| Welcome to Ceuta
Ceuta is beautiful Spanish city located in north Africa, in the
south extreme of Gibraltar Straits. In this city two continents
converge, Europe and Africa, two seas merge, the Atlantic Ocean
and the Mediterranean Sea and four different cultures: Christian,
Muslim, Hebrew and Hindu come together in peaceful coexistence characterized
by respect.
The arrival in Ceuta es fascinating, with mountains at both sides
of the city, Ancient Fortresses, Walls and panoramic views. All
this, enjoying an ever mild climate wihich makes it into a perfect
destination al every season of the year.
Ceuta is only 19 Km. from the Costa del Sol. A single destination
has never offered you so many experiences.
There is a lot to discover in Ceuta: “Four Worlds within
your reach”. Welcome to Ceuta.
Tourist Attractions
Ceuta offers the visitor endlees possibilities, each more tempting
than the previous one.
Ceuta is an important commercial center, with modern establisments
whrere articles of the mos varied origins can be acquired: (import
stores) electronic, photographs, jeweler’s and craft, with
duty free prices; possibility of offering dance shows from four
different cultures on land or on board. A historical and multi cultural
city.
It has also to be mentioned that it is the most efficent brigge
to visit t the Magreb neighbouring countries, that al a few kilometres
distance excrusions can be made with coaches an expert guides to
visit the cities and surrounding area.
In Ceuta there is a lot of discover: the recreation an leisure
in Ceuta go through “Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo”,
leisure complex leaned to the sea, is has no equal at the south
of Europe, close to the beautiful Port Deportivo, its lakes, waterfalls
and magnificent gardens, invite to take a bath, to walk an to relax.
The marine vocation of Ceuta es secular, its coast is rich and is
has hundred of marine species, these sea products, are the fundamental
axis of the varied gastronomic offer.
Ceuta invites to visit its museums or its splendid wall ensemble,
to enjoy the magnificent panoramic views of the Gibraltar Straits
from its balconies or to walk plesantly through its emblematic Plaza
de Africa contemplating the Cathedral, the Shrine of de Santa María
de Africa and Palacio de la Asamblea of Ceuta Autonomous City. In
short Ceuta invites to conjugate history, diversion and relax in
a Magic and Hospitable City.
History
Ceuta History documentary dates from 2.500 years ago. Settled by
Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans and Arabians until the
arrival of the Portugueses in 1.415, they all left signs of their
cultures and historic vestiges. They established themselves over
the strategical site tha Ceuta occupies: the greek “Heptadelfos”,
the roman “Septem Fratres” and the next “Septem”,
“Cepta”, “Septa” o “Ceuta”,
based on the seven hills that surrounds the City.
In 1.580 the King of Spain Felipe II joined Portugal to the Spanish
crown including Ceuta. On the 15 th December 1640 the Portuguese
independance revolution with coronation of their King Juan IV de
Portugal and reaching to Ceuta these news its inhabitants, whom
al that moment with a larger Spanish influence, for popular plesbiscite
chose to cotinue under the Spanish Crown. Ceuta’ inhabitants
have the privilege and the honour to be the only spanish citizents
having elected by themselves to belong to the Kindgom of Spain and
as a prove of loyalty to the Crown the King Felipe IV appointed
Ceuta: “Always Nobel, Loyal and Devoted City of Ceuta”.
During XVI and XVII centuries Ceuta was carefully fortified. After
the unification of the Kingdom of Morocco in 1.672, Muley Ismail
put on site Ceuta, this was known as “the 30 year fo siege”
and they never succeded to submit the City which never belonged
to the Kingdom of Morocco.
   
| Culture / Art Museum
and Monuments
Mirador of San Antonio
Views of the City and the Straits. Next to the Fortress of
the Hacho. Hermitage of San Antonio.
Mirador of Saint Elizabeth
Views of the shape of the City clipped on the sea, as well
as the Straits and the coasts of Morocco.
The Royal Walls
Built in ages of the Arab domination (711-1415) suffering
later modifications, being the important part built by the
Portuguese and reconstructed by the Spaniards in the years
1674 and 1705.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Africa
Patron Saint of Ceuta. Built in the XV century, The image
of Our Lady seems to be Byzantine.
The Cathedral
Built on a mosque of the Time of Arab dominance (711-1415).
We can highlight the Chapel of the Santísimo with a
Baroque altarpiece and the Captain Virgin, of Portuguese origin
(XV S.). It has a neoclassicist cover of black marble. Interior
with three ships, with great choir in the front part.
Municipal Museum
The museum is located in Revellín St. and it contains
archaeological discoveries of the Paleolithic, Neolithic Periods
as well as of the Romans, medieval, Islamic ages and of the
Hispanic Ceuta
Museum of the Port Authority
Located in an old warehouse, it contains material on the History
of the Port of Ceuta. Also it has exhibitions of marine shells
and archaeological remains.
Museum of the Legion
This museum conserves historical memories of the Legion created
in 1920 by the General Millán Astray, special unit
of the Spanish Army that enjoys of great prestige for its
performances.
Military Museum of the Castle of the Desnarigado.
The current one Fortress was built by the middle of the XIX
century to be used as coast battery. The views on the sea
and the cliffs are of extraordinary beauty. In their suburbs
are remains of the old Castle of the XVII century and also,
a tower and walls of the Portuguese Time. It consists of five
rooms with historical-military memories of weapons of the
I Exercise Spanish.
Museum of Regular Troops
The Museum of Regular Troops contains its history and traditions
of the different units that formed the Regular Forces, from
its creation in 1911 until our days.
Gastronomy
Off our coasts, the most usual marine species are tunids:
tuna, bonito, frigate mackerel and mackerel, which to a certain
extent, defines the inhabitants of Ceuta, who are known as
“Caballas” (“Mackerels”). Also plentiful
in these waters are “mingote” and “vitorino”
anchovies, “la aguja palá”, gilthead, red
bream, octopus, squid, etc. and, of course, all kinds of seafood:
crabs, lobster, shrimp, king prawns, clams… There is
no doubt that seabased elements are the main basis of Ceuta
cuisine, but not the only one.
Ceuta residents, due to their Andalusian idiosyncrasy, love
to have “tapas”, going from one place to another
among the countless bars, and tasting the local culinary specialties.
Festivities and Traditions.
Ceuta is a merry and joyful town with a large number of holidays
and popular traditions. As a reference and due many of them
are days we give herebelow a list of those:
1 st enero. New year’s day
6 th enero. Epipfany
February. Carnivals
March-april. Holy week
13 th june. St. Anthony
5 th august. Our Lady of Africa
2nd september. Ceuta’s Day
12 th october. Spanish National Day
1 st november. All Saints`Day
6 th and 8 th december. Spanish Constitution’s
Day and Immaculate Virgin’s Day
25 th december. Christmas’s Day
Transport and Communications
From Algeciras port a 16 miles trip by fast-ferries this
trajects is covered in a matter of 45 minutes (including berthing/unberthing)
Ceuta can be reached in a pleasant journey crossing the Straight
of Gibraltar and watching the Dolphins accompanying the ship.
Three companies perfom these trips sailing almost every hour
and these are: Trasmediterránea, Euroferrys and Buquebus.
As well from Málaga airport there are daily services
by helicopter taking only 35 minutes which carriers are Helisureste
having a modern fleet.
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Leisures and Entertainment
As any touric resort, Ceuta enjoys of a wide range of possibilities
to have nice and confortable holidays, being attended by experienced
personnel whom are ready to make your staying most pleasant
with real good premises: bars, restaurants, etc, here some
of them:
Parque Maritimo del Mediterráneo
Rural Ecological Touristic resort “Miguel de Luque”
Ceuta’s Grand Casino
Hotels
Hotel Parador “La Muralla” * * * *
Pza. Nuestras Señora de Africa, s/n
Telf. 956 514940
Hotel Tryp Ceuta * * * *
Alcalde Sánchez Prado, 2
Telf. 956 511200
Gran Hotel Ulises * * * *
Camoens, 5
Telf: 956 514540
Hotel Residencia Africa * * *
Avda. Cañonero Dato, 9
Telf: 956 509467
Hostal Residencia Skol * *
Avda. Reyes Católicos, 6
Telf: 956 504718
Climate
Located at the southern end of one continent (Europe) and
the northern end of another (Africa), the Mediterranean Sea
and the Atlantic Ocean converge on its coast to provide an
enviable climate with 300 sunny days a year and average temperatures
of 20º all year round.
Tourism Office
Tourism Board of the town Hall
C/ Padilla, Edif. Ceuta Center, 2ª planta
Telf: 956 528246 / 47
Tourism Office in Ceuta: opening hours: 09:00-21:00
- Avda. Alcalde Sánchez Prados
Telf: 956 528146
- Avda. Cañonero Dato
Telf: 956 501410
- Estación Marítima
Telf: 956 506275
E-mail: turismo@ciceuta.es - www.turiceuta.com
Shopping
The town of Ceuta offer a fine range of shops, where one
can buy a lot of goods with a bin quality of service.
Commercial opening hours:
Monday - Friday: 10:00-14:00 y 17:00-21:00
Saturday: 10:00-14:00
Comercial Center: 09:00-21:00 (Monday-Saturday)
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