Gibraltar

UK Overseas Territory

Things to do in Gibraltar:

Gibraltar Restaurants

Affordable (24)

Le Petit Cafe

Enjoys a superb waterfront position at Ocean Village with a suitably informal atmosphere and a good choice of meals ranging from paella to coq au vin and from sandwiches and snacks. read more
Fine dining (18)

Gauchos

With its wood-clad, cosy interior, this makes a great escape from the sun. Arrive with a big appetite as portions are huge. Aside from steaks, expect exotic delights such as salmon with grilled... read more

Gibraltar Nightlife

Chilled (17)

Celebrity Wine Bar

The outside terrace at this sophisticated restaurant and wine bar is a popular place to start the evening with a long, cool cocktail before shimmying on to the nearby late-night bars. read more
Clubbing (19)

Savannah Lounge

Cool music, mood lighting and killer cocktails make this a chilled-out space, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when the clubbing vibe carries on until early morning. read more

This Month in Gibraltar:

By Josephine Quintero

Shopping: Head to the top of Main Street (towards the upper rock cable car) for some of the best shopping on the Rock with stores like Monsoon, Next, Accessorize and Tommy Hilfiger all within a short strut of each other.

Sightseeing: There is something very evocative about the historical Trafalgar Cemetery, which was used for burials between 1798 and 1814, and subsequently fell into disuse. Buried here are victims of sea battles of the Napoleonic Wars - including, of course, the Battle of Trafalgar -and the inscriptions on the tombstones are touching.

Key areas: Watch the local Calpe Rooke Band perform Les Miserables in St Michael's Cave (11-12 May) with its fabulous acoustics. For more information, call 200 73992.

Gibraltar News & Gossip

Glam Rock

(above) Tomboy Sailing boat, Europa Point, Strait of Gibraltar

SHE WEARS Silk shell-print kaftan (�435) from La Perla; sunglasses (�695) from Finest Seven at Harvey Nichols
HE WEARS White shirt (�99) from Calvin Klein Jeans; espadrilles (�40) from Hackett

(above) SHE WEARS Floral print shorts (�345) from Stella McCartney at Browns; khaki leather-detail bikini top (�320, part of set) from La Perla; shell bracelet (�45) from Pebble; scarf (used as belt) stylist's own
HE WEARS Silk and jersey top (�305) from Lanvin at Browns; panama hat (�75) from Hackett

(above) SHE WEARS Striped swimsuit (�80) from Lacoste; bangles (from �195) from Erickson Beamon; amber bangle, gold cuff and shell bracelet (from �55) all from Pebble

(above) SHE WEARS Shorts (�410) from Dsquared at Harvey Nichols; white T-shirt (�30) from Lee; grey vest (�49) from Calvin Klein Jeans; red bag (�155) from Sandro; denim espadrilles (�450) from Gianmarco Lorenzi; hat (�75) from Hackett; scarf on hat (stylist's own)
HE WEARS Shirt (�115), cardigan (�215), shorts (POA) and belt (POA) all from Dunhill; shoes (�99) from Fins; tie (�60) from Club Monaco at Browns; sunglasses, Persol (model's own)

(above) HE WEARS Blazer (�400), denim shirt (�85) and shorts (�80) all from Hackett; shoes (�115) from Fins for Bill Amberg

(above) SHE WEARS White tuxedo jacket (�267) from Rika; sheer maxi skirt (�249) from Antipodean; red leather clutch (�283) from JJasMB at Liberty; white heels (�650) from Gianmarco Lorenzi; gold ring (�60) from Pebble

(above) SHE WEARS Chiffon dress (�355) from See by Chloe at Harvey Nichols; chain necklace (�698) and wooden bangles (from �150) from Erickson Beamon; brass pendant (�145) from Pebble
HE WEARS Blazer (�400) and shirt (�100) both from Hackett; yellow denim shorts (�65) from Lee; shoes (�189) from Skive

(above) Ocean Village

HE WEARS Striped jumper (�180), green bow tie (�65) and espadrilles (�40) all from Hackett; pink shorts (�95) from Lacoste

These days it's hard to believe that Gibraltar's land border with Spain only reopened in 1985. Effectively sealed off from the rest of Europe for 16 years, Gibraltar became heavily reliant on the Ministry of Defence in London for its income. But as the ministry began to reduce its presence, Gibraltar was forced to adapt, developing into a respected finance centre with a firm regulatory framework. Financial services, shipping and internet gaming have become big business in Gibraltar, so much so that the words "economic crisis" simply do not form part of the local Llanito vernacular.

Every month seems to mark the inauguration of some sparkling new glass- fronted office block or a bistro offering the best in Mediterranean haute cuisine. Restaurants such as Bruno's in Ocean Village and the fashionable 14 on the Quay on the Queensway Quay marina pander to the extravagant palates of the wealthy entrepreneurs who have made Gibraltar their home. The combination of a mild Mediterranean climate and low personal taxes is time-tested, a winning formula.

But recent years have seen Gibraltar become more than just a convenient stepping stone to the millionaires' playgrounds of Marbella or Puerto Banus, an hour's drive away. The Rock is now a serious relocation option for Europe's elite, who hungrily lap up floor space in the incessant, recession-defying stream of extravagant deluxe apartment blocks that continue to be built.

Ocean Village leads the way, combining high-end residential accommodation with a plush marina and stylish restaurants and bars. It is the vision of property entrepreneur Greg Butcher, who first spotted the potential to regenerate Gibraltar's waterfront. When launched in 2003, it became the fastest selling large-scale residential project in the Rock's history. Just last year it won Best High-Rise Development in the European Residential Property Awards. It has a state- of-the-art casino with bingo and sports betting, all under one roof.

It's easy to get caught up with Butcher's vision: a smiling couple staring out at the sunset from the balcony of their million- pound duplex apartment, their lavish yacht berthed below. But you don't actually need to be in the jet set to enjoy Ocean Village's luxury surroundings. Drinking and dining out is still far more affordable in Gibraltar than in most European cities and there are hotels to suit every pocket and predilection.

You don't even need to own a boat to get out on the water - firms such as Tomboy Sailing provide luxury skippered charter experiences around the Bay of Gibraltar and beyond, with Champagne and canap�s on hand. Tomboy's owner David Campbell says there is plenty of take-up on trips such as their two-day break to Marina Smir in Morocco, which includes a night in a five-star luxury hotel and spa.

Gibraltar's growing popularity among the yachting elite was evident at last year's Gibraltar International Boat Show. Ocean Village used the show to unveil 64 sheltered premier berths up to 35 metres in length, catering to the increasing demand from luxury yacht owners.

All of this high living is being fuelled by Gibraltar's financial independence. Sterling is the primary currency, but Gibraltar does not share the UK's economic woes. It has low public debt, a high budget surplus and it continues to adapt, with a flat 10% company tax introduced on 1 January, designed to bring Gibraltar into the mainstream of European finance centres but keep it fiscally competitive. What's more, the World Trade Centre - an exciting �30m development set to offer 3,000m2 of office space - and a new air terminal ready in 2012, demonstrate the territory's bullish growth plans. Cap this all off with 300 days of sunshine per year and it's no wonder that Europe's jet set are finally discovering the allure of this little piece of Britain.

Gibraltar Trivia

May: The Strait is a wonderful place for ornithological study, with year-round migration of literally hundreds of species of birds and maximum activity in the spring.
April: Locals have their own language called Llanito - basically a combination of Spanish and English with some Genoese and local words thrown in.
March: Casemates Square at the end of Main Street was once the centre of public executions.