Cable Car, Gibraltar

The cable car brings you from the town center (close to the Botanical Gardens) to the top of the rock. On top, there is little else than a viewpoint and a little shop, but it can be the starting point for your day on the rock. Of course, there are other means to get on top of the rock: By car or just by climbing up stairs and pathes. However, paying the cable car price has one advantage. You will get a free audioguide which helps you to explore the rock on your own. If you plan to use the cable car on the way back too, please note that the last cable car runs at around five p.m. Please check the schedule carefully upon arrival.
The spot where the cable car leaves you is not the highest one on the rock. It is O'Hara's Battery which is a couple of hundred meters to the south. There are enough roads and walking paths leading you southwards as well as a comprehensive sign system.

When I was there, local cab and bus drivers were on strike, so we walked everywhere.

We found the cable car to the top, and waited about a half-hour to get on. It was sunny, hot day, but foggy. Nonetheless, the trip up in the cable car, and the view from the top, were great !

The vertical rise between where you embark and disembark, is 352 m. The cable ride runs a distance of 673 m, and moves along at a "blistering" 5 m/sec. Each car can hold 31 people, including the operator.

The round-trip cost per adult, in 2003, was 5.90 £ (which was about $14. CDN, $10.40 USD, or 8.40 €). The cost for children is less, and if they're under 3 yrs old, it's free. [For more current info about tickets and times, go to their website shown below.]

For those with time to take the Cable Car up the Rock the rewards should be outstanding. From the cable car the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent views and at he same time enjoy the thrill of the cable car will be the ultimate.

When our bus tour stopped halfway up the Rock we saw the cable car pass overhead. Our stay limited to a few hours in Gibraltar prevented us from enjoying this ride.

The Cable Car was opened in 1966, but the current cars are from 1986. The ride to the top takes about ten minutes stopping half way at the Apes Den. The views are fantastic and on clear days you can even see the mountains of Africa. Once at the top you can see to both sides of the rock. From the top station you can take a walk to St. Michaels Cave, but returning to the top station from the cave is a steep hill walk. Not suitable to those who are scared of heights!

The Cable Car is the best way to the Top of the Rock and a must-see attraction for all visitors to Gibraltar. The journey will take you 412m above sea level in approximately 6 minutes, offering spectacular views all the way.

* Make use of the Cable Car's Interactive Multimedia Tour which provides a fascinating inisight into Gibraltar's history
* See the famous Barbary Apes in their natural environment
* Take in the breathtaking views of Europe and Africa from the Top Station Terraces
* Enjoy a meal or snack at our Top of the Rock self-service restaurant
* Take home a unique 'Top of the Rock' souvenir or gift from our Souvenir Shop
* Purchase a ticket for the Nature Reserve and you can also visit St. Michael's Cave, only a 15 minute walk from the Shopping Centre.

Everything you want from a day out in Gibraltar plus the convenience of being located only 5 minutes walk from the Shopping Centre.

Monday to Saturday 09.30 - 17.15
Sundays from 1st April - 31st October
Cable Car runs continuously during the course of the day.

Taken from a leaflet I picked up when last home.

A cable car ride up to the top of the Rock, will give a magnificent view across Spain and Africa. It is about an 8-minute ride till to the top station with a short stop at the Middle station.

A crowded way to visit the upper rock of Gibraltar is by cable car, this is what you have to see of Gibraltar, 420 metres high, here you have a beautiful view and you find the small apes that make Gibraltar also really special. If the weather is good you can see Africa.

1 more image

We only had 1 1/2 hours in Gibraltar so we had to choose between seeing the town and going to the top of the Rock for a view via the cable car. Since it was a clear sunny day, all but two of our group opted for the cable car which one of our members negotiated down to 11 E for the round trip ticket from the usual price of 13E round trip.

Take the cable car up to the top for the beautiful views and if you have more time you can wind your way down the Rock stopping at St. Michael's Cave, the Apes Den, the Great Siege Tunnels and the ruins of a Moorish Castle.

We didn't get to see any of this but some of the Barbary Apes are up at the visitors center at the top of the Rock.