Ceuta
6 places in and around Ceuta, 1 of them among my favourite picks.
Chapter One
Places in Ceuta
6 places I chose, arranged in chapters. A gold star marks one of my favourite picks.
Murallas Reales de Ceuta
A system of walls and a water-filled sea moat that cuts across Ceuta's isthmus from sea to sea, built on the foundations of the Umayyad and Marinid walls, then extended by the Portuguese and the Spanish. Inside it is an art museum and walkways along the walls, and boats pass through the moat beneath them.
- Easy to reach
- Mostly flat ground with steps up to the upper walkways; suitable for families. Ceuta is small and can be visited on foot and by bus.
My tip
Entry is free, but some parts need advance booking; start from the nearby tourist office. 5 minutes on foot from the ferry port for boats arriving from Algeciras.
Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo
A seawater pool complex designed by the artist César Manrique on Ceuta's seafront: lagoons, waterfalls, palms and small islands. The most beautiful place for families in the city in summer.
- Easy to reach
- Flat, well-kept ground, with restaurants and cafés inside; a 10-minute walk from the Royal Walls.
My tip
A symbolic entrance fee; umbrellas and loungers are rented separately; the water is salty and cold. There are no separate areas for women.
Mezquita Muley el Mehdi
One of Ceuta's most beautiful mosques, built between 1937 and 1940 CE in a Moroccan-Andalusi style, with an ornate minaret on Avenida de África. It is named after Muley el Mehdi, the Sultan's deputy in northern Morocco at the time.
- Easy to reach
- In the city centre on flat ground; near the Royal Walls and the shopping district.
My tip
Visits for non-worshippers are possible about 20 minutes before the prayers, dressed respectfully; pray the Friday prayer here if you are in the city.
Baños Árabes de Ceuta
Remains of an Islamic bath from the 12th and 13th centuries on Ceuta's seafront, with its cold, warm and hot chambers. A small testimony to the Almohad and Marinid city.
- Easy to reach
- On the flat promenade near the port; easy for all ages.
My tip
It opens for short hours; ask the tourist office about the timing before you go. The visit takes minutes and is free.
Mirador de Isabel II
A viewpoint on the mountain west of Ceuta, overlooking the city and its isthmus, Gibraltar, the Andalusian coast and Jebel Musa. A rare view of two continents in a single scene.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- A mountain road by car, and the viewpoint is flat; hardly any walking.
My tip
Go up just before sunset by car or taxi; there is a small café there. Combine it with a tour around Monte Hacho.
Monte Hacho – Mirador de San Antonio
Monte Hacho is Ceuta's eastern peninsula, crowned by a military fort (closed), with a ring road around it offering views over the strait. The San Antonio viewpoint is its most famous spot, with its gardens and its view over the port.
- Easy to reach · needs a car
- Paved road and parking at the viewpoint; light walking. Exposed to the wind.
My tip
Take the ring road by car (about 10 km) and stop at the viewpoints; the fort is a military area, so do not approach it. Good for a walk in the morning.
Chapter Two
When to go to Ceuta
Pick a month to see its weather and events.
Among my best months An event or holiday
January
No events listed in January. A quiet month, and prices are often lower.