ceuta tourist map

Map of Ceuta — Best attractions, restaurants, and transportation info

What’s on this map.

We’ve made the ultimate tourist map of Ceuta, Spain for travelers! Check out Ceuta’s top things to do, attractions, restaurants, and major transportation hubs all in one interactive map.

Visiting Ceuta? See our Ceuta Trip Planner.

How to use the map

Use this interactive map to plan your trip before and while in Ceuta. Learn about each place by clicking it on the map or read more in the article below. Here’s more ways to perfect your trip using our Ceuta map:

• Explore the best restaurants, shopping, and things to do in Ceuta by categories
• Get directions in Google Maps to each place
• Export all places to save to your Google Maps
• Plan your travels by turning on metro and bus lines
• Create a Wanderlog trip plan (link to create a trip plan for the city) that keep all the places on the map in your phone
• Print a physical map to bring it on your trip

Top 16 attractions in Ceuta

Pl. de áfrica, los hércules y la unión del mundo.

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Playa de la Ribera

Casa de los dragones, museo de la basilica tardorromana.

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Shrine of Our Lady of Africa

Parque marítimo del mediterráneo, military museum of the legion, playa del chorillo, fort of el desnarigado, ceuta park mall, cala del desnarigado, park san amaro, royal walls, puerta califal.

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Monte Hacho

Top 10 restaurants in ceuta, oasis restaurant, d'armando pizzería, meson restaurante alberto ceuta, restaurante el lucas, restaurante centro gallego ceuta, esquina iberica, restaurante el velero, el nuevo varadero, transportation in ceuta, nearby airports, málaga-costa del sol airport, highways and major roads.

• E-5 / A-7 Autovía del Mediterráneo
• N-352 Carretera de la Costa de Almería
• A-92 Autovía de Almería
• A-44 Autovía de Sierra Nevada
• A-45 Autovía de Málaga
• A-49 Autovía del Quinto Centenario
• A-4 Autovía del Sur
• N-IV Carretera Nacional IV
• N-630 Carretera Nacional 630
• N-431 Carretera Nacional 431

Popular road trips from Ceuta

What's the weather like in ceuta.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Ceuta for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Ceuta in January
• Weather in Ceuta in February
• Weather in Ceuta in March
• Weather in Ceuta in April
• Weather in Ceuta in May
• Weather in Ceuta in June
• Weather in Ceuta in July
• Weather in Ceuta in August
• Weather in Ceuta in September
• Weather in Ceuta in October
• Weather in Ceuta in November
• Weather in Ceuta in December

All road trips from Ceuta

• Ceuta to Barcelona drive
• Ceuta to Madrid drive
• Ceuta to Malaga drive
• Ceuta to Marrakech drive
• Ceuta to Marbella drive
• Ceuta to Casablanca drive
• Ceuta to Rabat drive
• Ceuta to Chefchaouen drive
• Ceuta to Guia drive
• Ceuta to Tetouan drive
• Ceuta to Melilla drive

Explore nearby places

• Restinga Smir
• South District
• Gibraltar Town
• La Linea de la Concepcion
• Los Barrios
• Castellar de la Frontera
• Pueblo Nuevo de Guadiaro
• San Martin del Tesorillo
• Puerto de la Duquesa
• San Luis de Sabinillas
• Zahara de los Atunes
• Jimena de la Frontera

All related maps of Ceuta

• Map of Fnideq
• Map of Restinga Smir
• Map of South District
• Map of Sandy Bay
• Map of Gibraltar Town
• Map of Westside
• Map of Tarifa
• Map of Algeciras
• Map of Martil
• Map of La Linea de la Concepcion
• Map of Palmones
• Map of Tetouan
• Map of San Roque
• Map of Los Barrios
• Map of Sotogrande
• Map of Facinas
• Map of Tangier
• Map of Castellar de la Frontera
• Map of Pueblo Nuevo de Guadiaro
• Map of Guadiaro
• Map of Bolonia
• Map of San Martin del Tesorillo
• Map of Puerto de la Duquesa
• Map of San Luis de Sabinillas
• Map of Zahara de los Atunes
• Map of Manilva
• Map of Jimena de la Frontera
• Map of Estepona
• Map of Casares
• Map of Barbate

Ceuta throughout the year

• Ceuta in January
• Ceuta in February
• Ceuta in March
• Ceuta in April
• Ceuta in May
• Ceuta in June
• Ceuta in July
• Ceuta in August
• Ceuta in September
• Ceuta in October
• Ceuta in November
• Ceuta in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Ceuta?

Get inspired for your trip to Ceuta with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

• 1-Day Ceuta Itinerary
• 2-Day Ceuta Itinerary
• 3-Day Ceuta Itinerary
• 4-Day Ceuta Itinerary
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Ceuta is one of a handful of Spanish possessions on the coastline of Morocco. Located on a peninsula jutting out into the Mediterranean, it offers a compact dose of fantastic architecture, interesting museums, excellent food, a relaxing maritime park and bracing nature walks. The city is particularly beautiful at night, a skyline of artfully lit buildings and bursting palms.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Ceuta. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Plaza de África

This is the charming heart of Ceuta, with manicured tropical plantings, a square of freshly renovated cobblestone pathways and some of the city’s finest…

Murallas Reales

The most impressive sight in Ceuta is the medieval Royal Walls, which date back over 1000 years and have been passed from Arab to Portuguese to Spanish…

Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo

This creative maritime park is a real hit in the summer and perfect for families. One of several parks developed by the artist and architect César…

Museo de los Muralles Reales

This two-floor gallery houses temporary art exhibitions lasting four years each. Squeezed out of the fort's unforgiving architecture, it's a beautifully…

Museo de la Legión

This intriguing museum is dedicated to and run by the Spanish Legion, an army unit set up in 1920 that played a pivotal role in Franco’s republican army…

Casa de los Dragones

The Casa de los Dragones on Plaza de los Reyes is a fantastic dream that has entered the real world. This former home is an extraordinary example of…

Museo de la Basilica Tardorromana

This superbly executed underground museum is integrated into the architectural remains of an ancient basilica discovered during street work in the 1980s,…

Museo Histórico Militar

Named after a noseless pirate who landed here in 1417, Ceuta's Desnarigado military museum is jam-packed with memorabilia from Ceuta's many battles. An…

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• Best Things To Do In...

The Best Things to Do in Ceuta, Spain

Located on the northwestern tip of Africa, the Spanish enclave of Ceuta lies across the Strait of Gibraltar from mainland Spain, and has historically provided a link between Africa and Europe. Visit the city to explore its 17th-century cathedral, preserved Arab baths and more.

From the Mirador San Antonio, from which Spain itself can be seen, to the Murallas Reales (Royal Walls), which jut out to sea, standing impressively over the edge of the city, Ceuta has some fantastic sights that are well worth checking out. Culture Trip has picked the best things to do on a trip to Ceuta.

1. Cathedral de la Asunción

Work commenced on Ceuta ’s principal Catholic church in 1686, on a site once occupied by the city’s great mosque (of which nothing remains, sadly). But owing to the Great Siege of Ceuta (1694–1720), during which the structure was used as an army barracks, the cathedral wasn’t officially opened until 1726. Inside, key features include the Capillo del Santisimo’s Baroque altarpiece and a small museum housing religious artwork.

2. Casa de los Dragones

Historical Landmark

Keep your eyes pointed upward on a stroll around the centre of Ceuta, and you can’t miss the “Dragon House”. Built for the city’s (very lucky) mayor and his brother between 1900–1905, its stately and eclectic facade was originally topped by four bronze dragons, which looked as if they were ready to swoop down on pedestrians below. The fire-breathing four were dismounted and lost in the 1920s but were replaced by fibreglass versions in 2006.

4. Murallas Reales

Ceuta’s formidable defensive walls have existed in one form or another since the fifth century. The muscular labyrinth we see today, though, dates largely from the 1540s, when the city’s Portuguese occupants also built a seawater moat and drawbridge to discourage attackers. Subsequently, the Murallas Reales (Royal Walls) were reinforced and rebuilt throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, especially after the Great Siege of Ceuta finally ended in 1720.

5. Museo de los Murallas Reales

Art lovers visiting Ceuta will want to check out the Museo de los Murallas Reales, a stunning contemporary space carved into the centuries-old fortifications. Since 1999, this has been the historical setting for the city’s fine-arts collection as well as temporary exhibitions of works by local and international artists.

6. Mirador San Antonio

To feast your eyes on a couple of continents at once, head to the spectacularly appointed Mirador San Antonio. Found at the top of Monte Hacho, this small square not only offers a great view of Ceuta itself, it also provides unforgettable perspectives on Morocco ’s dramatic coastline and the dark hulk of Gibraltar’s eponymous rock, directly across the Strait of Gibraltar.

7. Plaza de África

Architectural Landmark

Located just a 10-minute walk from the port, Plaza de África provides a great introduction to Ceuta if you’re arriving by boat. As well as being surrounded by impressive architecture, its ambience is an intriguing blend of Moroccan and Andalusian elements. The memorial at its centre remembers soldiers who died in the Spanish-Moroccan territorial conflict of 1859–60.

8. Ceuta Central Market

Food Court, Spanish

To take the pulse of Ceuta’s street life, head to the central food market on Plaza de la Constitución. Like any Spanish mercado, it’s a noisy concentration of local activity, with stalls selling fresh meat and fish, spices and herbs, flowers, fruit and vegetables. There are also several no-frills bars inside, providing perfect spots to grab churros and chocolate or a caña (small beer) while you watch market life unfold.

9. Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo

For an unbeatable summer afternoon in Ceuta, head to the Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo. A hedonist’s playground on the seafront, it offers three saltwater swimming pools, a plethora of tapas bars, several restaurants serving a variety of international cuisine and palm-fringed sunbathing areas. This beautiful space is the work of architect César Manrique and is modelled on his famous Lago Martiánez in Tenerife .

10. Museo de la Legión

This museum’s subject is the Legión Española – a division of the Spanish Army founded in 1920, primarily to fight Spain’s territorial battles in North Africa. The permanent collection is spread over four rooms, displaying weaponry, uniforms, photographs and fascinating explanatory panels. There’s also a portrait of the Legión’s founder, José Milián Astray, a wild, eccentric soldier who lost both his right eye and left arm in action.

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• 1.2.1 Crossing the border
• 1.3 By plane
• 2 Get around
• 7.2 Mid-range
• 7.3 Splurge

Ceuta ( Arabic : سبتة (Sabtah), Berber: Sebta) is one of two Spanish exclaves in North Africa (the other one being Melilla ). The territory had several rulers before the Portuguese in 1415 took control of this city east of Tangier . Since 1580 it has been under Spanish administration but has the status of an autonomous city despite being located on the African continent almost directly south of the autonomous city of Gibraltar .

This exclave was in the spotlight in 2005 together with Melilla because hundreds of people were trying to climb over the border fence. Ceuta being part of Spain and therefore a safe haven for Africans made it a prime target for migrants. Today the border is heavily protected by the Guardia Civil. The European Union invested a lot of money to make illegal immigration more difficult.

Get in [ edit ]

By sea [ edit ].

Ceuta is easily accessible from mainland Spain (from Algeciras ) by high speed ferries. There are three companies operating the line: Balearia , FRS and Trasmediterranea with a total of over ten departures per day. Tickets for "pedestrians" cost €30-35 (as of Jun 2023) for one to one and a half hour trip. There are discounts for Ceuta residents and surcharges for bringing a car, motorcycle, or bicycle.

Cruise ships do visit, but only very occasionally and usually dock within a few blocks of the easily-walked town.

By road [ edit ]

By land, Ceuta is only accessible from Morocco . It is much easier to go to Ceuta from Tetouán rather than from Tangier, as most buses from Tangier go through Tetouan anyway before heading north to Fnideq.

From Tetouan get a grand taxi near the CTM station to the town closest to Ceuta - Fnideq , 15 dirham, 40 km, 1 hr; or catch a busy Tetouan's city bus #8, departures are every 15-30 min, sometimes up to 60 min. From Fnideq take a grand taxi to the border (5 dirham).

From Tangier 's bus station there are a half dozen direct buses to Fnideq (operated by Tingis Transport company), otherwise you'll have to make a detour via Tetouan.

Crossing the border [ edit ]

You will need a passport to cross 35.871115 -5.344544 2 the border with Morocco in either direction and official ID to book passage between mainland Spain and Ceuta. Rules for immigration are the same as for Spain. Ferry ticket salesmen have been known to sell tickets without requiring the proper identification, but security at the port going from Ceuta back to Algeciras can be much more strict. Spanish citizens and EU nationals (if their state issues them) need only their national ID cards, or DNI, but non-EU citizens will require their passports to return. Just because you are not leaving the country of Spain doesn't mean you shouldn't carry your passport.

The increased border security may result in minor waiting time. This could be longer if you travel in summer when the main holiday season in Spain and France starts and lots of families return to their homes in Morocco . Note that there seem to be separate queues for Moroccans and foreigners at many border crossings, ports, and security checks. If you find yourself stuck in an extremely slow moving queue and do not look Moroccan, try getting noticed by an officer. You may be ushered past the queue and processed very quickly.

If you are travelling by bus or taxi, you may consider taking an infrequent bus from the border to the city walls or even a little further downtown, €0.85. Line #7 terminates at the border. You can however, also walk along the busy coastal road for slightly more than 2 km and enjoy the views.

By plane [ edit ]

Unlike Melilla , Ceuta does not have an airport on Spanish territory. The closest airport is in Tetouan ( TTU  IATA ), Morocco (which naturally involves entering Morocco and crossing the border). A wider selection of flights is available from Tangier 's airport ( TNG  IATA ).

However, Ceuta has a heliport where Helity Copter Airlines operates 5 daily flights to Malaga , 30 min, €190 and 5 flights to Algeciras, 10 min, €90 (prices as of Jan 2023).

Get around [ edit ]

Ceuta is a tiny city. Best way around is by bike or on foot. The area near the waterfront and shopping area is nicely landscaped and attractive considering the heavy traffic supported.

There are taxis available. Make sure they use the meter or negotiate a price before you get in.

In addition to the standard taxi rates, they also offer a set 'recorrido turistico' (taxi tour) that lasts between 1 and 2 hours for a fixed fee of €38.40 (per car up to 4 passengers), which is displayed on the rate card stuck to the dashboard. It covers a loop around the whole of Ceuta.

There is a decent bus service run by Autobuses Hadu Almadraba S. L. [dead link] with modern and spacious buses running around the city with stops at the border with Morocco (look for a bus marked "Frontera"). All bus lines leave from "Plaza de la Constitución".

Talk [ edit ]

As Ceuta is part of Spain, Spanish is the official language and is spoken by the majority of the population. Arabic is spoken by the Moroccan minority.

See [ edit ]

The area hosts a few churches, and fortifications for those interested in Euro-African history and governmental relations. The centre and waterfront are remarkably clean and attractive with safe walking, and feature many stores and cafés.

Do [ edit ]

There are lovely beaches and desert areas to explore.

Buy [ edit ]

Ceuta is no longer a free port. The city was a free port before Spain joined the European Union in 1986; now it has a low-tax system. You will see that the economy of this city focuses on people transiting to/from Morocco and one-day shopping tourists. Offerings range from footpath hawkers and kiosks, to modest stores (with goods you'd expect from the types of visitors noted above), to fine jewellers and an El Corte Ingles department store.

Eat [ edit ]

In the city, there are two main types of cuisine: Moroccan and seafood, both of which can be found in many restaurants.

Moroccan cuisine includes many spices, herbs and combines sweet with salty. Specialities include couscous, tajines with raisons and almonds, and small pastries

Offerings range from pavement cafés and a drive-in McDonalds to a few fine restaurants.

Budget [ edit ]

All these are in the city centre:

• 35.887568 -5.314433 1 El Mentidero , Calle Queipo de Llano, 20 . Very good tapas and portions. Variety in fried fish. Skewers and grilled octopus very good. Very rich vegetable tempura and montaditos. Good atmosphere. Charming service staff. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 35.887845 -5.314906 2 Bar La Terraza de Menchu , Pje. Eduardo Gallardo, 13 . Despite being named a bar, they serve main dishes. Good for tapas, very tasty pinchitos. They make them in a barbecue right at the door of the terrace, and they bring them freshly made to your table. Make a reservation or you won't have a place. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 35.88653 -5.311252 3 El Mesón de Pepe , C. Teniente Muñoz Castellanos, 36 . A classic tavern. You eat well, spend little, fantastic atmosphere. Few tourists many locals. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 35.887871 -5.309799 4 Tapería El Rincón de Rosi , C. Daoiz, 5 . Excellent place for tapas. The waitress is charming and the owners too. Very good homemade food. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 35.886948 -5.307696 5 Mesón Pacho , C. Beatriz de Silva, 7 . Very good treatment and all kinds of tapas. The best cheeses and cold cuts. ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 35.888997 -5.31255 6 Hamburgueseria Pizzería Bagueteria Impacto , Av. Compañía de Mar . Super large and tasty black Angus hamburger and very rich and crispy potatoes. Good place to eat a sandwich. ( updated Aug 2022 )

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 35.88821 -5.319193 7 La Carantoña , Murallas Reales . Situated within the old medieval city walls. ( updated Sep 2022 )
• 35.890511 -5.308515 8 Restaurante la Barraca Marítima , Av. Compañía de Mar . ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 35.88844 -5.322443 9 Meson Restaurante Alberto Ceuta , Av. de África, Bloque 19 . ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 35.887997 -5.31956 10 Restaurante El Santuario , Av. San Francisco Javier, 3 . ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 35.887621 -5.310313 11 D'Armando , Pl. del Teniente Ruiz . Pizza restaurant ( updated Aug 2022 )
• 35.890335 -5.305987 12 El Nuevo Varadero , Av. Compañía de Mar . ( updated Aug 2022 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• 35.887173 -5.314122 13 Goichu , Calle Independencia, 15 . ( updated Aug 2022 )

Drink [ edit ]

Ceuta is a great city to go out. There are several pubs and clubs and a great tapas route.

Sleep [ edit ]

Go next [ edit ].

• Algeciras (Cádiz) in Spain
• Melilla — the second Spanish exclave on the northern coast of Morocco
• Tetouan in Morocco

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Ceuta (Province)

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Ceuta Cathedral

It is built over the ruins of the Main Mosque.…

Mediterranean Maritime Park

The Mediterranean Maritime Park is the posthumous work of César…

Murallas Reales Defensive Walls

This fortress has several parapets, moats, groynes and galleries.…

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Last Updated on February 19, 2024 by Talita

As a Spanish city located in Africa & surrounded by Morocco …. Ceuta is kinda weird. But that’s exactly why you should visit! Keep reading here to get an itinerary with all you need to know to visit Ceuta. Including maps, crossing the famed Strait of Gibraltar, accommodation, attractions, what to do…and more!

Fact: there is one part of Spain that shares a land border with Africa

Fun fact: the city is called Ceuta, it’s Spanish yet located in Africa and surrounded by Morocco…. and it’s a pleasant & easy place to visit!

Besides visiting just for the weird geopolitical situation, a trip to Ceuta will also give you the chance to:

• Take a ferry across the famed Strait of Gibraltar
• Set foot on the “African” continent
• Wander through the city’s 1,000+ year old city walls and fortresses
• Experience a unique mix of Spanish & North African culture

Table of Contents

• 1 How to use this Ceuta travel itinerary
• 2    Ceuta Fast Facts
• 3    When to visit Ceuta
• 4    How long to stay in Ceuta
• 5    How to get to Ceuta
• 6    How to get around Ceuta
• 7    Where to stay the night in Ceuta
• 8    What to do in Ceuta (Ceuta 1 day itinerary)
• 9    Have more time in Ceuta? Ceuta itinerary alternatives
• 10    Looking for your next stop? Where to go before or after Ceuta
• 11    Bonus tips for visiting Ceuta
• 12 Other Activities and tours to do in Ceuta
• 13 Planning your next trip?

How to use this Ceuta travel itinerary

As you’ll see below, our detailed itinerary is just for 1 full day in Ceuta – beginning with us arriving the night before via ferry, staying a single night, spending the next day seeing the city, and then catching the ferry back to the Spanish mainland later that evening.

Technically, this could be done as a day trip from mainland Spain since the ferry is only about 90 minutes each way. But I’d vote spending the night if you can.

Beyond this short itinerary, we’ll also give some alternatives for what to do if you’re extending your stay in Ceuta or your trip overall by heading to nearby destinations (you’ll find them at the bottom of the article).

   Ceuta Fast Facts

The What and the Where: Ceuta is an autonomous Spanish city and enclave that’s physically located on the African continent. It’s situated on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast and is just a short 8.7 miles (14 km) ferry ride away from the Spanish mainland.

How big is Ceuta? Pretty small! Just 7.14 square miles (18.5 square km) with a population of around 85,000.

What is Ceuta’s currency? Ceuta is technically a part of Spain and thus uses the Euro, just as Spain does.

What language do people speak in Ceuta? Spanish, just as they do on the Spanish mainland.

1.5 So, is Ceuta….Spanish? Or Moroccan? As you can imagine, this is a bit of a complex topic.

As far as political borders go, Ceuta is 100% a part of Spain. They speak Spanish, its citizens can move freely throughout Spain and the rest of the European Union, and there’s only a loose border control for people crossing from Spain to Ceuta (or vice versa).

But as far as geographical location, Ceuta is very much in Morocco and northern Africa. Ceuta is not physically connected to Spain by land at all and the only thing it shares a border with (besides the sea) is Morocco (with a 5.2 mi/8.4 km line separating the two).

Some people call Ceuta “Spain’s African Gibraltar” (Gibraltar is another strange geopolitical entity as a British territory physically located in Spain).

View from the top of Gibraltar’s famous “rock”

As you might expect, the city’s borders are heavily fortified – consisting of 10-foot barbed wire fences ringed with searchlights, movement sensors, and guard towers. Which also means that cross-continent immigration is a sensitive topic….so be cautious if you bring it up to anyone during your trip.

As if Ceuta isn’t unique enough on its own, there’s one more city in this exact same geopolitical situation — the Spanish enclave of Melilla. Melilla, like Ceuta, is also located on Morocco’s Mediterranean Coast. It’s about a 4-5 hour ferry from Málaga .

Naturally, Ceuta and Melilla have a pretty interesting background. They’ve been under Spanish control for more than 400 years (there were under Portugal’s before that), were once used as ports to fight piracy, and are where Spanish dictator Francisco Franco launched his civil war campaign in the 1930s.

Because of all this history, when Morocco became independent from France in 1956, Spain wouldn’t give the cities up.

Obviously, there’s debate from both sides. In an overly simplified way, Spain’s argument is that the city has been Spanish since before Morocco was officially a country. And Morocco also makes territorial claims stating that Ceuta and Melilla are still colonies and thus should be returned.

Either way, it’s a unique, slightly messy situation.

   When to visit Ceuta

Ceuta has pretty nice weather all year round, but it can get pretty hot in the summer. We went in December and, though it got a little cold at night, it was a major upgrade from our Swedish winter.

   How long to stay in Ceuta

We personally felt we were able to do most of what we wanted to do in Ceuta with just one day. But if you wanted to spend some more time hiking the nearby mountains, taking a day trip to Morocco , or spending time at the beach or pools (if you’re there in the summer), you could easily extend your stay another day or two.

   How to get to Ceuta

There are 3 ways you can get to Ceuta:

#1) Take the ferry from Algeciras, Spain to Ceuta

Or, you can go directly to their website:  https://www.balearia.com/en

Promotional code with 10% discount for Baleária: FLEX10

(PS: Keep an eye on our blog because soon we will post an article with a great Ceuta, Gibraltar, and Málaga itinerary you can use to plan your trip)

View of Gibraltar from the Algeciras-Ceuta ferry

#2) Take a HELICOPTER from Algeciras to Ceuta (yes, really!)

For just over the cost of taking the ferry (35 euros one way), you can take a helicopter from Algeciras, Spain to Ceuta.  

Here’s the schedule for the 35 euro price (it’s 50+ euros all the other days):

From Algeciras to Ceuta — FRIDAY — 14:30-14:40 or 15:35-15:45

From Ceuta to Algeciras — SUNDAY — 19:30 – 19:40

Unfortunately, we found out about this option only after we’d already arrived. Otherwise, we definitely would have taken the helicopter one way and the ferry the other!

You can book the helicopter here: www.helity.es (click the upper right button to change the website’s language to English)

#3) Cross overland through Morocco

We don’t have any personal experience with this, unfortunately, but we know it can be done.  

   How to get around Ceuta

The city is pretty compact so you can get to many places on foot. Within the center, there are also plentiful buses. For places outside the city center (like the San Isabel II overlook), you’ll probably need to take a taxi.

We’ll specify how to get to individual places in our itinerary below.

   Where to stay the night in Ceuta

There isn’t a ton of accommodation options listed online for Ceuta.

But since we knew we were going to be arriving late, we wanted to stay somewhere close to the ferry terminal (even if it was a bit far from the city center).

So, we stayed at Pension La Puntilla (which also ended up being the cheapest accommodation we could find) and paid about $40/night for a private double with a shared bathroom.

It was a pleasant enough place and likely your best option if you are on a budget. Plus, the owner was really nice and helpful!

If you want to stay somewhere a little bit nicer and closer to the center, Hostal Plaza Ruiz also looks to be a good choice.

Click either of the images above to get more info about the places or to book your room.

   What to do in Ceuta (Ceuta 1 day itinerary)

Here’s a peek at the map with our recommended 1 day itinerary with 7 stops in Ceuta (you’ll need to click to zoom in and out on the map to see all the stops more closely):

(Click the image above or here to see a live version of the map )

Stop #1: Visit Ceuta’s tourist office

Your first stop of the day will likely be a tourist office so you can pick up a map and ask any questions you might have. There’s one tourist office near Plaza de Africa and another near the port (you’ll see signs for both of them, or you can check the map above).

Stop #2: Walk the Royal Walls

A short walk from either of the tourist offices is Ceuta’s most famous landmark — their old city walls! They are completely free to visit, so explore as much as you like.

There’s also a museum which you can visit for a small fee, and there are signs along the walls where you can read more as you go.

Stop #3: Wander through the center of Ceuta (from Plaza de Africa to Plaza de los Reyes)

Your next step will be to get yourself to Plaza de Africa (either ask around or follow the signs — it’s just a few minutes on foot from the walls.)

From there, follow the main road (“Gran Via”) which will be on your left if you’re looking at the Plaza’s cathedral.

After a few minutes down this bustling thoroughfare, you’ll hit Plaza de la Constitución on your left. While here, feel free to pop into the central market if you like or take a selfie with the giant Hercules statue.

Continue down the same street as before (which has now turned into the pedestrian-only Paseo del Revellín), passing the “Dragon House” until you reach Plaza de los Reyes.

Paseo de Revellín

Casa de los Dragones (“Dragon House”)

Stop #4: Soak up the sun in Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo (Maritime Park of the Mediterranean)

If you turn left onto any of the roads off Plaza de los Reyes and head straight, you’ll find yourself at this park of pristine saltwater swimming pools, abundant plant life, and other entertainment (including a restaurant and a casino).

If it’s winter, a visit here might not be the best use of your time because the pools are all drained (although we still visited and had a good time strolling through the gardens). But if it’s summer or warm enough, I think it’d be a great place to spend a hot day outdoors.

The entrance fee for us was nothing (probably because was winter so you couldn’t swim anyway ), but otherwise , I think the fee is about 5 euros for adults.  

Here’s what the maritime park looks like with water:

Courtesy of rafaberru via Tripadvisor

Courtesy of trainfan2000 via Tripadvisor

Stop #5: See Europe from the San Antonio overlook and hike around Ceuta’s fortress on Mount Hacho

For this stop, you’ll first need to get to El Mirador de San Antonio (San Antonio overlook).

From Plaza de la Constitución, you can take bus #1 (right next to the taxi stand) to the end of the line. If you take the bus, just tell the bus driver “el Mirador de San Antonio” so he can show you when to get off. But even with the bus, you’ll still have quite a lot of walking to do uphill to get to the overlook.

Unfortunately, we don’t have more details about how this bus works since we didn’t actually take it. We meant to, but after waiting at the stop for 20+ minutes without it coming, we decided to stop wasting time (especially with our ferry to catch) and just took a taxi from the taxi stand next door.

The taxi driver used the meter and it cost us 3.50 euros to get to the overlook.

Once you make it to the overlook, look straight across the water to see Europe and British Gibral:

That chunk of rock behind us is Gibraltar and Europe!

Then turn around and take in the view over Ceuta (although your Ceuta views will get even better as your adventure continues):

Now, it’s time to get up to that fortress. Unfortunately, the fortress itself is an active military base so you can’t go inside. But you certainly walk around the outside.

Once you exit the parking lot of the overlook, head left up  towards the hill. After a few minutes walking, you will see a steep, narrow road on your left that heads toward something that looks like a cell phone tower.

Follow it up and up and up. Then, you’ll find a trail hugging the fortress that looks something like this:

Make your way along fortress wall (accompanied by some wonderful views of Ceuta down below), until you find a paved road that starts heading back down.

We followed this paved road (you’ll see lots of turn  offs — just keep walking down and you’ll find your way) all the way to the coast opposite of the side of the city you came from (the road you want is called Calle Recinto Sur – you can find it plotted on the map). We followed Calle Recinto Sur all the way back to the center. There were some great coastal views on the walk (although it was a little long), but it looked like there were also bus stops for bus #1 all along the way.

Apparently, there’s also a reasonably priced restaurant at the top of Mount Hacho, but we didn’t see it.

On the other side of the mountain, there’s also another fort (called Fort of El Desnarigado) that has a military museum. We aren’t entirely sure how to get there or if it’s worth going to, but if anyone out there has been, let us know!

Stop #6: Head to Benzu and San Isabel II Overlook (Mirador de Benzu/Mirador de San Isabel II)

The final places we wanted to visit while in Ceuta were the Benzu and San Isabel II Overlook.

Unfortunately, buses don’t go out there so you’ll need to take a taxi. We took a taxi from Plaza de Los Reyes and negotiated a rate of 20 euros for an hour driving with some “tour” info along the way.

Our taxi driver only spoke Spanish (which was fine for us because we both speak Spanish), but you may need to ask around or expect to pay slightly more if you need an English speaking driver.

Along the way, we asked our taxi driver plenty of questions about life in Ceuta and he gave us some history and background on things as we drove by.

If you don’t speak Spanish but don’t care about this extra info and just want to get to the overlooks, just tell your driver “ Mirador de Benzu” and “ Mirador de San Isabel II” (or show them on your map). He or she should know where to go and can maybe take you for a cheaper price.

Ideally, we would have liked to visit these overlooks during the day…but they were still quite lovely at night!

The “Sleeping Woman” of Benzu and lights from Morocco

View of Ceuta from top of San Isabel II Overlook

Stop #7: Pick up your bags & make your way to the port before you miss your ferry back to Europe!

Likely, you can ask the same taxi driver who brought you to the overlooks to just drop you off directly back at your accommodation without an extra fee (as long as you are still within the agreed-upon time limit).

From there, grab your bags and make your way to the port to catch your ferry (or take the helicopter!) back to Algeciras.

   Have more time in Ceuta? Ceuta itinerary alternatives

If you have more time in Ceuta, you can add these alternatives to your itinerary. Or, feel free to change up our 1 day itinerary with some of the activities below.

Reminder: You can see exactly where all the alternatives are by marking the boxes in the live map at the top of the article.

• Hit up the beaches

Ceuta has 13+ miles (21 km) of coastline….which means there’s plenty of beaches for you to visit!

Some of the best ones include: La Ribera, San Amaro, El Chorrillo, and Parque de San Amaro (this one is great if you want to go windsurfing).

Alternatively, you can also spend the day relaxing and swimming in the saltwater pools of Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo (stop #4 in our itinerary above).

• Get active on the García Aldave Mountain

On García Aldave Mountain (where the San Isabel the II overlook is located), there is an abundance of trails for hikers and mountain bikers.  

Since we visited the mountain at night, we weren’t able to explore any of them ourselves. So, if you’d like to explore the trails yourself, your best bet is to get ask about them in the tourist office. This Lonely Planet link here also gives a bit more info about visiting the mountain.  

• Learn at the museums

There aren’t that many museums in Ceuta because the city isn’t that big, but there are a few you can visit like The Revellín Museum (or the Ceuta City Museum), Military Museum of the Legion, or The Royal Walls Museum.

   Looking for your next stop? Where to go before or after Ceuta

Obviously, Ceuta isn’t super well-located for continued travel. The easiest places for you to go to/come from Ceuta would be Morocco or Spain.

Morocco — Tangier, Tetouan, or the blue city of Chefchaouen would be the closest cities of interest. From one of these, you could likely find transportation to your next stop in Morocco.

Spain — the only city in Spain connected by ferry to Ceuta is Algeciras. But from Algeciras, you can easily take a bus to Gibraltar or Málaga (and from Málaga , you can get basically anywhere else in southern Spain including the classic Andalusian cities of Granada, Seville, or Cordoba).  

Seville — if you are further exploring Spain’s Andalusia region, you shouldn’t miss a visit to Seville. You can even visit Seville in one day! 

Madrid — if you are passing by Madrid during your travels around Spain, check out this great article with 2 Days in Madrid Itinerary ! 

   Bonus tips for visiting Ceuta

• English isn’t widely spoken, so it may be wise to brush up on your rusty high school Spanish. Otherwise, the people in the tourist office speak English and can surely help you with whatever you need.
• Be a smart, safe traveler. We felt perfectly safe while in Ceuta, but we heard there were some places in Ceuta you wouldn’t want to visit at night. Overall, Ceuta is poorer than the rest of Spain, so just be aware of your surroundings. Read more of our travel safety tips here .
• Get your visa. Do you need a visa to visit Europe’s Schengen area? Then you’ll also need a visa to visit Ceuta.
• Book your accommodation in advance. Like we said, there aren’t a ton of options for accommodation in Ceuta. So, the best thing you can do is book in advance. Click here to check and compare prices and availability for accommodation in Ceuta.
• See our 6 Days Ceuta, Gibraltar, and Málaga itinerary . Seriously, it’s a great itinerary and if you’re in the area, you’ll won’t want to miss it!

Other Activities and tours to do in Ceuta

If you are looking for activities and tours in Ceuta, I recommend that you take a look at Civitatis . There you can find several tours of a few hours or even a few days to do in Ceuta.

What do you think? Had you heard about this strange, Spanish city of Ceuta before? Would you like to visit? Let us know your thoughts or send us any questions you have in the comments area below!

Planning your next trip?

 Already reserved your hotel or hostel? If not, our article with The 6 Best and Cheapest Websites to Find & Reserve Accommodation can help you out. You’ll also find some promotions and discount codes .

 Still haven’t booked your plane ticket and want to save big? Take a look at our page with 16 Tips to Save on Flights where you’ll also find the 4 best websites to buy your plane tickets. 

And finally, will you need to rent a car during your trip? Then surely our page with The 5 Best and Cheapest Websites to Compare and Rent Cars Around the World will help you choose the best rental car and find a good deal.

5 Responses

Gday! My bro and I followed your one day itinerary with a few additions as we had a couple of days in Ceuta. We walked from the port, stopped off for breakfast in Plaza de Africa and headed off on a route which took us all the way around to the easternmost point of Ceuta (following the main road which had a lovely walking lane all the way) and back round to the central cuidad. Thanks guys! Happy adventuring! 🙂

Hey Elliot – glad to hear the itinerary helped! Since you spent a few days there, if you have any other recommendations beyond what’s here, feel free to drop them in 🙂

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hello – great article. I’m looking at the helicopter option and I can’t find prices less than 80euros. thanks

Hello! Thank you for your comment! Yeah, following this website helity.es, that’s about the price I can find as well. As far as I know, that’s the only helicopter option I can see from Europe to Africa. And to be honest, it’s pretty cheap for a helicopter ride that is also used as transportation to another continent. Maybe they have promotions for future dates? Good luck with your search!

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THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Ceuta

Things to do in ceuta, explore popular experiences, tours in and around ceuta.

Private Sailing Experience from Estepona

Morocco: Tetouan,UNESCO World Heritage Site & Ceuta Private Tour

Sailing Boat-always private-always by sail-search for dolphins

Excursion to Ceuta and Tetouan Morocco from Malaga

Tangier Private Tour from Tarifa Ferry & Lunch Included

Cultural excursion for one day to Tangier with ferry included

Tangier essential tour 1 day

Private Kitesurfing lessons (adapted to every level)

Whale Watching

Baptism of diving in the Natural Park of the Strait

Top attractions in ceuta.

Other Top Attractions around Ceuta

What travellers are saying

• Parque Maritimo del Mediterraneo
• El Conjunto Monumental de las Murallas Reales
• Playa de la Ribera
• Casa de los Dragones
• Plaza de Africa
• Monte Hacho
• Parque de San Amaro
• Playa del Chorrillo

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Renting a car, an attractive proposition for the holidays

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