Upper Rock Nature Reserve

Lonely Planet review

The most exciting thing about Gibraltar is the Rock itself. Most of the upper Rock, starting just above the town, is a nature reserve, with spectacular views and several interesting spots to visit. A great way to get up here is by cable car. During a westerly wind, the Rock is often a fine spot for observing migrations of birds, especially raptors and storks, between Africa and Europe.

January to early June is the time for northbound migrations, and late July to early November for southbound migrations. White storks sometimes congregate in flocks of 3000 to cross the strait. The Rock's most famous inhabitants are its colony of Barbary macaques, the only wild primates in Europe (probably introduced from North Africa in the 18th century). Some of these hang around the Apes' Den, near the middle cable-car station; others lurk at the top cable-car station or the Great Siege Tunnels.