Pillars of Hercules
Pillars of Hercules
3.6
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.6
129 reviews
Excellent
34
Very good
41
Average
34
Poor
13
Terrible
7
Sarah b
Lytham St Anne's, UK2,360 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We enjoyed the view here. We saw a macaque here and also watched a pair of Barbary Partridges from nearby.
Good point to set off walking from (£5 walking ticket required to walk into the reserve), however it is possible to take photos from before the ticket booth.
Clean toilets here too.
Good point to set off walking from (£5 walking ticket required to walk into the reserve), however it is possible to take photos from before the ticket booth.
Clean toilets here too.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mattfrost216
Ipswich, UK449 contributions
Jun 2021
This isn't anything overly special. Quite croweded but some good views - but nothing that you wont get (or get better) from up the rock. The pillars themselves are a nice photo oppertunity but nothing out of the ordinary. Long walk away from rest of the rock attractions too so be prepared to walk a long way if coming for these outside of tour.
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TartanWanderer
England, UK4,982 contributions
May 2021 • Family
Getting here is easy for able bodied folk. Not possible in wheelchairs as too steep. Great views across to Spain and Africa.
Written June 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
permia
Ireland68,344 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
It symbolises the tenth of twelve labours of Hercules, one of the great Grecian myths.
He brought the cattle of Geryon this way and in the process created the strait, with Gibraltar on the north side and Jebel Musa on the south. Thus the two Pillars.
As well as honouring an enthralling myth, the viewpoint gives superb vistas all around.
He brought the cattle of Geryon this way and in the process created the strait, with Gibraltar on the north side and Jebel Musa on the south. Thus the two Pillars.
As well as honouring an enthralling myth, the viewpoint gives superb vistas all around.
Written March 16, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda R
Nottingham, UK750 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Having walked up the steep hill to see the Pillars of Hercules we were disappointed not to see it. The monument was sitting in a hole on the side of the platform waiting for refurbishment before being placed on the viewing platform. There should be a notice at the bottom of the hill to let you know there is nothing to see at this moment in time. We did ask the security staff if they knew when the refurbishment would take place, they were unable to tell us.
Written July 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Svenedin
Croydon, Surrey16 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
The vast majority of visitors will stop here for a brief moment, look at the view and then zoom off in their taxi or minibus. This is shame as it is the starting point for the hike round the back of the rock via the Mediterranean Steps.
To do the Mediterranean Steps via public transport:
Take Bus number 2 from town towards Europa Point. The bus travels up Europa Road and past the Rock Hotel. Get off the bus at the stop nearest Windmill Hill Road and walk up Windmill Hill Road (steeply upwards). The road passes the Europa Retreat Centre and comes to the Pillars Of Hercules. From there seek the small (very easily missed) path off to the right up some steps to the Mediterranean Steps path. There is small wooden information hut where staff can point out the path if you cannot find it.
The hike then goes around the back of The Rock of Gibraltar which is quiet with stunning sea views. The ascent is very steep via numerous steps. Eventually you will end up at O'Hara's Battery and from there you can walk to the cable car top station past many Gibraltar macaques. You can see lots of interesting plants and birds in the nature reserve including the Barbary Partridge. There are numerous remnants of military installations and disused gun batteries.
The are many ways down from the top (including the cable car if you are tired) which will take you the upper town or on towards to the Great Siege Tunnels.
The entire hike from Pillars of Hercules to top of the Rock and on to the Siege Tunnels and down and time for some of the attractions and a picnic will take a whole day.
Tip: take water, sun cream and some food. Do not feed the macaques or get too close; they bite. If having a picnic (there are various picnic tables at viewpoints) do not leave food on the table or it will be stolen by the macaques. Some routes down are extremely steep flights of steps especially the Moorish Wall/Charles V Wall -there are more gentle, but longer alternatives. Do not attempt this hike in bad weather as the steps could be slippery and dangerous. You do need a head for heights!
To do the Mediterranean Steps via public transport:
Take Bus number 2 from town towards Europa Point. The bus travels up Europa Road and past the Rock Hotel. Get off the bus at the stop nearest Windmill Hill Road and walk up Windmill Hill Road (steeply upwards). The road passes the Europa Retreat Centre and comes to the Pillars Of Hercules. From there seek the small (very easily missed) path off to the right up some steps to the Mediterranean Steps path. There is small wooden information hut where staff can point out the path if you cannot find it.
The hike then goes around the back of The Rock of Gibraltar which is quiet with stunning sea views. The ascent is very steep via numerous steps. Eventually you will end up at O'Hara's Battery and from there you can walk to the cable car top station past many Gibraltar macaques. You can see lots of interesting plants and birds in the nature reserve including the Barbary Partridge. There are numerous remnants of military installations and disused gun batteries.
The are many ways down from the top (including the cable car if you are tired) which will take you the upper town or on towards to the Great Siege Tunnels.
The entire hike from Pillars of Hercules to top of the Rock and on to the Siege Tunnels and down and time for some of the attractions and a picnic will take a whole day.
Tip: take water, sun cream and some food. Do not feed the macaques or get too close; they bite. If having a picnic (there are various picnic tables at viewpoints) do not leave food on the table or it will be stolen by the macaques. Some routes down are extremely steep flights of steps especially the Moorish Wall/Charles V Wall -there are more gentle, but longer alternatives. Do not attempt this hike in bad weather as the steps could be slippery and dangerous. You do need a head for heights!
Written January 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wheldons
York, UK165 contributions
Oct 2019
Missed this on our walk of the rock, took a bus and another up hill walk to the monument, a lovely monument and mostly very nice views, except for the apartment building built right in front
The cleanest toilets on the rock
The cleanest toilets on the rock
Written October 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SheltieOwner
London, Canada155 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We stopped by here with a small tour on our travels. Not worth making a special trip for though. The sign on the statue says the ancient world of Gibraltar was one of the legendary pillars created by Hercules.
Written July 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank M
Reinach, Switzerland5,955 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
In reference to Greek mythology (Heracles) or in Roman mythology (Hercules). The "pillars" flank the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. The Northern one (Calpe Mons) is the rock of Gibraltar but the Southern one in North Africa is apparently disputed although on (ironically) is on Spanish territory. This was the first stop on our 35€ minibus tour. Basically it's just a viewing point -where you can see the coast of North Africa.
Written January 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David T
Newport, UK22 contributions
Aug 2018
Fantastic views over the Gibralta Strait, towards North Africa and the coast of Southern Spain. Best reached by taxi which will take you onto St Micaheals Cace and the top of the rock.
Written August 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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