Hotel Melilla Puerto, Affiliated by Meliá
Melilla - Explanada San Lorenzo, S/N
Book now
Melilla is a corner of Spain in Morocco, just like Ceuta. An autonomous city of Spain located along the North African coast, it is Spanish from an administrative point of view but also in its soul and urban fabric, rich in magnificent art deco buildings – it is the Spanish city with the most modernist buildings after Barcelona – and lively tapas bars.
The population is half Spanish Christian and half Berber Muslim and Melilla’s history is marked by a continuous redrawing of borders. Its multicultural and cross-border charm is irresistible and has made it a much-visited city.
Many tourists arrive on a day trip and stay for a night or two at most to have the curious experience of being in Europe on African soil, only to discover a magnificent, well-preserved medieval fortress, interesting museums, picturesque views of the Mediterranean, pretty city beaches and a tasty local gastronomy that mixes Arabic and Spanish cuisine. Almost everyone regrets not staying longer.
Melilla is divided in two, old town and new town, and both areas are worth a visit: only then can you get the true essence of this very special place. There are plenty of things to see in both the old town and the new town: make a note of the must-see sights!
The symbol of Melilla is the Old Town fortress (also called El Pueblo), a complex, multi-level stronghold built by the Spanish between the 16th and 17th centuries and recently restored. The fortress is a veritable city within a city, still inhabited today, mixing residential areas and historical buildings; it originally consisted of four citadels linked by drawbridges.
The main entrance is Puerta de la Marina, where you are surprisingly greeted by one of the few statues of General Franco erected in Spain. From there you can climb to the top of the fortress and enjoy splendid views of the Mediterranean Sea.
As you stroll through Melilla La Vieja, you can stop and visit one or more of these attractions:
Plaza de España is the beating heart of the new town, the perfect starting point for exploring the city and the modernist jewel of Melilla. It is a circular square behind the harbour, from which the main city streets depart.
In the centre of the square is a fountain with a military monument reminiscent of Spain’s campaigns in Morocco; among the splendid buildings facing the square, the most beautiful are the Casino Militar designed by Enrique Nieto and the headquarters of the Banco de España.
One of the most beautiful modernist buildings in Melilla is the Palacio de la Asamblea, seat of the Town Hall, which stands next to the Plaza de España. Built in the first half of the 20th century, again designed by Enrique Nieto, it has three floors arranged in such a way that the shape of the building resembles a ducal crown.
Upon request, it is possible to visit the interior, of which you will appreciate the Salon Dorado and the Sala de Plenos where the municipal council is held.
Hérnandez Park is the green lung of the new city, a relaxing area where you can rest in the shade of palm trees. The entrance to the park is right in front of Plaza de España.
It is certainly not the most well-stocked or prestigious Egyptian museum in the world, but it is worth a visit to the Gaselec Museum in Melilla, which exhibits a collection of copies and reproductions of ancient Egyptian artefacts put together by a wealthy history buff. If you are still not convinced, be tempted by the free admission.
Housed inside the Torre de la Vela, the Museum of Archaeology and History of Melilla will introduce you to the fascinating history of this multicultural city. Spread over three floors, the museum traces local history from antiquity to the present day.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
The most beautiful beach in Melilla is Playa de la Ensanada de los Galápagos, reached via a tunnel that passes under the old city’s fortress. Set in a bay protected by the cliffs and the fortress walls, it is a narrow beach of golden sand that is very picturesque. Unfortunately, it is only accessible from May to September.
More easily accessible is San Lorenzo, a town beach of golden sand, 240 metres long and about a hundred metres wide. It is located near the marina and is equipped with all amenities. A short distance from San Lorenzo is another lovely sandy beach, Los Cárabos.
Other beaches in and around Melilla are: Alcazaba, La Hípica and Hipódromo.
Melilla is usually visited during the day and has not developed a strong hotel industry. The few hotels sell out all year round, so it is advisable to book in advance. The majority of hotels in Melilla are concentrated in the northern part of the city.
Low-cost travellers can count on a good number of budget accommodations such as hostels and family-run guesthouses, which are spartan and with minimal facilities but clean. If you are looking for something more luxurious, you can find a couple of 4-star hotels near the beaches.
The city of Melilla has a small airport served only by domestic flights, so there are no direct flights from Europe. To reach Melilla from Spain you can take a flight from Malaga, Almeria or Madrid or a ferry from Malaga or Almeria. The duration of the ferry crossing varies from 6 to 8 hours.
If you are already in Morocco, the entry point to the city is the border post at Beni Enzar, connected to the city centre by taxis and local buses. A 5-minute walk from the border is a train station, from where trains leave for Taourirt, a station which in turn is connected to Fes, Rabat, Casablanca and Ouijda.
There are no bus services from Morocco to Melilla: the alternative to the train is collective taxis to/from Nador, a port town about 10 km from Melilla. Ferries to Spain and France depart from Nador.
If you are arriving in Melilla from Spain, you will not need a passport because you are still in the European Union: however, we recommend that you bring one, although it is not compulsory.
If you want to travel to Morocco from Melilla, however, your passport becomes indispensable as you will be asked for it at the border. You will have to fill in an immigration form and a visa will be affixed to your document. Even when arriving in Melilla from Morocco, your documents will be checked.
What's the weather at Melilla? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Melilla for the next few days.
Melilla is located in Africa, surrounded by the Moroccan province of Nador. It faces the Alboràn Sea, the last arm of the Mediterranean before the Strait of Gibraltar. As the crow flies, the border with Algeria is closer than the coast of Andalusia.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts