We a 4 seniors staying in Malage next April and would like a recommendation on which tour to buy tickets for a full day tour of Gibraltar that includes the caves & drives up to the top... also who to buy tickets from to tour the Alahambra.
Thanks,
Jean
I don't know about Gibraltar. It is interesting but not overly exciting. From a historical viewpoint it is worth seeing but Alhambra was far more interesting. If either/or, I would go for the Alhambra. Gibraltar is very touristy. You buy tickets from the Alhambra site. You could do Alhambra on your own since there is decent bus service between Malaga and Granada but it would be a long day since the bus about two hours.
If you don't get many personal recommendations, a common provider of day tours globally is Viator. They are a 3rd party platform for various local tour companies. Otherwise I would use a travel website with reviews - like TripAdvisor - to check who in Malaga is doing day tours and book directly with them.
We will have a rental car but the agency stipulates that we cannot drive into Gibraltar; is there anywhere close to park outside the Territory of Gibraltar in Spain & walk or take a local bus to tour the area? According to tourists, the tour bus from Malaga makes stops along the coast to pick people so takes longer to get there & back!
Thanks again,
Jean
I'd recommend getting in touch with Emily who owns South Ole Spain Tours, explain what you are trying to accomplish, and she can likely help your group out with a fabulous solution.
We used her company several years ago for transportation and tour guides from Granada to Gibraltar to Marbella. The driver was fabulous, and the tour guide in Gibraltar was incredible. The driver and the tour guide communicated by cell phone to connect and made the entering/exiting from Gibraltar seamless, and we did not have to worry about finding a place to park and did not have to worry about getting stuck in a long line of vehicles.
Emily is from America, fell in love with Spain, and then moved there and started her company.
You can check out her company on Trip Advisor. She gets excellent reviews.
Have a safe and fun time on your trip.
Hi Maggie; I have sent her an email asking for information. This is exactly what I was asking for!
Many thanks,
Jean
Hi again Maggie, I received a quote from Emily and it's quite high compared to Viator $75 CAD per person or $215 per person from Emily... a large difference... thanks for the reference though!
Jean
"is there anywhere close to park outside the Territory of Gibraltar in Spain & walk or take a local bus to tour the area? "
In Rick's Spain book, he has exact directions for getting to the parking lots in La Línea, which is the Spanish city just across the border from Gibraltar. You then walk across the border; while doing this you cross the Gibraltar airport's runway, so if there's a flight arriving or departing, you have to wait!
The Spain book also has details on how to tour Gibraltar on your own, bus routes to get around, etc. If you're just going to Andalucia, you can instead get the Snapshot: Sevilla, Granada & Southern Spain book, which has just that section of the larger Spain book.
There is a big parking lot for Gibraltar. Most people prefer to park their cars and walk across the causeway just to avoid the long, slow line of cars waiting to enter. Get there early to avoid the line into the parking lot.
There is a big parking lot for Gibraltar. Most people prefer to park their cars and walk across the causeway just to avoid the long, slow line of cars waiting to enter. Get there early to avoid the line into the parking lot.
Thanks Harold & Chani: how far/long is the walk to get from the Spanish border to the entrance to everything to see at Gibraltar? Is this big parking lot in Spain because the rental car co. says we cannot take the car into Gibraltar?
Jean
Per Rick's book, "it's a five minute stroll to the border, where you can catch a bus or taxi into town."
Thanks Harold; love Rick Steve's Forums...this is so much cheaper and less hassle than taking a bus tour from Malaga that everyone says makes stops along the way to pick up other passengers taking 2 - 3 hours... it's only 1 hour 40 minutes by car.
Jean
P.S. How much to park for the day?
If you park yourself, be sure no luggage or valuables are within sight in your vehicle (as one should at any large tourist parking lot). We were told car break-ins can be a problem (tourists leave, and thieves pretty much know they will be gone for a while).
H Maggie, we'll be leaving from our rental Condo in the centre of Malaga so the car will be empty; I'm hoping if nothing is visible they'll bypass our car. Can you tell me how much the parking is for the day?
Jean
Not all rental companies prohibit driving to Gibraltar.
Yes I agree but I get a discount at Auto Europe and they state that you cannot drive into Gibraltar; so I'll have to park & walk in. Not a problem, people say it's a short walk to the border then take either a bus or hire a cab.
Does anyone know how much a day parking fee is?
Thanks,
Jean
