The Moorish Castle

The Moorish Castle is a historic fortress located on the southern end of the Rock of Gibraltar. With its imposing presence and rich history, it is one of Gibraltar's most prominent landmarks. The origins of the Moorish Castle date back to the 8th century when the Rock of Gibraltar was under Moorish rule. It served as a defensive stronghold for the Moors, who controlled the region for several centuries. The fortress played a crucial role in protecting the strategic position and controlling the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea.

Over time, the Moorish Castle underwent various expansions and modifications under different ruling powers. The Castle features distinctive architectural elements influenced by Moorish, Spanish, and European styles, reflecting the diverse historical influences that Gibraltar has experienced.

Today, visitors can explore the remains of the Moorish Castle and discover its intriguing features. The Castle includes several towers, such as the Tower of Homage, which offers panoramic views of Gibraltar and the surrounding area. The Gatehouse and its fortified walls provide insights into the fortress's defensive capabilities. Within the Castle complex, there are also gardens and a small museum where visitors can learn about the Castle's history, including its Moorish origins and subsequent transformations.

The Moorish Castle stands as a testament to the region's complex and diverse history. It represents the multicultural heritage of Gibraltar, showcasing the influences of different civilizations that have left their mark on the territory over the centuries.

A visit to the Moorish Castle allows visitors to immerse themselves in Gibraltar's past, explore the architectural wonders of the fortress, and appreciate the strategic significance it held throughout history. It is a captivating destination that offers a glimpse into the vibrant and multicultural heritage of Gibraltar.

If you are arriving from the airport or the frontier, and have purchased the Hopper Ticket, this will allow you unlimited travel on all Gibraltar bus Routes for a whole day. Therefore, with your Hopper ticket get the Citibus Route 5 or Route 10 which will take you to the central marketplace, where you may connect your trip with other bus Routes. 

The closest access to the north side of the Upper Rock where you may access The iconic Moorish Castle of Gibraltar, as well as a number of other historical Gibraltar Attractions, like The World War 2 Tunnels, The Great Siege Tunnels and others, is via Route number 1 from Market place or any of the other connecting bus stops in other parts of town. 

The closest bus stop to The Moorish Castle is Willi’s Road Terminus, which is the last stop in the upper town. Once you are here you can walk uphill making your way through the most historical based attractions on the North Side of the Rock of Gibraltar, starting off at The Moorish Castle, followed by the The World War 2 Tunnels and various others. 

If you are a cruise liner passenger you can either walk to central market place which is only a 15-20 minute walk from the cruise port, or if you have purchased the special hopper ticket, you may prefer to get the Citibus Route 5 or Route 10 from North Mole Road which will take you to the market place where you can then connect to Route number 1 to take you to the Upper Town terminus, or with any of the other available routes that will take you all around Gibraltar.