Ceuta, the perfect stopover for tourist cruises

The tradition of using  Ceuta as a stopover for tourist cruises goes back a long way, and during the years it has continued to develop as a destination, establishing itself as one of the leading ports in the Strait of Gibraltar. Its exceptional location on one of the world's busiest shipping routes together with its rich historical and cultural offer, its climate, its beaches, its gastronomy and, of course, the hospitality of its people – this conglomerate of attractions attracts numerous vessels to the Port of Ceuta, using it as a transit point or destination to experience the wonders of this Mediterranean gem.

First-class infrastructure and comfort for the cruise passenger

For decades, many vessels have docked on the Ceuta coast, either as a technical stop or to visit theexotic city located between two continents and two seas. Before the Second World War, for example, illustrious ships such as the German Monte Rosa and Milwaukee, and the British Montclare and Montrose opted for this enclave with an undeniably ideal geographical location.

Since then, Ceuta has continued to attract hundreds of renowned ships in the cruise-ship industry, such as the Sapphire Princess,the Koningsdam and the Westerdam (from the prestigious companies Princess Cruises and Holland America Line). On their respective journeys they all relied on Salama's experience as ashipping agent for cruise ships in Ceuta.

The Port of Ceuta has continuously adapted to the changing times to meet new demands from vessels and visitors alike. In recent years, numerous projects have contributed to a revitalisation of the area, with important measures taken such as reducing port costs for using the infrastructure, reducing port fee amounts and increasing concession periods. As a result, the stopover costs in Ceuta have been reduced, encouraging operators of varying sizes to opt for the port.

Along the same lines, the increase in berthing limitation (from 180 metres it has been increased to accommodate vessels up to 300 metres long) has been a great boost for port use by shipping companies around the world. Other initiatives taken have also contributed, such as the remodelling of the Muelle España, improvements to facilitate docking manoeuvres for ships and adapting the facilities for the enjoyment of both visitors and locals.

A unique place in the world with incomparable history and culture

The surprises Ceuta has to offer first-time visitors begin from the moment they step onto land at the port. The various tourist information points for cruise ships at the Muelle España present the history of the city and give an introduction to the cosmopolitan, multicultural atmosphere of the area. Then, the proximity of the docking station to the centre of Ceuta lets you begin to discover all the city's secrets after a short, 10-minute walk from arrival, without long transfers or cumbersome arrival procedures.

Once you are in the city, its rich heritage, its gastronomic variety, its mix of cultures and its tax regime (shoppingat very competitive prices since VAT is not applied) means you will find yourself tempted by a number of great options to explore:

• The city of four cultures: a past flavoured by diverse civilisations and centuries of harmonious coexistence between Christians, Muslims, Jews and Hindus makes Ceuta shine like no other place in this world. This particularity is interspersed with a cosmopolitan, modern environment in which there are no great distances (one of the reasons why Ceuta is considered the ideal stopover for cruise ships).

• Gastronomy with Andalusian and Moroccan influences: the variety of dishes is a result of the city's geographical location, turning meals into authentic delicacies that never fail to surprise its visitors.

• Several different attractions: the large leisure complex known as the Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo, the royal walls with a navigable moat, the Arab Baths from the 12th century, the Meriní walls, the Hacho fortress (one of the two pillars of Hercules), three military museums, the 16th century baroque cathedral,  the 17th  century Church of Our Lady of Africa... plus other more contemporary buildings like the House of Dragons and the new auditorium – this is just a small sample of the great variety the city has to offer.

• Dreamlike beaches for all tastes: in Ceuta, there is 21 km of coastline along two bays. This extraordinary location means you get to choose between Atlantic beaches such as the Calamocarro or Benítez, and Mediterranean beaches such as the Chorrillo and the Ribera.

• Excursions to Morocco: Ceuta's proximity to Morocco allows for short excursions to beautiful cities such as Tetouan, Tangier and Chaouen, where you can enjoy a stay out of the ordinary