Descend into Ceuta's medieval Arab Baths — among the finest surviving hammam ruins in the western Mediterranean — then discover the eccentric, dragon-adorned modernista mansion that is one of Spain's most delightfully unexpected architectural secrets. Two unmissable, crowd-free landmarks in one compelling circuit.
What to expect
Your guide leads you to the excavated Arab Baths (Baños Árabes), where arched brick vaulting and star-shaped skylights speak to a sophisticated medieval culture that thrived here centuries before the Portuguese conquest. The atmosphere is intimate and entirely crowd-free — a rare luxury. You then cross to the Casa de los Dragones (House of the Dragons), a wildly ornate early 20th-century modernista building encrusted with ceramic dragon sculptures, its facade a riot of Art Nouveau fantasy utterly incongruous and utterly wonderful in this North African context. The contrast between the two sites perfectly encapsulates Ceuta's layered identity.
Good to know
Both sites are centrally located and easily covered in 1.5–2 hours as part of a broader private city tour. The Arab Baths have limited opening hours — confirm in advance with your guide. This pairs beautifully with a stroll through the adjacent Plaza de África.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Ceuta — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Ceuta
- Ceuta Old Town Private Walking Tour: Where Europe Meets Africa
- Royal Walls & Ancient Moat of Ceuta: 2,500 Years of Fortification
- Monte Hacho Ascent: Panoramic Summit at the Pillars of Hercules
- Coastal Boat Tour of Ceuta with Dolphin Watch & Swim Stop
- Parque Marítimo del Mediterráneo: César Manrique's Masterpiece