For travelers looking for new, unusual, and unique experiences, visiting an exclave can certainly be a way to shake things up. The North African, yet Spanish cities of Ceuta and Melilla are the perfect example of this unusual situation, each posing as an interesting destination in its own right and well worth a visit. But first, what exactly is an exclave?
An exclave is a part of a region or country that is not connected to the main part but is surrounded by another region or country. That may sound a little complicated, and sometimes exclaves can be politically complicated, however, let’s keep things simple. Alaska is an exclave of the United States as it is a part of the US that is not connected to the main body of the country. As is the Russian port city of Kaliningrad, which borders Lithuania and Poland, but not the Russian mainland. Many countries have exclaves, including Spain with the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, two distinctly European cities, that happen to be attached to North Africa.
This unusual distinction makes Ceuta and Melilla such intriguing places to visit. There is perhaps no destination on earth that has been influenced quite as much by both Africa and Europe. The result is a pair of locations, each just a short trip from the Spanish mainland, that need to be experienced to be truly understood.
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Ceuta
Ceuta is found at the very northern tip of Morrocco, where the North African nation is separated from Spain by only eight miles due to the Strait of Gibraltar. When comparing Ceuta and Melilla, Ceuta is the larger of the two exclaves, with a total size of just 7.1 sq miles, and is perhaps the easiest to access from mainland Europe.
For travelers looking to make the trip to Ceuta, the best way is the regular ferry from the southern Spanish city of Algeciras which only takes an hour. This speedy travel time makes Ceuta a viable day or two stop-off for travelers exploring southern Spain.
Although small, there’s plenty to do once you get off the ferry. Start the visit with a stroll along the marina where you will be able to spot the lighthouse, Faro del Club Nautico. After dropping your bags at a hotel, take a hike up to Fortaleza de Hacho, a fortress that dates to the 1770s that’s found on the summit of Monte Hacho. It’s worth it just for the impressive views of the city.
In the evening, head to the intriguing restaurant Goichu where chef Hugo Ruiz is blending Basque and Japanese cuisine utilizing exceptionally fresh fish from the Straits of Gibraltar.
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Melilla
Slightly smaller than Ceuta, the Spanish exclave of Melilla has a total area of only 4.7 sq miles although each is home to around 80,000 inhabitants. Still located along Morocco’s northern border, Melilla is further to the east and is slightly harder to reach. It still makes the most sense to travel from mainland Spain, however, the best way is now a flight with several Spanish cities operating a direct flight to Melilla. There are still several ferry routes, but many are over four hours long.
Much like Ceuta, in Melilla, many of the attractions are based around old fortresses built hundreds of years ago, such as Melilla la Vieja, which was built during the 16th and 17th centuries and actually has museums built into its walls. One of these is the Museo de Arqueologia e Historia, a perfect stop for those looking to fully grasp how the city has changed and developed over time.
Those looking to enjoy Melilla at a slightly slower pace have plenty of beaches to choose from, such as Playa de la Ensenada de los Galápagos, which is situated in a small cove below the walls of the fortress. Melilla is not just comprised of old fortresses, there is also a sizable amount of modernist and Art Nouveau architecture, such as the Palacio de la Asamblea, which has been the city hall since the 1950s.
Thanks to their small size both Ceuta and Melilla can be explored in a day, however, it’s always worth staying the night to ensure you have time to truly experience these cities.
For more information, visit spain.info