On the Upper Rock, the "Barbary apes" (actually macaque monkeys) sanctuary is always a tourist-pleaser. Europe´s only wild monkeys, now numbering around 300, and living in the Gilbraltar Nature Reserve, are all cared for by the colonial government. 

They originally came from North Africa centuries ago (we spotted their cousins on a visit to a Moroccan nature reserve a couple of years ago), possibly coming with the Berbers who first entered Iberia in 711, beginning the conquest of the Iberian peninsula (another theory is that they came in via subterranean tunnels connecting Morocco to lower St. Michael´s Cave). 

Despite their north African origin, the folklore surrounding the macaques in the 20th century has been identified with the British, including the belief that as long as these monkeys endure in Gibraltar, so will British rule (in fact, in 1942 during World War II, Winston Churchill ordered their number - which had dwindled to just seven - to be replentished from Morocco and Algeria). 

Regardless, they delight visitors - but you have to be careful, because they´ll swipe your belongings and food. And by the way, it´s illegal to feed them or even touch them (plus if you do try touching them or even staring at them, they can get aggressive).