Gibraltar’s most important street
Gibraltar welcomes millions of tourists each year, who come to enjoy its fine cuisine, natural beauty, and sporting activities. Many of them wander along Main Street, Irish Town, Engineer Lane, and the quirky back streets of Gibraltar’s shopping district, an ideal place to shop at some of the most competitive prices in the Mediterranean.
History of Main Street
Gibraltar’s main street has a history dating back to the 14th century. There are references to it, when in 1552 the ‘Gates of Africa‘, now Southport Gates, were built. Today, Main Street attracts millions of visitors each year, known for its duty-free shopping. With literally hundreds of shops to browse, visitors have a wide selection of goods to choose from. Whether visiting Gibraltar to soak up the sun, enjoy some English delicacies, or sample some fine cuisine, the vast majority of them will undoubtedly head to Main Street, the shopping district, which is one of the best value-for-money shopping areas known in the Mediterranean.
Most of Gibraltar’s retail shops are located on Main Street. It runs through the pedestrianized Old Town, from Casemates Square to the Southport Gates. It runs almost the entire length of the town, its buildings displaying a mixture of Andalusian, Moorish, Portuguese, Genoese, and British architecture. Alongside the more traditional shops, most of them at street level, visitors will appreciate the big-name brands and chain shops, interlaced with souvenir and craft shops. The upper floors generally provide residential accommodation or office space for local businesses.
Shopping on Main Street
Shops along this pedestrianized street sell just about everything from cosmetics, perfumery, jewelry, designer eyewear, tobacco and spirits, bedding, and electronics. That said, many high-quality local and family-run businesses will sell you everything from duty-free perfumes and name-brand cameras to stuffed monkey souvenirs.
As early as the 18th century, merchants, traders, and shopkeepers established their businesses in Gibraltar, many of which are still run by the direct descendants of the families who founded them. Gibraltar’s geographical location was nothing less than perfect for trade. Merchants of the time would come to the port and trade. This makes Main Street all the more unique, when compared to other commercial centers in other parts of the world, because of its historical transformation over time. Gibraltar’s population has evolved through a mixture of Spanish, Arab, Portuguese, Italian, and Jewish cultures, giving it a striking and intriguing experience unlike anywhere else in the world.
Tourists can enjoy 21% savings on luxury goods. Perfumes, watches, jewelry, electronics, software, designer clothes, and sunglasses. The local currency is the Gibraltar Pound, equivalent to the British Pound, so there is no need for visitors from the UK to exchange currency, even when using their bank cards.
Behind Casemates Square, you will find the Public Market. This fantastic covered market was opened in 1929 and you will discover many local delicacies, a wide selection of fruit and vegetables, a large assortment of fish, and a variety of other specialties, which are sure to pique your interest.
Main Street Gibraltar will offer you a wide variety of items at such wonderful prices that you won’t know what to buy first. Stretching out in many places, adjoining other streets and small alleys, full of history and intriguing charm, Main Street lives up to its nickname, the Shopping Centre of the Mediterranean.
What to see in Main Street
Along the street is John Macintosh Square, where the Gibraltar Town Hall is located. If you walk out onto the street right next to the Town Hall, you will see the British War Memorial, where a monument sculpted in Carrara marble and two cannons preside over the site.
Returning to Main Street if we continue walking we will see on the left the Catholic Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned, further along on the right the Anglican Church Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, and once there if we walk along George Lane Street we will find St. Andrews, of the Church of Scotland.
Continuing along Main Street, we come to King’s Chapel and the Convent or Governor’s House.
At the end of the street, walking a little further, we can stroll through Trafalgar Cemetery, which commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar. And close by is the cable car.
Renting an apartment in the heart of Gibraltar through a professional real estate agent
One of the advantages for the tenant of using the professional services offered by estate agents is the time savings, especially if you are out of town or do not have the time available to do a search on your own.
Also, the real estate agent carefully checks each flat he or she manages before renting it out to ensure that it meets the criteria for habitability, which avoids surprises for the tenant once the lease is signed.
CENTURY 21 GIBRALTAR has been providing real estate services since 2012. It provides a full range of Property and Estate Management Services including Property Sales and Rentals, Commercial/Retail, New Development, and Investor Support Services. We are part of one of the world’s largest networks of estate agents, with around 8,000 offices and 111,000 sales professionals spanning 81 countries worldwide yet we bring a wealth of local knowledge
CENTURY 21 GIBRALTAR is delighted to offer a Penthouse Apartment in the heart of town, very close to Main Street, which has been refurbished to high standards. Panoramic Surrounding terrace, with views towards the rock and the west. with lift access.
Viewing is highly recommended.
Contact CENTURY 21 GIBRALTAR‘s rental specialist, Francis Hormigo, today, he can assist you in English and Spanish.
Tel: +350 56523000 – Email: rentals@century21gibraltar.com – Click HERE for more information
