SPAIN - Ceuta

Location - North Africa; Capital - Madrid; Population - Ceuta - 80,000; Spain - 46 million; Currency - Euro MORE SPAIN

Buses from Chefchaouen head north via Tetouan to Fnideq, from where shared taxis make the short drive to the slightly chaotic border with Spain - October 2011.

Just like mainland Spain, Ceuta uses the Euro

Gazing through the fence to the Ceutan peninsula at Bab Sebta, the Morocco/Spain border

The border crossing takes less time if you're willing to pay for a Moroccan immigration form (or bring your own). Since the 1990s the perimeter border fence has increased in height to prevent illegal immigration - Ceuta

The peninsular of Ceuta, as seen from immediately after the border at Tarajal. Monte Hacho is the hilly area on the right - Ceuta

The Plaza de Africa is the heart of the enclave.
On the left is a memorial dedicated to the 1859/60 Spanish-Moroccan War, a conflict over the borders of Ceuta

Overlooking Plaza de Africa is the 17th century Santa Maria de la Asuncion Cathedral - Ceuta

Also on Plaze de Africa is the 18th century Santuario de Nuestra Senora de Africa - Ceuta

The Palacio de la Asamblea (Municipal Palace) is on the edge of the Plaza de Africa - Ceuta

From the Plaza de Africa walk down the Av Alcalde Sanchez Prados towards the Plaza de la Constitution - Ceuta

A statue of Hercules greets visitors to the Plaza de la Constitution. Behind him is the Edificio Trujillo - Ceuta

Hercules prefers to look the other way though, towards the yacht harbour and the Mediterranean - Ceuta

The yacht harbour is a sheltered area on the north side of the narrow isthmus - Ceuta

Rising above the harbour to the west is Morocco, including the mountain Jebel Musa.
Jebel Musa, together with the the Rock of Gibraltar, are known as the Pillars of Hercules - Ceuta

Conveniently located next to the harbour is the Pablado Marinero (Seamen's Village) - Ceuta

The Pablado Marinero is chock full of bars and restaurants, many of which don't get going until well after midnight - Ceuta

Look in the opposite direction from the harbour and you'll see Monte Hacho - Ceuta

The walls close to the top of Monte Hacho belong to Monte Hacho Fortress, now an off-limits military base - Ceuta

Taking a break outside the cultural centre (not sure if it is a cultural centre - tell me if you know) - Ceuta

Feed the birds at the Plaza de los Reyes. There's a couple of good roadside café-bars opposite - Ceuta

A statue of a hooded penitent in Plaza de los Reyes - Ceuta

On the main Paseo del Revellin shopping street - diagonally opposite Plaza de los Reyes - is the Casa de los Dragones - Ceuta

Four dragons adorn the roof of the Casa de los Dragones - Ceuta

The Casa de los Dragones (House of Dragons) - Ceuta

The barrel-vault roof of the 11th century Arab Baths - Ceuta

A boat speeds down the 16th century Foso de San Felipe moat - Ceuta

The ancient Royal Walls originally date back to the 5th century - Ceuta

Built into the Royal Walls are a restaurant and also a museum which at the time hosted an excellent photographic exhibition - Ceuta

The Spanish flag flies above the Royal Walls - Ceuta

It's possible to take a boat cruise through the Foso de San Felipe, which links either side of the isthmus - Ceuta

There's a couple of decent beaches in the city, the closest one being Playa de la Ribera - Ceuta

Showers and a beach café are available at Playa de la Ribera - Ceuta

Santa Maria de la Asuncion Cathedral rises above La Ribera beach - Ceuta

The Museo de la Legion details the history of the Spanish Legion - Ceuta

The Mediterranean Maritime Park must look amazing when the pools are full of saltwater. Unfortunately it's drained in the off-season - Ceuta

The park has three saltwater pools, restaurants and cafés, and a casino housed on a central island - Ceuta

A statue of Dom Pedro de Menezes, the first Portuguese governor of Ceuta - Ceuta

The Four Cultures of Ceuta - In addition to the Cathedral, Ceuta is also home to the Sidi Embarek Mosque

The Four Cultures of Ceuta - On the left is El Betel Synagogue; on the right is a Hindu temple

Continue westwards from Playa la Ribera and you'll arrive at the second city beach, Playa del Chorillo - Ceuta

Playa del Chorillo also has plenty of showers - Ceuta

Make your way to the Parque de San Amaro on the slopes of Monte Hacho for superb views of the city, including the mountainous Garcia Aldave (Spain) and Jebel Musa behind (Morocco) - Ceuta

Parque San Amaro has a series of walking trails providing great views of the city - Ceuta

The Parque San Amaro links to the road to the Mirador de San Antonio - Ceuta

The Ermita de San Antonio is a renovated convent next to the viewpoint - Ceuta

Across the Mediterranean towards mainland Spain from the viewpoint Mirador de San Antonio - Ceuta

A picture of King Juan Carlos of Spain hangs in a restaurant near the Mirador de San Antonio - Ceuta

Crossing continents for a hazy view of the Rock of Gibraltar - Ceuta

A gorgeous view of the Mediterranean and mainland Spain from Monte Hacho.
The boat is likely heading towards the Spanish port of Algeciras - Ceuta

The main entrance to Monte Hacho Fortress, a Byzantine fort which is now an off-limits military base - Ceuta

After passing Monte Hacho Fortress the lighthouse comes into view - Ceuta

Standing below right of the lighthouse on the south eastern tip of the peninsular is Desnarigardo Castle. It now houses a military museum - Ceuta

Playa Benitez is a beach on the north side of the peninsula, past the ferry terminal - Ceuta

Playa Benitez - Ceuta

The coast continues northwest to the pebbly beaches of Playa Calamocarro and Punta Blanca - Ceuta

Around the corner at Punta Blanca and close to the Moroccan border is the village of Benzu. Jebel Musa is obscured by cloud - Ceuta

The small beach at Benzu - Ceuta

A mosque on the main - and pretty much the only - street in Benzu - Ceuta

Bright colours at Villa Rosa, a private home in Benzu - Ceuta

I took a taxi up the steep and winding road in the Garcia Aldave to Mirador de Isabel II - Ceuta

Rolling down the slopes of Garcia Aldave to the city centre and back up to Monte Hacho - Ceuta

The 23km² territory of Ceuta from the Mirador de Isabel II

A short distance from the viewpoint is Torre Isabel II, one of seven 19th century towers built for the defence of the city - Ceuta

The inside of Torre Isabel II is rather dilapidated - Ceuta

Further on, heading south, is Torre Francisco de Asis - Ceuta

A Moroccan flag flies across the valley from Torre Francisco de Asis - Ceuta

A few minutes further on is Torre de Pinies - Ceuta

This is one of two water reservoirs set into the Garcia Aldave - Ceuta

OK so I couldn't see Perejil Island from the ferry to Algeciras but it's around here somewhere.
The tiny uninhabited island has been the centre of a sovereignty dispute between Spain and Morocco, culminating in conflict in 2002 - Ceuta

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LINKS

www.spain.info - Spanish tourist board

www.ceuta.es

www.visitaceuta.com

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.