Ceuta
Discover Ceuta
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. Ceuta and Melilla were in the spotlight in 2005 because hundreds of people were trying to climb over the border fences. As a part of Spain, Ceuta is a safe haven for Africans and 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.
Taste of Ceuta...
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. Ceuta is a great city to go out. There are several pubs and clubs and a great tapas route.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsCeuta is almost directly south of the autonomous city of Gibraltar, and 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 a 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 visit, but only very occasionally and usually dock within a few blocks of the easily-walked town. 35.894428-5.321571 Port of Ceuta. Passenger terminal has seen better days, but it still operational and has a few souvenir shops, small grocery shop and a small cafe on the 2nd floor. (updated Jun 2023) 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....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
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. 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". 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.
Money & Budget
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. 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.
Language & Talk
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. 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. 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.