✈️ That Time I Ended Up in Mediterranean London – A Day Trip to Gibraltar

#GibraltarTravel #DayTripGoals #BritishAbroad #MediterraneanVibes #TravelInspo #HiddenGemsEurope #WanderlustVibes #UnusualDestinations #GibraltarMonkeys #RunwayCrossing #UKInSpain #QuirkyTravelSpots #GibraltarAdventure

“ Sometimes the most scenic roads in life are the detours you didn’t mean to take.”

– Angela N. Blount

So this was one of those spontaneous decisions that end up becoming the highlight of your trip.

We were exploring southern Spain—Andalucía, with its warm January sun and charming towns—and as we made our way toward Cádiz, we thought… why not hop over to Gibraltar for the day? Zero planning. Just a quick detour. 🌞

We parked the car in La Línea de la Concepción, grabbed our passports, and crossed over on foot. And honestly? It was the cutest, smallest border crossing I’ve ever seen. Very chill.

🛬 Runway Meets Road Trip

And then—bam!—the adventure started immediately.

You step out of passport control and land right onto a literal airplane runway. Yes, an actual runway. There’s a traffic light telling you when to stop walking because a plane might be coming. And sure enough—just as we were standing there, a British Airways plane took off right in front of us. 🛫

After the takeoff, we had to wait a few minutes while airport staff made sure everything was cleared and safe again.

From there, we walked into the city center—by of course crossing the runway. Or the motorway. Or… both? Because in Gibraltar, they’re literally the same thing. Still couldn’t get over how wild that was. 🤯

🇬🇧 Mediterranean London Vibes

It’s like someone dropped a piece of London into the Mediterranean.

British flags everywhere. Classic red telephone booths. People speaking with British accent… except they were all in sandals and sunglasses. In January. It felt like London had taken a vacation. 🏖️

I later found out that a good number of people working in Gibraltar actually commute from the UK—or at least that’s what I heard.

And the shops? Very British. You see stores like Marks & Spencer, WHSmith, and Morrisons—brands you don’t expect to stumble upon on the Iberian Peninsula.

🐓 Quirky Country Touches

As we continued walking toward the city center—by of course crossing the runway-slash-motorway—we noticed something unexpected: chickens and roosters just roaming around freely, like we had suddenly landed in the British countryside. 🐔

I don’t know if it was a one-off thing or if they actually live there, but it was adorable either way.

🍽️ Pub Grub in the Sun

And then came the food scene. Fish and chips, Sunday roast specials, British pubs and inns lining the streets like we were in some seaside town in Cornwall, not on the edge of southern Spain.

And of course, there were plenty of small, privately owned tech shops too—similar to the ones you’d find around Paddington or Edgware Road in London. Gibraltar is VAT-free, so it’s known for tax-free electronics and goods. 🛍️

🪨 Up the Rock We Go

We had left our car in Spain (how weird does that sound?), so we decided to walk up toward the famous Rock of Gibraltar. The path took us through the upper town—winding roads, steep staircases, and absolutely stunning views of the Bay as we climbed higher. 🏞️

🐒 Monkeys at Sunset

Now comes the best part—monkey time.

We were struggling a bit to find the actual monkey hotspot (my phone was dying, classic), but we made it just in time before the Upper Rock Nature Reserve closed for the day. And just as the sun was setting, we reached the top—and there they were. The stars of Gibraltar.

The Barbary macaques. Europe’s only wild monkey population, and trust me, they know they’re a big deal. 🐵

There’s a local legend that says as long as the monkeys remain on the Rock, Gibraltar will stay under British rule. Winston Churchill himself even brought more in during WWII.

📶 Stay Connected Like a Pro: The Power of eSIM for Nomads

One of the biggest game-changers for digital nomads? Ditching physical SIM cards and switching to eSIM! 💡 No more struggling with airport kiosks or waiting in line at phone stores. Just download, activate, and BOOM—you’re online in minutes! 🚀

🌎 Whether you’re hustling at a coworking space, sharing epic travel content, or mapping out your next island adventure, a reliable eSIM keeps you connected anytime, anywhere. No contracts, no hassle—just seamless global coverage at your fingertips.

📱 Ready to work smarter, not harder? Get an eSIM and stay ahead of the game! 🔥

📸 Picture-Perfect Descent

They’re also full-time residents of the Rock. You’ll rarely see them in the lower parts of town—they basically live rent-free at the top, with the best views, like little furry royals.

And they were everywhere—some curious and playful, others totally unbothered, just doing their own thing. We were almost alone up there, which made it even more special. 🌅

🍺 One Last Cheers

After the monkey encounter, we made our way down the hill, stopping every few steps to take pictures—the views were just that good.

We wrapped up the day with a pint of British beer, because when in Gibraltar… But the town itself was surprisingly quiet by then. 🍻

🚗 Back to Spain

As the day came to a close, we picked up a few fridge magnets (mandatory, obviously), walked back across the border, and returned to our car in La Línea. From there, we hit the road again, headed toward Cádiz.

Now, I have to say—I’m kind of obsessed with London. So Gibraltar had been on my list for a while, just because it seemed like such a curious blend of two places I love—British vibes with Spanish sun. 💕

That said, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend staying overnight. It’s the perfect one-day escape. My tip? Stay in Spain, book accommodation there, and just drive over—or even better, leave your car in La Línea and walk in. It’s easy, quirky, and completely unforgettable. 🌍

*All photos are from Marija’s personal archive.

Big thanks to my friend Marija for sharing her travel journal with Courageous Wanderer—and for giving us a peek into a place that’s now on my bucket list. If her story sparked your curiosity or brought back memories of your own adventure, I’d love to hear from you!

Have you ever been somewhere as surprising as Gibraltar? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’m all ears!