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We all know Spain for its beautiful coastline, vibrant metropolises where modern urbanism meets tradition and architectural beauty, and, well, that irresistible Southern European flair: there simply are no better cobbled old towns and $5 tapas.
Which some may not However, know that Spain is not limited to just Europe: although this may sound strange, there are a number of Spanish areas outside the old continent that is each part of Spain such as Madrid, Barcelona and the like.
One of them is Ceuta, one autonomous city convenient about the Mediterranean in Africa!
You read that right: there’s a Spanish-ruled exclave on the northern coast of the neighboring continent, and if you’re looking for those crowd-free beaches and unexpected adventures, you’ll want to read this:
Where is Ceuta even?
Unless you zoom in on a specific area on the map of Morocco, you’re unlikely to notice the tiny 7-square-kilometre peninsula along the Mediterranean Sea, separated from the Muslim-majority country by a thin, barely noticeable border line.
That’s Ceuta, a fortified port city of Spainalthough it shares land borders with an African country.
The history of the Mediterranean is a long – and for some unpleasant – history, with many empires rising and falling and borders being redrawn.
Ceuta itself was founded somewhere in the United States 1st millennium BCwhen the Carthaginian and Roman cultures were at their peak.
It was subsequently conquered by a succession of peoples, from the Moors to the Portuguese and the Spanish.
Despite its geographical location, the Spanish have maintained their power since 1668, prior to the establishment of the modern Moroccan state. The country has therefore been geopolitically aligned with Southern Europe for 356 years.
It is, as we like to call it, a little piece of Spain in North Africa:
A piece of Spain in the north of Africa?
Ceuta’s citizens are mainly ethnically Spanish and devout Christians, with a significant minority of Muslims and even some Sephardic Jews. They have Spanish passports, and to the casual observer this could be any other town in sun-drenched Andalusia.
From the historic city center to the beautiful coastline, Ceuta meets all requirements And then what.
The harbor area is dominated by the Royals Walls, a series of ramparts with a sea-filled moat that have protected the city since 962 AD and are now a major tourist attraction.
Walking the cafe-filled centeryou’ll probably come across the House of Dragons – no, it’s not related to the HBO hit show, but it is a Moorish Revivalist ensemble topped with menacing bronze dragons that could easily belong in fictional Dorne.
The leafy Plaza de Africa (or Africa Square) is the beating heart of Ceuta, flanked by local businesses and churches, such as the Renaissance Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, which dates back to the 16th century, and the yellow-washed Shrine of Our Lady of Africa.
Just a 3-minute walk from the square, Paseo de las Palmeras is a boardwalk lined with palm trees and oceanfront developments––In addition to the great choice of bars and restaurants it offers, you will also find the perfectly preserved Arab baths from the 12th century.
The columns and mosaics inside have stood the test of time virtually intact, and not visiting is simply not an option if you have to free enter.
Incredible North African food
Speaking of restaurants, no trip to Ceuta is complete without a casual Moroccan dinner OASISa relaxed eatery overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar, serving North African delicacies such as beef couscous, lamb tagine and fresh pastillas––chicken pie sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon.
Ceuta is an exclave on the Mediterranean Sea, so that’s no surprise seafood tops the culinary offering: For delicious grilled octopus, freshly caught fish and $3 beer, go to El Muelle––as for the best mariscos in town, El Camarón is not to be missed.
Other attractions include ‘Hercules and the Union of the World’, a monumental sculpture symbolizing Ceuta’s unique status between Europe and Africa, the pond-dotted Mediterranean Maritime Park, a recreational complex dotted with artificial saltwater lakes, and Monte Hacho:
Incredible coastal walks
This popular hike leads to a fortress and rewards climbers with panoramic sea views across Ceuta, Morocco and mainland Spain.
Ceuta is the perfect destination for putting on your walking shoes and escape into nature: it may be small, but there is no shortage of nature reserves.
The trek from ‘Puerto’ to the Portuguese-built Desnarigado Castle visits pristine stretches of Mediterranean vegetation, hidden coves and scenic viewpoints, and it is a circular route of 10.5 miles that takes just over 3 hours.
If you are a mountain bike enthusiast, this is not to be missed famous cycle path runs along the perimeter of Ceuta’s territory, covering a distance of 25 miles with an elevation gain of 3,631 feet.
Are you coming for the beaches instead? No pasa nada!
Unspoilt Mediterranean beaches
Ceuta has beautiful swimming spots, especially Playa de la Ribera, a sand and gravel area along turquoise waters, Playa del Chorrillo, bordering the sea fortifications, and Playa de Calamocarro, a pleasant surprise at the end of a scenic, hour-long nature trail starting with the city.
Being part of Africa, Ceuta experiences warmer temperatures year-round, ranging from 70°F to 73°F in the fall.
Despite being beautiful and sunny in the fall and winter, and even playing host to a handful of beachfront hotels, Ceuta is largely crowd-free:
Of Spain’s territories in Africa, including the trendy Canary Islands and fellow North African exclave Melilla, Ceuta is the second least visited destinationwhere, according to the Spanish, around 65,000 guests would be welcomed in 2023 National Institute of Statistics.
A majority of these will come from Madrid and nearby Andalusia, so international tourists are an important factor even smaller percentage.
Let’s rephrase that: this is one of those coastal gems on the Mediterranean pristine beachesbeautiful nature trails and historical sites that the tens of millions of tourists who flock to Spain every year have yet to discover.
For that reason, Ceuta remains affordable – and much more hospitable to foreigners – than its overtouristed counterparts:
How expensive is Ceuta to visit?
An overnight stay at the Oh nice Revellin Ceutaa three-star accommodation within walking distance of all the major attractions, costs $67 per night, while the iconic Parador de Ceutaa resort attached to the historic walls costs from $91 to book.
Cheap food is just as plentiful: A simple lunch menu including a drink costs an average of $12.28 in a cheap restaurant, as reported by Expatistanand for those on a strict budget, combo meals at fast food chains start from $6.43.
Is Ceuta safe to visit?
Since Ceuta is in Africa, how safe is it to visit?
The answer is terribly safe: it may be on a completely different continent, but as we noted earlier, this is a Spanish territory, governed by Spanish law and protected by Spanish law enforcement officers.
There is a heavily guarded border line separating Ceuta from Morocco, and no one gets in or out, or even travels further into mainland Spain, without being screened first.
How to get to Ceuta?
Last but not least, the most important question of all: how to reach Ceuta from mainland Spain?
Although the city has a small heliport, this is the easiest and most convenient way to travel by ferry from Algecirason the Andalusian coast, to Ceuta.
Adult tickets cost from only $31.27and the crossing takes between 1h and 1h30 depending on the route chosen and weather conditions, and you can book it directly through the carrier Balearia’s official website.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
