Gibraltar and marina motorhome parking

We’re on a tour of Southern Spain in March 2024 with sunny skies and warm air. After leaving Mijas earlier our sights are now on Gibraltar and a marina motorhome parking next door in Spain.

We’ve been to buy ferry tickets for Morocco in Algeciras, so have come a long way round. A coastal road brings us towards Gribraltar, and a great view of the famous rock.

We’re going to stay on a marina at La Linea de la Concepcion, which is in Spain, but within walking distance to Gibraltar.

Motorhome Parking

Here in La Linea, the marina parking area is huge and allows motorhome parking too. It’s €15 a night for our stay and it’s really busy with motorhomes on our arrival.

We’re full with water so don’t need to use the good dump and fresh area that’s here just yet. There’s also a laundry and toilets in a portable building, but no access to showers.

The parking area is facing the boats on the marina, so it’s a nice outlook. There’s also brilliant views behind of the Rock of Gibraltar, giving a really nice feel to the open aspect.

Although it’s really popular, there’s plenty of space to choose from, we opt for one of the bays overlooking the marina.

Walking into Gibraltar

Walking from the marina takes us to immigration – luckily we have our passports with us. This is the most bizarre entrance into a country ever! That’s because, we have to walk over the airport runway, where a traffic light system allows pedestrians and cyclists straight across the vast tarmac walkway.

In between people crossing, the runway resumes normal flying activity. We just about manage to catch a BA flight land, before the gates open. How awesome is that?

Our passports have been checked and we’re able to continue into this British overseas territory in the Mediterranean.

Gibraltar is bigger than we think

We soon realise Gibraltar is bigger than we think. Not only is it hilly and long but quite widespread to be seen on foot.

The streets are busy, with lots of traffic before merging into shopping areas with noticeable signs of its British heritage.

From phone boxes to road signs and familiar shops, it’s a great sight to see.

Heading upwards, we take to marked paths up hill. We’re trying to find access to the main attraction – the Rock. This limestone peak rises 1396 feet at its highest point with views across the surrounding headland.

Too late – Gibraltar and marina motorhome parking

Numerous steps take us up to a Moorish castle above the town. Here we come to an entrance and ticket booth with no access beyond.

Thinking we’ll be able to carry on after paying the £18 entrance fee doesn’t quite materialise. Speaking to the attendants in the ticket office, apparently it takes about 4 hours to walk around, so we’re too late to enter. After all that, we’re here too late in the day, as the entrance closes at 6pm and it’s already nearly 5pm.

A cable car also goes up to the rock from the other end of town, but we won’t make it there in time either. Instead, we walk back down into the town, merging onto shopping streets and park areas.

Gibraltar has plenty of historic military type sights and a compact feel all around. Everything seems quite built up considering it’s so coastal.

Public transport

We think it may be better to take public transport in Gibraltar, as there’s quite a lot to see which is a little more difficult to reach than we imagined.

Unfortunately, for us it’s the type of place where you need longer to see everything and we’re running out of time.

Instead, we head for the areas where you don’t need an entrance ticket. Walking along the waterfront through the marina is pleasant enough.

We feel we’ve walked miles but not really achieved too much. Gibraltar is a strange mix of very modern apartment buildings, historic architecture and everything in-between.

Fish and Chips

Gibraltar is a little neglected looking in places yet there’s been plenty of investment too. Waterfront restaurants, contemporary accommodation and plenty of familiar sights too.

From fish and chip shops to red post boxes and English breakfasts, it’s just like being back home.

Spanish is also widely spoken too and the mix of the two brings a unique sounding accent.

Walking back – Gibraltar and marina motorhome parking

We’re exhausted, tired feet and aching limbs bring the decision to walk back to the camper. Heading back across the runway, through passport and immigration with a quick look back at the huge rock behind us.

Before turning back to the marina, we take a walk to the beach of La Linea, bringing really good views of Gibraltar and its rock.

There’s lots of rubbish around and development going on, such as a new football stadium.

It’s been great to see Gibraltar, but next time we’ll arrive much earlier in the day to see more of the sights.

We’re thinking of returning the following day, but rain and very low mist have come over. With the rock and the views from the viewing areas obscured by cloud, we’ll have to come back another time.

In the meantime, Morocco is calling and we have a ferry to catch for a whole new adventure.