Located on Africa's Mediterranean coast, this Spanish autonomous city has a historic center with Modernist buildings, three major religious sites, and a busy port connecting two continents.
Melilla, a Spanish city on North Africa's Mediterranean coast, sits behind a dramatic 15th-century fortress. You'll find Art Nouveau buildings by Enrique Nieto along Avenida Juan Carlos I, Gothic details at the Chapel of Santiago, and marble-paved streets leading to the Golden Triangle district. Local restaurants serve fresh Mediterranean seafood and traditional North African tagines, while the call to prayer echoes from the Central Mosque's minaret.
Modernist Architecture Route
Walk through the Golden Triangle to see over 500 Art Nouveau buildings dating from the early 1900s. The Palacio de la Asamblea displays curved facades adorned with natural motifs, while the Casa Melul catches eyes with its decorative women's faces. Architect Enrique Nieto, who lived in Melilla from 1909, designed many buildings incorporating geometric patterns, floral designs, and wrought-iron balconies typical of early 20th-century Spanish modernism.
Melilla la Vieja Fortress
The 15th-century fortress rises 30 meters above the Mediterranean on a rocky peninsula. Four moats separate different sections of this military complex. Walk through residential neighborhoods within the fortress walls, climb watchtowers for sea views, and explore historical structures like the Baluarte de la Concepción and the Hospital del Rey. A network of tunnels and passages connects multiple levels, revealing the intricate defensive system that protected the city for centuries.
Religious Buildings and Communities
Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and Buddhists maintain their traditions in Melilla. The Central Mosque's minaret rises above Plaza de España, while the Or Zaruah Synagogue serves the local Jewish community. In the streets, you'll hear Spanish, Arabic, and Tarifit. Local shops sell both European products and North African crafts, from Spanish wines to Moroccan ceramics.
Local Food Scene
Restaurants around Melilla prepare fresh Mediterranean seafood and North African specialties. Try pastela, a layered pie filled with chicken, almonds, and cinnamon, or sample grilled sardines caught that morning. Restaurants near Plaza de España specialize in tapas like calamares fritos and gambas al ajillo. Many cafes serve traditional Berber mint tea throughout the day.
Getting to Melilla
Fly directly to Melilla from Madrid, Barcelona, or Málaga. The airport is a 5-minute drive from the city center. Daily ferries connect to mainland Spain, with the Málaga route taking seven hours.
Practical Information
Melilla covers 12 square kilometers and experiences mild winters and warm summers, with temperatures rarely dropping below 10°C or rising above 32°C. Spanish is the official language, though Arabic and Tarifit are widely spoken. Since Melilla borders Morocco, bring your passport and check entry requirements if you plan to cross between territories.
