Melilla

Melilla is one of two Spanish cities on the African continent, set on the Mediterranean coast in front of Morocco's Rif Mountains. A trip to Melilla surprises you with a fortified old town and one of the largest collections of Art Nouveau buildings in Spain, second only to Barcelona.

History and Location

Melilla has belonged to Spain since 1497, when an expeditionary force occupied the site on behalf of the Duke of Medina Sidonia. The city covers only about twelve square kilometers and is surrounded on its landward side by a heavily secured border fence with Morocco, which claims the city. Christians, Muslims, Jews, and a small Hindu community live here together, which you can see in the churches, mosques, and synagogues across the city. Besides Spanish, many residents also speak Tamazight, the Berber language of the Rif.

Sights in Melilla

The historic center, Melilla la Vieja, sits on a rocky promontory above the harbor and is enclosed by four rings of walls dating from the 16th to the 18th century. Gates and tunnels lead you to churches, cisterns, a military museum, and viewpoints over the sea. Below it, a new town in the Modernisme style arose in the early 20th century, shaped largely by the Catalan architect Enrique Nieto, a student of Gaudí. Around the Plaza de España and Avenida Juan Carlos I, you'll find buildings with playful facades, balconies, and ornamentation, including the town hall and the Central Synagogue. Parque Hernández is the city's green lung, and beaches such as Los Cárabos lie right in front of the center.

Food, Getting There, and Best Time to Visit

Andalusian and Moroccan cuisines blend in Melilla: pinchos morunos (spiced meat skewers), couscous, fish, and sweet pastries are all equally popular. You can reach the city by plane from Málaga, Madrid, and Almería, or by ferry from Málaga, Almería, and Motril. Spring and fall are considered the best times to visit; summers are hot and humid. The border crossing into Morocco is at times restricted, so travelers should check ahead.