The cheapest holiday destination in Spain for March is a little-known, small city on the African coast called Ceuta and it features up to 14 hours sunlight a day
The cheapest holiday spot in Spain in the month of March is a little-known destination that benefits from hours of sun a day.
The fortified city of Ceuta sits on the North African coast, bordered by Morocco. According to the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE), it is the cheapest destination in March 2024 in Spain, with the average hotel costing €81.94 (£68.50) per night.
The little Spanish enclave, known as the ‘pearl of the Mediterranean’ is home to around 85,000 people and combines four cultures, with Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Hindu traditions. Ceuta benefits from a microclimate, which means temperatures never rise above 32C. In July and August, the average high temperature is 23C.
The city is home to the Parador de Ceuta — a state-owned luxury hotel — right next to the Royal Walls of Ceuta and surrounded by a beautiful garden with palm trees, a swimming pool and the sea just steps away.
The Royal Walls are a set of walls built with the main goal of protecting the city, and close by is also the moat of San Felipe, which stretches through 300 metres of salt water, dividing the complex of the walls and the city of Ceuta into two parts.
Located next to the port of Ceuta, is the Mediterranean Maritime Park, which is a leisure complex designed by César Manrique. It features salt water pools, sprawling green areas, exquisite restaurants and mesmerising art. Here, visitors can also enjoy a replica of the Royal Walls of Ceuta, which hosts a nightclub, a casino, and a restaurant.
One visitor commented in a review on Google: “Three huge water areas with lots of pool side seating that are numbered. I recommend getting an umbrella and mat at [the] ticket counter first, before heading to your assigned area. There are two pizza places, that are both on the outside and inside of park, as well as a restaurant.”
Entrance during the day costs €5.50 (£4.60) per adult, however you can also visit at night when it is only €1 (£0.84) per adult.
One of the main squares in the city, known as Plaza de África, is home to many monuments, including the Cathedral and the Palace of Assembly. The city also boasts Arab baths, which were used in the 12th and 13th centuries for hygiene and religious purification.
There are a number of hiking areas in the city, including some featuring multiple fortresses looking out across the ocean. If visitors want to head to the beach there are also a few options including Playa de Chorillo. One visitor said in a review: “Easily accessible, with an extension of 850 meters long by 30 wide, it extends divided by breakwaters on the southern slope of the city and borders the monumental area, with the moat and one of its walls.”
Ferries run from Algeciras to Ceuta and take around an hour.
