Gibraltar Cable Car Closed: Your Complete 2026–2027 Guide (And the Best Way to Still Reach the Top of the Rock)
If you've been planning a trip to Gibraltar and just discovered that the iconic cable car is closed, please don't reshuffle your diary just yet. The Rock is still very much open for business, the Barbary macaques are still holding court at the summit, and St Michael's Cave is still as breathtaking as ever. In fact, with a little local know-how, you may end up enjoying a richer, more personal visit than the cable car alone could have offered.
This guide brings together the latest news on the closure, what's coming next, and — crucially — how you can still tick the Top of the Rock off your bucket list while the works are underway. We'll also share a few insider tips that only a born-and-raised Gibraltarian would know.
The Latest News: Why Is the Gibraltar Cable Car Closed?
The Gibraltar Cable Car officially closed on **18 November 2025** and is expected to remain out of service for approximately **two years**, with reopening anticipated in **2027**. This isn't a routine maintenance window — it's a full, top-to-bottom rebuild, the most significant overhaul the cable car has had since it was originally constructed back in 1966.
The project is being led by **MH Bland**, the very company behind the original installation nearly sixty years ago. The vision belongs to the late John G. Gaggero, whose family-run firm wants to honour his legacy by delivering a thoroughly modern attraction fit for the 21st century. Construction of the original system was carried out by Swiss cable car specialists Von Roll Holding, and the last major refurbishment took place all the way back in 1986 — so a refresh has been a long time coming.
What the New Cable Car Will Offer
When it reopens in 2027, the new system will be a serious upgrade rather than a like-for-like replacement. Here's what's planned:
- **Massive capacity boost** — passenger throughput will jump from around 260 people per hour to roughly **1,150 per hour**, dramatically reducing queues during peak season.
- **Modern, accessible cabins** — improved access for visitors with mobility needs and a smoother, more comfortable ride.
- **Greener credentials** — the new system is being designed with sustainability and energy efficiency front of mind.
- **Refurbished base and top stations** — including upgraded facilities at the summit complex.
- **Faster journeys** — quicker turnaround so more visitors can enjoy the views.
It's a genuine moment of renewal for one of Gibraltar's most beloved attractions. But until 2027 rolls around, you'll need a different way up — and that's where things actually get rather exciting.
"But I Wanted to Take the Cable Car…" — Don't Worry, You're in Good Hands
We completely understand the disappointment. The cable car has been a rite of passage for visitors to Gibraltar for nearly sixty years, and there's something undeniably special about a six-minute glide up the side of a 412-metre limestone giant. But here's the thing locals have known all along: **the cable car was never the best way to actually understand Gibraltar.** It was the fastest, certainly. The most photogenic, perhaps. But understanding the Rock — its monkeys, its tunnels, its peculiar little corners of British-Mediterranean culture — has always rewarded those who take a slower, guided approach.
In other words, the closure is actually an opportunity to experience Gibraltar the way many returning visitors say they wish they had the first time.
How to Reach the Top of the Rock While the Cable Car Is Closed
There are essentially three options available to you during the closure period. Each has its place, and the right one depends on how much time you have, your fitness level, and how much context you'd like along the way.
1. Hike the Upper Rock Nature Reserve
The most budget-friendly option is also the most physically demanding. There are three main pedestrian entrances to the Upper Rock Nature Reserve — Jews' Gate, Moorish Castle, and Devil's Gap — and from each you can walk up to the various attractions. The **Mediterranean Steps** route from Jews' Gate offers genuinely extraordinary views and a proper sense of accomplishment, but it's a steep one to two-hour climb that isn't recommended if you have vertigo or any mobility issues.
The Upper Rock entry ticket (currently £25) gets you access to St Michael's Cave, the Great Siege Tunnels, the Moorish Castle area, the 100-Ton Gun, and more. Solid value if you've got the legs for it.
2. Public Taxi Tours
Shared taxi tours run from Main Street and the border crossing, and they're a reasonable option if you simply need transport up and don't mind sharing the experience with a rotating cast of strangers.
3. A Private, Guided Tour with a Local
This is where we humbly raise our hand. A small-group tour with born-and-raised Gibraltarians lets you skip the climb, skip the chaos at the bottom, and — most importantly — actually understand what you're looking at. More on that in a moment.
Why a Guided Local Tour Beats the Cable Car (Honestly, Even When It's Running)
Here's a thought that might surprise you: many guests who've done both a cable car visit and a guided Rock tour with a local end up preferring the guided tour. There's a Tripadvisor reviewer who put it beautifully — they'd planned to do the cable car, found it closed, took a tour with us instead, and said they "had a great visit that we would not have had if we had just gone up and down on the cable car."
That sums up the difference rather well. Here's what a proper guided tour offers that a cable car ride simply can't:
- **Context and stories** — the kind of local history, family anecdotes, and "did you know" moments that turn a photo op into a memory.
- **Access to spots the cable car misses entirely** — Europa Point, the Pillars of Hercules monument, the Moorish Castle area, the 100-Ton Gun, the WWII tunnels, Catalan Bay village, and the genuinely surreal moment of driving across an active airport runway.
- **Safe, friendly time with the macaques** — a guide who knows the troops, knows where they tend to congregate, and knows how to help you get the perfect photo without anyone (human or simian) getting bitten or robbed of their sunglasses.
- **Skipping the walk in the heat** — particularly welcome in July and August, or if you're travelling with children, older relatives, or anyone who'd rather not climb the equivalent of a small mountain.
- **Personalised pacing** — stop when you want, linger where you like, and rejig the route based on what catches your interest.
Meet Rocky Monkey: Your Local Guides to the Rock
At [Rocky Monkey Gibraltar Tours](https://rockymonkey.gi/), we've been doing this for years, and it shows. We hold a **5.0 out of 5 rating on Tripadvisor with 78 five-star reviews** and the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award. But more importantly, we're not a faceless operation shipped in from elsewhere — we're Gibraltarians, born and raised on this Rock, with family stories stretching back generations.
Take Giancarlo, our founder. His mother's family (the Grimas) can be traced back to the original Maltese families who immigrated to Gibraltar, with Italian heritage on his father's side (the Milantas). He's fluent in English and Spanish and is also President and Founder of the Gibraltar Kickboxing Association — a properly local figure with a properly local perspective.
When you tour with us, you're not getting a script. You're getting a friend with sixty-odd years of family memory who happens to be showing you around their home.
What Makes Rocky Monkey Different
- **Genuinely local guides** — born and raised in Gibraltar, not trained-in for the season.
- **Small group experience** — a maximum of 8 people per tour, so you'll never feel herded.
- **Five-star reputation** — 78 consecutive five-star reviews on Tripadvisor speak for themselves.
- **Flexible scheduling** — multiple departures daily with easy online booking.
- **Free cancellation** — up to 24 hours before your tour, no questions asked.
- **Fully licensed and insured** — your safety is non-negotiable.
- **Routes the big operators don't run** — including a few quiet viewpoints we tend to keep to ourselves.
Our Tours: Three Ways to Experience Gibraltar
We offer three carefully designed tours, so whether you've got two hours between cruise stops or a full day to soak it all in, there's an option that fits.
Tour 1 — The Essential Highlights (2 Hours)
Our most popular tour and the perfect choice for cruise passengers or anyone short on time. You'll hit the most iconic spots — including the famous Barbary macaques at the Top of the Rock, St Michael's Cave, and the Pillars of Hercules — all with proper local commentary along the way. Maximum 8 people. Ideal if you want the headlines without the long day out.
Tour 2 — The Heritage Extension (3 Hours)
For visitors who want a deeper dive into Gibraltar's military and natural heritage. This extended tour adds the impressive **100-Ton Gun** and the **Great Siege Tunnels** — one of the great engineering feats of the 18th century, carved through solid limestone during the four-year-long Great Siege. If you've ever found yourself fascinated by history that you can actually walk through, this is the one.
Tour 3 — The Full Day Experience (6 Hours)
The comprehensive offering. You'll see everything: the monkeys, the caves, the tunnels, Europa Point with its views across to Morocco, the Moorish Castle area, Catalan Bay, and a proper 360-degree drive around the Rock including crossing the airport runway. We'll also build in some free time on Main Street for shopping and lunch — Gibraltar has a surprisingly fun food scene and the duty-free pricing on Main Street is worth a wander.
[Book your tour →](https://rockymonkey.gi/book)
What You'll See: A Local's Highlight Reel of the Rock
Whichever tour you choose, here are the experiences we'd most encourage you to look forward to.
The Barbary Macaques
The only wild monkeys in Europe, and the Rock's most famous residents. There are currently around 300 macaques in five or six troops roaming the Upper Rock. Legend has it that during the Second World War, when the population fell to just seven, Winston Churchill personally ordered that they be replenished — because as the old saying goes, as long as the apes remain on Gibraltar, the Rock remains British. They're wild animals, so we'll show you how to enjoy them safely and respectfully (rule one: don't touch them, don't feed them, and keep your sunglasses and snacks well out of sight).
St Michael's Cave
A natural limestone cave system that has been used over the centuries as an air raid shelter, an emergency hospital during the war, and — more cheerfully — a concert venue. The stalactites and stalagmites are extraordinary, and the cathedral-like main chamber is genuinely show-stopping. Lit up in shifting colours, it's one of those places that photographs well but feels even better in person.
The Skywalk
A glass viewing platform at 340 metres above sea level, offering 360-degree views across three countries and two continents. The glass floor is strong enough to hold five elephants, which is reassuring information whether you needed it or not. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the mountains of North Africa.
The Great Siege Tunnels
Carved through solid rock by British soldiers during the Great Siege of 1779–1783, these tunnels remain one of the most impressive feats of military engineering you'll ever walk through. The fact that they were dug with hand tools and gunpowder, while under fire, makes them all the more astonishing.
Europa Point
The southernmost tip of Gibraltar, with views across the Strait to Africa, a striking lighthouse, and the lovely Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque — one of the largest mosques in a non-Muslim country.
The 100-Ton Gun
A Victorian-era supergun that gives a real sense of just how strategically significant Gibraltar has been for centuries. Genuinely impressive engineering.
Catalan Bay
A charming fishing village on the eastern side of the Rock, originally settled by Genoese fishermen. A complete change of pace from the British high street feel of Main Street — and a lovely photo stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gibraltar Cable Car definitely closed?
Yes. As of 18 November 2025, the cable car has been fully closed for an estimated two-year rebuild. It is expected to reopen in 2027. Anything you see online suggesting it's operational is out of date — please book an alternative.
Can I still get to the Top of the Rock?
Absolutely. You can hike up via the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, take a public taxi tour, or join a small-group guided tour like ours. The Top of the Rock and all the major attractions remain open.
Is a guided tour worth it if the cable car was my main reason for visiting?
We'd say yes — and many of our guests who originally planned to take the cable car have told us afterwards that they're glad they didn't. A guided tour gives you context, access to more sites, and a local connection that a cable car ride simply can't.
How much does a Rocky Monkey tour cost?
Pricing varies by tour length and group size. The best way to get an accurate quote is to [contact us directly via WhatsApp](https://rockymonkey.gi/contact) or our [booking page](https://rockymonkey.gi/book) — we'll get back to you quickly and tailor things to your group.
Are the tours suitable for children?
Very much so. Children tend to love meeting the macaques and exploring the caves and tunnels. Our small-group format means we can keep the pace family-friendly. We've welcomed many cruise families over the years, including children as young as two.
Are the tours suitable for visitors with limited mobility?
Yes — because we drive between the major sites, our tours are far more accessible than hiking up the Rock. There's still some walking at certain stops (St Michael's Cave, the Skywalk), but we can adapt the route. Please let us know your needs when booking and we'll make sure you're well looked after.
Do you pick up from cruise ships?
Yes. We're well-versed in working with cruise schedules and can collect you near the terminal or arrange to meet at the border. Just tell us your ship's schedule when you book.
What about visitors coming from Spain?
If you're crossing from La Línea, we can meet you at the border on the Gibraltar side. Just bring your passport and let us know your approximate arrival time.
What should I bring?
Comfortable shoes, sun cream, a hat, a refillable water bottle, and a camera. The Rock has its own microclimate — it can be windy at the top even on warm days — so a light layer is a sensible precaution.
How far in advance should I book?
For peak season (April to October), as far ahead as you can — at least two to three weeks is ideal, particularly for the longer tours. Off-season, a few days' notice is usually fine, but earlier is always better.
Don't Let a Closure Cancel Your Adventure
Yes, the Gibraltar Cable Car is closed. Yes, it'll be closed for a while. But the Rock itself — the monkeys, the caves, the tunnels, the views, the history, the wonderful peculiarity of this little British outpost on the edge of Spain — is all very much still here, waiting to be explored.
And in many ways, this is the best moment to see it: ahead of the 2027 reopening, before the new cable car inevitably brings even bigger crowds to the summit, and with a slower, more thoughtful style of touring that puts local knowledge at the heart of your visit.
We'd love to show you around our home.
**[Book your Rocky Monkey tour today →](https://rockymonkey.gi/book)**
Or get in touch via [WhatsApp](https://rockymonkey.gi/contact) to ask any questions — we usually reply within the hour.
*Rocky Monkey Gibraltar Tours — Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice 2024 — 5.0/5 from 78 reviews — proudly Gibraltarian since the beginning.*
