ceuta spain tourism

Top Things to Do in Ceuta, Spain - Ceuta Must-See Attractions

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

Private Sailing Experience from Estepona

Excursion to Morocco with guided tour and lunch from Malaga

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

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

Tangier Private Tour from Tarifa Ferry & Lunch Included

Cultural excursion for one day to Tangier with ferry included

Tangier essential tour 1 day

Whale Watching

Private Kitesurfing lessons (adapted to every level)

Baptism of diving in the Natural Park of the Strait

Cruises, sailing & water tours, 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

• 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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• 1.1 Tourist information
• 2.2.1 Crossing the border
• 2.3 By plane
• 3 Get around
• 8.2 Mid-range
• 8.3 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.

Understand [ edit ]

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.

Tourist information [ edit ]

• Ceuta Tourism website

Get in [ edit ]

By sea [ edit ]

Ceuta 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.

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 . 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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THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Ceuta

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

Private Sailing Experience from Estepona

Excursion to Morocco with guided tour and lunch from Malaga

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

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

Tangier Private Tour from Tarifa Ferry & Lunch Included

Cultural excursion for one day to Tangier with ferry included

Tangier essential tour 1 day

Whale Watching

Private Kitesurfing lessons (adapted to every level)

Baptism of diving in the Natural Park of the Strait

Cruises, sailing & water tours, 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

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

Excursion to Morocco with guided tour and lunch from Malaga

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

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

Tangier Private Tour from Tarifa Ferry & Lunch Included

Cultural excursion for one day to Tangier with ferry included

Tangier essential tour 1 day

Whale Watching

Private Kitesurfing lessons (adapted to every level)

Baptism of diving in the Natural Park of the Strait

Cruises, sailing & water tours, 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

Out of Your Comfort Zone

The art of backpacking & adventures to get out of your comfort zone – tips and advice, 1 day ceuta, spain itinerary: visit europe….in africa.

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!

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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 🙂

[…] Toubkal is one of the most easily accessible peaks from Marrakesh in Marrocos. It is the perfect blend of entertainment and challenges that you will love. The ascent all across […]

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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Next stop….The DMZ, South Korea

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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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Where to go?

What to do, 10 things to do in ceuta: spain.

Ceuta is an 18.5-square-kilometer Spanish independent city situated on the north shore of Africa, offering a western fringe to Morocco. Ceuta is one of two Spanish provinces in North Africa. The region has had a few rulers before the Portuguese controlled the Spanish exclave, military post, and free port on the bank of Morocco, at the Mediterranean access to the Strait of Gibraltar.

1. Go to El Conjunto Monumental de las Murallas Reales

You will be truly fortunate that they would open on New year’s Day, pretty much the main thing that was! The canal even has water in it as it is prompted going at dusk; truly environmental. This was the fringe of antiquated Ceuta. The Royal Moat has been traversable since the ahead of schedule of the Portuguese principle. The most seasoned strongholds like the Mallorquines on the eastern part. The most present day development is toward the west of the canal.

Information Name: St. Peter’s Fortress with the Plaza de Santiago, the Valencian Front Address: Royal City Walls, Ceuta, Spain Interest: Landmark, sightseeing Hours: 9am to 5pm Open: Daily except major holidays

2. Explore at Parque Maritimo del Mediterraneo

A Water Park. The Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo is a recreation complex covering 55,000 m² situated in the self-ruling Spanish city of Ceuta, flanking northern Morocco. It comprises of three manufactured pools of salt water, sifted straightforwardly from the ocean. An incredible spot to go through with the entire family. An extraordinary spot for the children. Try not to miss the opportunity to have a ton of fun in this excellent theme park in Ceuta. The Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo is a relaxation complex covering 55,000 m² situated in the self-ruling Spanish city of Ceuta, circumscribing northern Morocco.

Information Name: Parque Maritimo del Mediterraneo Address: Avenida Compañía de Mar, s/n, 51004 Ceuta, Spain Hours: 11AM–8PM Open: Daily Phone: +34 956 51 77 42 Web: www.elparque.ceuta.si/

3. Visit the Plaza de Africa

This is the beguiling heart of Ceuta, with manicured tropical plantings, a square of cobblestone boulevards and a portion of the city’s finest. The Plaza de Africa is a little square with bunches of space and regions to sit in the shade and watch the world cruise by. The fundamental church is on the square however sadly was shut when we went by. The squad is toward one side of what gives off an impression of being the fundamental shopping and business street through Ceuta.

Information Name: Plaza de África Interest: Park Address: Ceuta, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain Phone:+34 956 51 38 24 Open: Daily Hours: 7am to 9pm

4. View the Casa de Los Dragones

Casa de Los Dragones or House of the Dragons is a vital milestone in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta on the north shore of Africa, and a remarkable case of diverse engineering. The house is on an edge of Kings Square. The Casa de Los Dragones on Plaza de Los Reyes is an awesome dream that has entered this present reality. As of late reestablished to flawlessness for each vacationer and neighborhood occupant to appreciate.

Information Name: Casa de los Dragones Address: Calle Camoens, 51001 Ceuta, Spain Floors: 3 Hours: Open 24 hours Opened: 1905 Architect: José María Manuel Cortina Pérez Construction started: 1897

5. Visit the Banos Arabes

The Arab Baths is in Ceuta. The Arab Baths in Ceuta are medium size medieval showers in what might have been the on the northern edges of the Medina quarter. This is thought to have been involved following the eleventh century. It is suspected that the curved rooftops were once secured in marble. The building was not being utilized as a part of the seventeenth century. The showers were found amid building chip away at the road and they have following been liable to unearthings in 2000 and 2004. the remaining parts are interested in general society. They seem indiscernible on the cutting edge principle street in Ceuta.

Information Name: Banos Arabes Address: 51001 Ceuta, Spain Recognised as nationally monument: 2007 Open: Daily Hours: 7am to 6pm

6. Meet locals at Parque de San Amaro

It is spotless and associated with San Antonio, with close access to the perspective. Completely prescribed to visit as it appears the biggest park in Ceuta. It is a perfect spot to go for an evening with the children, first, walk around its offices, which right now account and just deer yet different creatures beforehand housed park. At that point, they can stay at the passage for kids to swing and play in the huge play area.

Information Name: Parque de San Amaro Interest: Park Address: 51005 Ceuta, Spain Phone:+34 956 52 82 00 Hours: 9AM – 10PM Open: Everyday

7. See the Estatua de Hercules

The Farnese Hercules is an antiquated statue of Hercules, likely an expanded duplicate made in the early third century AD and marked by Glykon, who is generally obscure; the name is Greek yet he may have worked in Rome. The statue is exceptionally dynamite. As per legend – Hercules pushing one landmass to Africa and Europe. The name of the craftsman said to have made is Lysippos and utilizations the material marble.

Information Name: Estatua de Hercules Artist: Lysippos Subject: Hercules Year: 216 AD Material: Marble Address: Muelle de la Puntilla, Ceuta, Spain

8. Visit the Museo Militar El Desnarigado

It is situated in an enclave of awesome excellence, alongside a little inlet encompassed by precipices. Information from the late seventeenth century and owes its name to a Barbary privateer named Desnarigado. Prowls an intriguing story of privateers. Presently it houses a military exhibition hall in which guns, garbs, canvases uncovered, and so forth. It has a little sanctuary. The perspectives are terrific. Going to hours Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 13:00, Saturday and Sunday on solicitation for gatherings of time.

Information Name: Museo Militar El Desnarigado Address: Monte Hacho, s/n, Ceuta, Spain Phone Number: 34856200886 Hours: 9am to 1pm Open: Monday – Friday

9. Go to the Basilica Tardorromana

Provides some decent data about the nearby history, however, everything is composed in Spanish which is extremely uncommon given that the various verifiable destinations have been deciphered into a couple of different dialects. Not that simple to discover marginally shrouded passage – if all else fails to solicit one from the taxis around (when you see them you in all likelihood missed the passageway). Also, please bring some grip of the language as all clarification is in Spanish. In any case, this ought not to deflect you as it is a blessing, not just as it is free.

Information Name: Basilica Tardorromana Address: Calle Queipo de Llano s/n, Ceuta, Spain Phone: None Interest: Religious, Landmarks, History Open: Monday to Saturday Hours: 9am to 3pm

10. Get guides at Tourism Office Ceuta

You would require some useful tips for making the move in your voyage in Ceuta. Once there, take in the perspectives from all headings, including an all-encompassing perspective of the city toward the south and a reasonable perspective of Gibraltar over the strait toward the north. Search for the disputable Francisco Franco landmark before you go to town. Obviously, look for help from the Tourism Office of Ceuta.

Information Name: Servicios Turísticos de Ceuta S.L. Address: Calle Edrisis, 0 Edificio Valuarte de los Mallorquines Interest: Knowledge, Tourist guide Open: Everyday Hours: 8am to 7pm

In your great visit in the city, you’ll be glad to experience various parks and church buildings. Numerous perspective of the plazas gave an essential spot to stop and just absorb a touch of history. The court has many couples of landmarks and is flanked by the Our Lady of Africa church and the town corridor.

Have a good trip and travel!

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Plans to enjoy in Ceuta

Kayaking and diving in Ceuta

Would you like to discover the Royal Walls of Ceuta in a different way? Did you know they have the only navigable moat in Europe? If you visit by kayak, you can enter the walls from the sea, travel around the Royal Moat and see its surprisingly clear waters. You can choose whether to rent a kayak and go at your own pace, or to take a trip with a guide. Moreover, during the summer months, you can take these trips in the evening, allowing you to have this experience at night and watch an amazing sunset over the Strait of Gibraltar.  If you'd prefer to dive and search for the gardens of gorgonias, coral banks and different aquatic species, you'll find about twenty diving spots fairly close together, which range from 12 metres to 40 metres deep. 

Ceuta by tourist boat

El Desnarigado is a tourist boat that takes you along the coastline of Ceuta, teaching you about the history of the fortresses and defence systems of the city at the same time. The journey starts at the Muelle de España dock, crosses the Royal Walls moat and travels to the southern bay. Among other spots, it passes through Ribera beach and Sarchal cove , where there is an 18th-century stronghold once used as a women's prison. After that, it reaches Desnarigado cove , from which you can see the castle of the same name, turned into a military museum, and the slopes of Monte Hacho mountain . If the sea allows, the boat continues around Punta Almina to enter the port via the estuary. When this is not possible, the boat travels back to the starting point. The tourist boat sets sail every day and the journey lasts approximately 45 minutes.

A cultural route

You can also enjoy Ceuta in other ways. A visit to the idyllic Mediterranean Maritime Park , designed by César Manrique, or a cultural route to see its main monuments, like the Cathedral , the Royal Walls or Califal port are just some of the options. The Arab baths built between the 12th and 13th centuries are also worth a visit, as are the museums in which the sea again plays a starring role, such as the Fundación Museo del Mar museum, with an exhibition of historic photographs of the port.

Local cuisine with flavours of the sea

Mediterranean towns are known for their healthy, tasty diet. Ceuta is no exception. The mixture of cultures has resulted in an original, flavourful cuisine, in which fresh products from the sea are the main attraction. Bonito is one of the most famous, with recipes like the "volaor" salad or pastel de bonito . In the coldest months, you can sample the frigate mackerel stew, and you mustn't miss the salted fish, such as boquerones in vinegar, at any time of year, as they are an essential part of Ceuta cuisine. What else should you try? Langoustines, clams, calamari, cuttlefish... If you want to go for tapas to try all these delicacies, you can visit the restaurants near Ribera beach.

The best views

If you venture a little further from the seashore, you can see the incredible landscapes Ceuta has to offer from its viewpoints, always with the sea as the backdrop. One option is to plan a route by car around the Monte Hacho mountain area until you reach the Punta Almina viewpoint to look at its beautiful set of cliffs and see how the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean come together. Barely 100 metres away from here is the viewpoint over Punta del Desnarigado, and at the foot is a castle, construction of which began in the 19th century. You can also see the impressive Monte Hacho Fort. Another viewpoint you can't miss, and which is also very close by, is the Mirador de San Antonio, which offers views of the city, the port and both bays. Another tour takes you to the viewpoints at Campo Exterior, where you can see the 840 m high mountain known as "the dead woman", among other sights. You can also visit the Benzú viewpoint, with views of the Rock of Gibraltar, or the Isabel II viewpoint, which provides the best views of the city. 

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Moroccan diplomats #19 : Mohamed Al Ghassani and the lost manuscripts

S ent by Sultan Moulay Ismail to the court of King Carlos II of Spain, Mohamed Al Ghassani was tasked with the mission of releasing Muslim captives and retrieve Morocan manuscripts lost in the Iberian country.

In 1690, Sultan Moulay Ismail, and after regaining Tangier and Larache, sent his minister Mohamed Ben Abdelouahab Al Ghassani Al Andaloussi Al Fassi to Spain to settle two major issues. The diplomat had to exchange Muslim captives for a library that used to belong to the Saadi dynasty and which was seized by Spanish pirates in 1612.

His diplomatic mission was described in his book «Rihlat Al-Wazir fi Iftikak al Asir» (The Journey of the Minister to Free Captives).

Moulay Zidane's lost manuscripts

In 1612, Moulay Zidane, the son of Saadi sultan Ahmed Al Mansour, was forced to settle down in Agadir. «He had his library transported via the sea to his new residence», wrote Mohamed Sijelmassi and André Miguel in « Manuscrits de la bibliothèque royale au Maroc » (Act, 1987). But between Essaouira and Agadir, the ship was seized by Spanish pirates who took all the books and gave them to the Royal Library of Escorial.

A few years later, Moulay Ismail took advantage of his two victories in Tangier and Larache to ask King Carlos II to hand the Kingdom back the valuable manuscripts and to release all Muslim captives as well. In September 1690, the Alaouite sultan chose Mohamed Ben Abdelouahab A Ghassani Al Andalousi Al Fassi to head a diplomatic delegation sent to Spain to negotiate the release of the Moroccan captives.

«He selected Minister Mohamed Ben Abdelouahab Al Ghassani Al Andaloussi Al Fassi, who is also a writer and a poet and who was also an intellectual and a politician. He spent several months there and returned on the same year to Morocco», said the magazine « Daaouat Al Haq », published by the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs.

The letter of Moulay Ismail

Moulay Ismail handed over his ambassador a letter that he had to deliver to King Carlos II of Spain. According to Lebanese historian Nabil Matar, «Ismail sent a letter with Al Ghassani dated september 20, 1690 and adressed to the 'Great one of Ruum, and prince of the Spanish regions and the lands of India', in which he informed Don Carlos about Al Ghassani and his assistant, Abdesslam Jassous».

«He was sending Al Ghassani with this letter he wrote, in response to the letter the king had sent him in regard to one hundred Christian captives (including six priests) who had been seized at the liberation of Larache by the 'soldiers of Islam'», Matar wrote in his book « In the Lands of the Christians: Arabic Travel Writing in the 17th Century » (Routledge, 2013).

In his letter to Carlos II of Spain transmitted by Al Ghassani, Moulay Ismail recalls in particular a «triade on the treachery of the Spaniards in Granada, two centuries earlier».

Ismail wanted «Islamic books, select and authentic, that are stacked in the libraries of Sevilles, Cordoba, Granada and other cities and villages as our servant chooses, copies of Quran and others, should there not be books enough, Ismail continued, he wanted ten captives for each Christian, Muslim captives, in whatever condition they are, and from whatever country they are».

«Ismail wanted his ambassador to select the books, making sure that all copies of Quran were included. He also wanted the return of all captives, 'the woman and the boy, the adolescent and the aged from among our subjects as well as from among others'. Furthermore, he wanted Carlos to allow any free Muslim in Spain wishing to leave the country to do so».

The ambassador's voyage started near Ceuta. After «two days, the delegates reached Cadiz, and as they wandered about, they met some of their captured compatriots, men, women and children, happily witnessing to God and calling for victory for our master», wrote Jennifer Speake in her book « Literature of Travel and Exploration: G to P » (Taylor & Francis Publishing, 2003).

From Cadiz, Al Ghassani and his delegation went on «to Puerto de Santa Maria and then to Jerez de la Frontera. Then on to Lebrija, a small town. The travel went on to Utrera, then to Marchena, Cordoue, El Carpio, Andujar, and Linares before Madrid».

A not-so-successful mission

After having handed the King of Spain the letter of Moulay Ismail, the response of the Spanish authorities was not long. «The Spaniards have claimed that the fire of the Escorial of 1671 burned the Arabic manuscripts [although] in fact, a large part had been saved», say Mohamed Sijelmassi and André Miquel.

Disappointed with the bad news, the delegation then went to Toledo to negotiate the Sultan's second demand. Al Ghassani took advantage of his diplomatic voyage to write a travelogue that described Spain after the expulsion of Moors.

Entitled «Rihlat Al-Wazir fi Iftikak al-Asir» (The journey of the Minister to free the captives), this book evokes captives only in title, but remains a richly descriptive book about the journey.

«The author devotes almost all of his work to describe Spain, its history and the Court. Only a few lines are devoted to the purchase of Muslim captives», reports François Moureau in Captifs en Méditerranée (XVI-XVIIIe siècles) : Histoire, récit et légendes .

Nabil Matar, an Arabic and European travel literature specialist based in the US, expressed the same opinion about Al Ghassani's book. «Very strangely, Al Ghassani does not mention anything about the fate of captives he had been sent to ransom. But it is known that he succeeded in liberating an unknown number of them (Though whether it was the thousand asked for by Ismail is not clear). At the end of September 1691, the exchange of Magharibis with Spanish captives took place outside Ceuta and on October 18, 1691, the liberated captives were paraded in Meknes».

Al Ghassani eventually returns to the court of Moulay Ismail and dies in 1707 in Fez, leaving behind other literary works.