Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
Ceuta's history is outlined by the
ruta monumenta,
a series of excellent information
boards in English and Spanish outside key buildings and monuments.
Plaza de Africa
This is the charming heart of Ceuta, with manicured tropical plantings, a square of cobble-
stone streets and some of the city's finest architecture. Moving clockwise from the oblong
Commandancia General
, a military headquarters closed to visitors, you encounter the strik-
5-9pm Mon-Sat, 9am-1pm & 6.30-9pm Sun & holidays)
, an 18th-century Andalucian-style church;
clock, a combination palace and city hall; and finally the 17th-century, twin-spired
Cathed-
6-8pm Tue-Sun, museum 10am-1pm Tue-Sat)
with its
museum
. The centre of the plaza contains a
memorial to soldiers lost in the Spanish-Moroccan War of 1860, a conflict over the bor-
ders of Ceuta.
LANDMARK
Royal Walls
OFFLINE MAP
ARCHITECTURE
( 0956 51 17 70; Ave González Tablas; 10am-2pm & 5-8pm)
The most impressive
sight in Ceuta is the medieval Royal Walls, dating back to the 5th century. These extens-
ive fortifications, of great strategic complexity, have been wonderfully restored, with in-
formation boards in English. The beautifully designed
Museo de los Muralles Reales
porary art exhibitions, lies within the walls themselves. It's a most atmospheric space,
worth visiting regardless of what's on show - although if you're lucky enough to catch
local artist Diego Canca, don't miss his work.
Beaches
Easily overlooked, the two town beaches,
Playa del Chorillo
and
Playa de la Ribera
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
, lie to the south of the isthmus, beneath Av Martinez Catena.
They are well kept and conveniently located, although the sand is a bland grey.
BEACH
