Catalan Bay

Catalan Bay is unlike anywhere else in Gibraltar. Tucked into the East Side of the Rock, it is a traditional fishing village that has retained its small-community character despite being just a few kilometres from the town centre. The village is said to have been settled by Genoese fishermen in the 18th century, and some of the colourful cottage-style houses that line the seafront reflect that heritage. The beach at Catalan Bay is one of Gibraltar's most popular, a sandy arc facing the open Mediterranean rather than the Bay of Gibraltar.

Living in Catalan Bay is a commitment to a particular lifestyle. There is a tunnel through the Rock that connects the East Side to the West Side, making the journey to the town centre and border manageable, but it is not the kind of place you can nip out for a pint of milk at 10pm without some planning. The local community is tight-knit and long-established, which can make it feel welcoming to those who settle in and slightly closed to those who remain transient.

The rental market in Catalan Bay is limited because the village is small and not heavily developed. Properties that do come up tend to be either the traditional village-style houses or more modern apartments built on the slopes above the bay. Rents command a premium over comparable properties elsewhere because the seaside setting and village character are genuinely scarce. For those who love being by the sea and want a community rather than a postcode, Catalan Bay is one of Gibraltar's hidden gems.