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Two families for one week in Costa del Sol - is Gibraltar essential? Other recommendations?

Hello RS community! I am working on details for a 2 week trip in Spain in late July. Our family (kids 15,13, and 11) and another family with kids of same ages are renting a private villa in Marbella, planning day trips from there. We have a private tour guide for many hours in Granada (Alhambra) and are planning on visiting Cordoba, Ronda and Nerja. (We are doing Sevilla separately for 2 days). Is a day (or 1/2 day) trip to Gibraltar worthwhile? We are trying to alternate "travel" days with stay-and-have-fun-in-the-sun days in order not to exhaust the kids. Would love any adventurous recommendations!

Posted by
1878 posts

I have visited twice and I definitely think it's worthwhile. It may not be of profound cultural significance but it's a whole lot of fun and very unique. On our 2005 Spain trip my wife and I rented a car only because we wanted to make a return trip to Gibraltar (first time was as a stop on our honeymoon cruise). It would be especially fun for kids. You can take the cable car up and walk down (or cable car back down). Give it plenty of time. The views over the Strait of Gibraltar are really something, and the Barbary Apes are fun to watch (from a safe distance). They have some cool caves there too. Do not attempt to drive into Gibraltar, park and walk across the border. You probably know this but it's likely to be crazy hot in July in this area.

Posted by
2393 posts

The tunnels inside of the rock are pretty interesting - the kids would probably enjoy that. The Barbary Apes are fun too.

Posted by
15591 posts

Jerez - go for the horse show at the Royal Equestrian School.

Have you looked at driving times? Google maps says 2 hours 11 minutes from Marbella to Cordoba. Viamichelin.com says 3 hours. Using Michelin, 2.5 hours to Granada and 2.25 hours to Jerez.

Posted by
2393 posts

Chani - I was just coming back to suggest that. It was amazing!

While in Jerez visit a bodega and taste some sherry.