3.3 km from the airport, and it shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes to reach the destination on a good day.

This castle tower has been in existence since the 15th century. And even before the structure you see today, another one was believed to have been built during the 8th century. When you visit the castle, you’ll be able to walk through the different internal passages, chambers, baths, and outside terraces to have a slight glimpse of what it was like living during the medieval period.

To reach the Moorish Castle, you’ll have to go through the castle access road, right after the Flat Bastion Road. It is about 4.6 km from the airport, and the fastest route would only take out about 13 minutes or less to arrive at the destination. The castle is open daily for visitors between 9:30 am to 6:15 pm.

No trip to the Mediterranean is complete without beaches! Catalan Bay is the second largest beach in Gibraltar, and it is nestled on the eastern coast, fronting the Alboran Sea or the western Mediterranean. The beach features soft, gray sand perfect for lounging and numerous beach/water sports.

You can access Catalan Bay from Sir Herbert Miles Road via Catalan Bay Road. The beach is just a short 6-minute drive from the airport, and the fastest route is through Devil’s Tower Road. Be careful also when driving through this route as Devil’s Tower Road is notorious for having a lot of overspeeding vehicles.

The history of Gibraltar holds a good amount of wars and sieges because of the Rock of Gibraltar. Starting from the 14th century to the 18th century, Gibraltar experienced 14 major sieges. It was in the Great Siege Tunnels that the last siege attempt was successfully counteracted. During World War II, the tunnels were extended to 113 meters, and you can visit the entire length of it. Inside you will find the original cannons, batteries, and other artilleries used during the sieges.

You can reach the entrance to the Great Siege Tunnels via Willis’s Road. The tunnels are open between 9:00 am - 6:15 pm, and you can request a guided tour. The entrance is about 5.3 km from Gibraltar Airport, and it shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes to arrive at the area.

The Gibraltar Skywalk is a 360o viewing point 340 meters above the Mediterranean. The structure is made up of steel and glass panels that make up the floor of the outside walkway. If you’re not too afraid of heights, the Skywalk will make you feel like your floating in mid-air with a steep bonus drop below your soles.

The Gibraltar Skywalk is open from 9:00 AM to 6:15 PM. If you’re planning on visiting the skywalk in the middle of the day, you are advised to bring an umbrella since there isn’t much shade in the structure, considering it’s made up of glass. You can find the Gibraltar Skywalk along St. Michael Road, and the fastest route to the area is via Queensway Road.

For thrill-seekers, the Windsor Suspension Bridge might be the most exhilarating adventure you can experience in Gibraltar. Hanging 50 meters above a gorge, you’ll need to walk across this 71-meter long bridge without a harness. Not to mention it’s complete with all the slight, natural wobbles to pump up the excitement!

It would be best to check the weather first before heading to Windsor Suspension Bridge. Since it is perched in between cliffs, winds could pick up. Nevertheless, the bridge is open daily between 9:00 AM - 6:15 PM. You can find the entrance to the site along the Old Queen’s Road. It will not take you more than 20 minutes to drive from the airport to Windsor Suspension Bridge.

When you’re into glittering cave wonders, St. Michael’s Cave is a destination you wouldn’t want to miss. You don’t need to be a professional spelunker to visit the cave because the chambers are effortlessly accessible. One (1) of the chambers have even been converted into an underground arena that could seat 400 people!

St. Michael’s Cave is located near the starting point of St. Michael’s Road. It is about 6.1 km from Gibraltar Airport, and it would only take you about 15 minutes to drive to the cave. The cave is open daily from 9:30 AM to 6:15 PM, but it is recommended that you go there early because there are just so many chambers to explore!

Casemates SquareMall is located at the northern end of Main Street. You can find it along Line Wall Road, adjacent to the roundabout. Casemates Square is the center of urban entertainment in Gibraltar. This is where you can dine in the best restaurants and shop your heart out. Casemates Square is just about a 5-minute ride from the airport, and some establishments remain open until the wee hours of the night.

The most convenient way to go around Gibraltar is with a private car. Driving through Gibraltar’s streets is already an experience in itself, especially when it comes to the scenic coastal roads. With this, keeping a valid International Driving Permit in Gibraltar isn’t the only requirement to follow. Here are other important road rules:

The minimum age to be qualified for a full driving license in Gibraltar is 18 years old. However, residents and/or citizens who have reached the age of 17 years old can already apply for a learner’s license, which they can use to go practice-driving legally. Individuals who only have a learner’s license should be accompanied by an adult who holds a full driving license. Aside from that, your car should undergo a motor vehicle test in the vehicle licensing department before you start driving.

This rule also applies to tourists. Even if you have a full driving license from your home country, you will still not be allowed to drive in Gibraltar. Well, it would be hard for you to do so, also considering that you’ll not be allowed to secure an International Driving Permit yet.

Driving within the speed limit is paramount in Gibraltar due to its topography. Although all roads in the country are well-paved, there are a lot of winding road sections and sharp curves. Moreover, many of the winding roads go up and down the hill, so slope also becomes a reason you should drive with utmost caution.

Since Gibraltar is a small nation where you can go around in less than half a day, the speed limit is universal, except for some road sections where speed limits are specified using road signs. If you drive along a road with no speed limit signs, you should maintain a driving speed between 30mph - 50mph.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs blurs your ability to rapidly recognize and respond to circumstances. Drunk drivers are a major cause of road accidents worldwide; thus, you wouldn’t be able to find a country that doesn’t discourage drinking and driving at the same time. For Gibraltar, the maximum alcohol limits are as follows:

• Breath Alcohol Level - 35 micrograms per 100 ml of breath
• Blood Alcohol Concentration - 80 milligrams per 100 ml of blood

To know more about getting an International Driver’s License - Gibraltar, the telephone number of IDA is +1-877-533-2804. You can also read the “Driving Guide for Gibraltar” or get in touch with a representative via email at hello@internationaldriversassociation.com. Get an IDP now to fully enjoy your trip to fascinating Gibraltar!