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The Best Things to Do in Melilla, Spain

Melillas location overlooking the sea is spectacular

With its spectacular location high on the cliffs overlooking the Alboran Sea, Melilla is well worth a trip. To help make the most of your visit, Culture Trip has assembled the must-visit sights of this Spanish city on the northwest coast of Africa.

From its impressive Catalan Modernist architecture to its fascinating museums, such as the Museo Histórico Militar and the Museo de Arqueologia e Historia, Melilla offers an excellent selection of things to do. Here are some of the best.

1. Palacio de la Asamblea

Architectural Landmark

Palacio de la Asamblea architect Enrique Nieto, Plaza de Espana, Melilla, Spain.

Melilla is home to the second-highest concentration of Catalan Modernist buildings in Spain (first place goes to Barcelona, naturally) and many of them were designed by Enrique Nieto, a brilliant pupil of Antoni Gaudí. One of Nieto’s most notable Melilla works, which dates back to 1950, is the Palacio de Asamblea, a city hall with an Art Deco facade and twin watchtowers located in Melilla’s Plaza de España.

2. Banco de España

The building of ´Banco de Espana´ on Plaza de Espana, Melilla, Spain.

Plaza de España is where you’ll also find another of Melilla’s most notable buildings, Banco de España, which boasts an arresting Classical facade and Arabic-style arches either side of its entrance. This was long the Banco de España’s local branch, which was planned by architect Juan de Zavala Lafora in 1935 and opened in 1944. The Bank of Spain moved out in 2011, making way for the military clinic that still has its base there.

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4. Melilla la Vieja

Historical Landmark

Lighthouse and viewpoint. Melilla La Vieja, Melilla, Spain.

The muscular Melilla la Vieja has played an integral role in the Spanish territory’s defensive efforts. Built throughout the 16th and 17th centuries on a hilltop looking out to sea, it’s been lovingly restored in recent years and now houses several superb museums. To enjoy some impressive views, follow the path up from the Puerta de la Mariana to the fort’s highest point.

5. Museo Histórico Militar de Melilla

Opened in 1997 to celebrate Melilla’s 500th year under Spanish control, the Museo Histórico Militar displays over 500 artefacts relating to the city’s rich military history. The collection ranges from weapons to flags and is spread over two halls occupying the site of a 16th-century ammunition warehouse. Its centrepiece is an amazingly detailed scale model of the city centre, which was made in the 19th century.

6. Museo de Arqueologia e Historia

To acquaint yourself with Melilla’s fascinating past, head to the Museum of Archaeology and History. Situated within the walls of the mighty fortress, its permanent collection is split over two levels and traces the city’s development from Prehistoric times, through its Roman and Medieval epochs, to the present day. A third floor is dedicated to temporary exhibitions.

7. Parque Hernández

Parque Hernández is a beautiful space in which to take some time out in Melilla. Join the evening paseo (stroll) on the central boulevard; enjoy a beer in the café; or check out the monuments that punctuate the greenery. There’s one remembering 17th-century playwright Lope de Vega and another in honour of Félix Rodriguez, the 20th-century pioneer of the nature TV documentary in Spain.

8. Playa de la Ensenada de los Galápagos

Natural Feature

Melilla la Vieja from the ´Ensenada de los Galapagos´ bay. Melilla. Spain.

Melilla’s best beach also happens to be one of the city’s little-known secrets. A small cove accessed by a tunnel leading under the fortress walls, Playa de la Ensenada de los Galápagos is flanked by towering Medieval walls and sheer cliffs. Although the city centre is just a few minutes’ walk away, you’ll feel gloriously secluded as you bathe in its clear waters.

9. Mezquita Central

Mezquita Central, Melilla. Spain.

One of Nieto’s most important contributions to Melilla’s religious architecture is the Central Mosque, which is situated in the Modernism-dominated Ensanche barrio (neighbourhood). Conceived by the Catalan master in the late 1930s, this unmissable yellow and white building was opened in 1947 and received a facelift in 1994. Commercial premises, a prayer room and Turkish baths are found on its ground floor.

10. Casa de los Cristales

Casa de los Cristales, Melilla, Spain

Straddling two streets in the city centre, the striking Casa de los Cristales is another Nieto masterpiece in Melilla. The “Glass House” opened as a luxurious hotel in 1927, thereafter being recreated, again by Nieto, as an office and apartment space in the mid-1930s. Distinctive green panes replaced original glass windows in the early 1980s and the building was most recently renovated in 2011.

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Swedish Nomad

15 Best Things to do in Melilla (Spain)

By: Author Swedish Nomad

Posted on Last updated: May 29, 2022

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Home / Europe / Spain / 15 Best Things to do in Melilla (Spain)

15 Best Things to do in Melilla (Spain)

Melilla is a Spanish enclave in Africa and one of the two autonomous cities of Spain bordering Morocco . The city has over 86 000 residents and has been under Spanish rule since 1497.

Almost half of the city’s population are Muslims (followers of Islam ) and despite being part of the Kingdom of Spain, it differs a lot from the Spanish mainland in Europe. 

The architecture and gastronomy are very special in Melilla as it mixes the Mediterranean, European and African styles and cooking traditions. There are daily flights and ferries departing from Málaga to Melilla and Ceuta. 

Ciudad Vieja

Old Melilla is made up of the fortification that sits north of the port, which was built around the 15 th  century. It is made up of four different areas, three of which are over the sea and the fourth on land.

It holds Melilla’s most important historical pieces, including museums and a series of ancient tunnels and gates.

old town melilla

Photo: ManuelML / Shutterstock.com

Palacio de la Asamblea

The sweeping Palacio de la Asamblea in Melilla was designed by architect Enrique Nieto y Nieto and built between 1940 and 1949.

This Modernist building is currently the town hall of Melilla, and within its walls, there are various beautiful rooms with art deco influence that can be viewed by visitors.

The Salón Dorado, which holds a gigantic painting depicting the Spanish arrival to Melilla, and the Sala de Plenos, which is used for meetings. Be sure to see it at night, when the façade lights up a brilliant pink.

Cuevas del Conventico

These caves sit between El Convento and the Conventico, two important religious buildings. The caves have three floors, the lower floor being the largest, taking the shape of a papal cross.

The niches were dug out by Phoenicians but later utilized by soldiers to allow them a place to hide and rest during the war, as well as a place for necessities like attending mass and baking bread.

Museo Histórico Militar de Melilla

The Historic Military Museum of Melilla is located in the old part of Melilla, in the fortified area of the Baluarte. The museum holds a permanent exhibition in the old gunpowder warehouse.

Visitors can see uniforms, weapons, saddles, and other various relics of warfare. The building in which the museum is located dates back to the 16 th  century, and in 1953 it was outfitted to be the city museum, before being converted into a military museum in 1997. The museum is 1100 square meters in total.

Playa de la Ensenada de los Galápagos

The Ensanada de los Galápagos beach sits in the middle of the old town of Melilla. Recently renovated, the beach has been filled with sand and brought up to date with services like lifeguards and easy access.

Surrounded by the city’s fortress, it’s one of the most picturesque beaches that is also interesting to visit for history buffs.

Mezquita Central

The Central Mosque of Melilla is the most important religious site in the whole city. Located in the Modernist Ensanche neighborhood, the cement building was built between 1945 and 1947, by the renowned architect Enrique Nieto y Nieto.

A remodeling in 1994 helped to rebuild the prayer rooms and other parts of the Mosque. The building is still used as a mosque, and also holds shops on the lower floor as well as a Turkish bath.

Casa de los Cristales

The House of Glass is a neo-Arabic building in Melilla, located in the Modernist Ensanche neighborhood. Originally built between 1920 and 1926, it was the Gran Hotel Reina Victoria before going out of business.

It was then transformed into an office building, and it acquired its nickname thanks to the hundreds of panes of glass that cover its exterior.  The façade is almost all glass, a striking feat for the time and something that is still eye-catching today.

Playa de la Hipica

Hípica Beach is located in the center of Melilla. Stretching 580 meters long, with an average width of 80 meters, it is quite a large urban beach. Its golden sand is lapped by tranquil waters, without much variation with the tides.

It’s a busy beach, thanks to its easy urban access, and it has all the facilities you need for a day at the beach: umbrella rental, showers, toilets, trash cans, and play areas.

Hernandez Park

Hernández Park is Melilla’s most important green space, located in the Modernist Ensanche neighborhood. It was built in 1902 and inaugurated in 1906, the park holds a famous lamppost, built to honor the head of Melilla’s military High Command, Venancio Hernandez Fernandez.

He was the initiator of the project and started to transform the esplanade that resulted from a change in the Oro river’s course. Populated with Canary palm trees and other vegetation, it is a popular place for locals to stroll.

Faro de Melilla La Vieja

Melilla’s lighthouse is one of the city’s historic and cultural monuments. Built in 1918, it is one of only four Spanish lighthouses on Africa’s coast.

Housed in a square building, it also holds the Fundación Melilla Ciudad Monumental, in charge of repairing Melilla’s historic building with the goal of gaining recognition for the city.

Lighthouse in Melilla

Triangulo de Oro del Modernismo

The Modernist architecture movement left an indelible mark on Melilla, so much so that there is even a designated “Modernist route” of must-see buildings, including the Casa de Cristales, the mosque, and more.

These buildings are centered in the Golden Triangle, or the Triangulo de Oro, whose great quantity of Modernist buildings are worth taking a closer look at.

This area comprises the streets Ejército Español y López Moreno from the Plaza de España, and the surrounding areas. Many buildings are built by Enrique Nieto y Nieto, a famous Catalán architect.

Almacenes de las Penuelas

The Peñuelas Warehouse is an old warehouse, one of the oldest constructions in Melilla, located in the old town. Built in 1781 as a food warehouse, they were restored in the 2000s and then opened as the Museum of Melilla.

The building is made of local stones and bricks, and its 1756 square meters hold artifacts and information about the city and its history.

Museo de Arqueologia e Historia

The Archeological and History Museum is located in the walled part of the city that dates back to the 16 th  century.  Located in the Torre de Vela, it is organized into different parts.

The upper floor holds the archaeological museum, which starts in prehistoric times and moves to contemporary times to tell the story of Melilla through found objects, drawings, and other historical pieces, covering over 10,000 years.

The bottom floor holds an area dedicated to the Jewish community of Melilla, and another to the Amazigh community.

Sinagoga de Or Zaruah o Yamín Benarroch

This synagogue is one of Melilla’s most famous buildings and the heart of Judaism in the city. Built by Enrique Nieto y Nieto between 1925 and 1927, it holds the synagogue, as well as some homes.

The façade features iron arches, mixing Nazarene influences with Arabic ones, though the layout is the traditional one for Sephardic synagogues. It was built by Yamín Benarroch, in memory of his father.

Paseo Maritimo

This stretch along the sea in Melilla is over 500 meters long. Located in the East district of the city, it runs parallel to Malagueta beach, from the Paseo de la Farola and the Paseo Marítimo Pablo Ruiz Picasso.

At the end of it are two of the city’s most important establishments, the Real Club Mediterráneo and the Antonio Martín Restaurant. It’s a favorite area for strolling for locals.

Want more recommendations on places to visit in Melilla? Leave a comment below! 

Top Things to Do in Melilla, Spain - Melilla Attractions

Things to do in melilla, explore popular experiences, top attractions in melilla.

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What travellers are saying

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  • Melilla La Vieja
  • Ciudad Autonoma de Melilla
  • Hernandez Park
  • Colección de Arte Sacro y Cuevas del Conventico
  • Triangulo de Oro del Modernismo
  • Plaza de las Cuatro Culturas
  • Ensenada de los Galápagos
  • Playa de la Hipica
  • Plaza de Espana

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What should you see in Melilla? Not to be missed

¿Qué deberías ver en Melilla?

Don’t forget that I’m waiting for you – Melilla said.

Don’t expect me to forget you – Said one person after visiting Melilla

Jennifer Aragon

This is what could happen to you too.

It is highly probable that Melilla will surprise you (for the better) and that it may be a place that will burn in your mind.

You may be wondering: What to see in Melilla?

I’ll tell you.

Unfortunately, when one thinks of Melilla, immigration and borders usually come to mind.

Honestly, that is a very poor vision of all that Melilla really is and represents. Well, this Spanish city located in the north of Africa has a lot to offer you.

A lot to whisper in your ear.

A lot to teach you.

With history, beautiful beaches, modernist architecture, a lot of cultural mixture, good food, etc.

But, above all, good people. We Melillenses are very welcoming people, and all we want is that anyone who comes from outside to visit our beautiful city feels at home.

And as I am a Melilla native (very proud of it) and a professional guide of the city, I want to show you here today, in this article, 7 unmissable places of my beloved Melilla.

So you can see how many experiences you can take home with you after your visit.

I will try, through my words, to draw in your mind the wonders of this welcoming city full of contrasts.

Shall we begin?

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Before we start, I’ll put you in context and tell you a little bit of history about Melilla.

Here we go.

Brief history of the city of Melilla

To visit Melilla is to take a trip back in time. A city with many years of history, founded by the Phoenicians under the name of Rusaddir.

Then came the Carthaginians, the Romans and the Muslims, among others. All peoples who have greatly influenced its history.

Until 1497 arrived. Here begins the Spanish era of Melilla. Exactly, on September 17, when the troops of Pedro de Estopiñán, disembark in what today is the old citadel and begin to repair and build a walled city.

They managed to reinforce the walls in a very short time to successfully contain the attacks of the population of the area.

To leave us as a legacy a fortified city with more than 500 years of history. And the best thing is that, today, we can contemplate that original wall in all its splendor.

An imposing fortress that will impress anyone.

Some history before what to see in Melilla.

You can learn more curiosities about Melilla in this article .

Now that you know a little bit more about Melilla, let’s go with the 7 must-sees you should see on your visit to the city.

What to see in Melilla? Not to be missed

Of course, the city of Melilla has a lot to offer you and you can visit much more than what I propose below. But these are essential places that have to be included in your travel plans to the city of Melilla.

Let’s go with the first must-see.

  • The Caves of the Conventico

This marvel, is a series of passages that are under Melilla the old and excavated in the rock. Something incredible and really difficult for the time it was.

To give you a different walk underground and take you back in time for a while. For you to feel what our ancestors felt.

These caves were used to store provisions and as a refuge for the population during a siege of the city by the Sultan of Morocco between 1774 and 1775.

melilla tourist attractions

So think about this when you’re walking through them.

And the best thing is that they give access to the Cala de Trápana, a spectacular place (I’ll tell you about it in the next point). The “door” of access to this beautiful cove, is a parabolic arch that props up a cave that is under the citadel itself. A magical place in its entirety.

  • The beautiful beaches of Melilla

Melilla has more than 3km of beach coastline surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea.

Some of its beaches, between spectacular cliffs. Others, in front of the city buildings. But all equally beautiful.

Melilla has a coastline and beautiful beaches and excellent weather during most of the year to enjoy them.

I’m going to list 5 of them that I think you shouldn’t miss.

Ensenada de los Galapagos: a beautiful and tiny cove located between the walls of the old city of Melilla , under the moat of Santiago. A curious thing is that it has been recently recovered. How? With a regeneration work with sand that was lost in the storms. The colour of the sand is golden and the water is very calm and clear . Its access is through the moat, in front of the boat square that pays homage to the fishermen. As it is further out, it is one of the quieter (and smaller) beaches . To quietly enjoy a cozy place and the Mediterranean Sea.

melilla tourist attractions

2.Cala de Trápana: on the other side of the viewpoint and very close to the beach of the Ensenada de los Galápagos is the beautiful Cala de Trápana . A cove where you can disconnect from the routine, sunbathe and forget about everything for a while. With crystal clear water (with nothing to envy to others), peace, tranquility and a spectacular rocky landscape around . In addition, the imposing lighthouse of Melilla at the top of the cove. It is not easy to access this place. Although this cove can be accessed only by the Cuevas del Conventico (but only to see it, not to swim) or directly to have a good time, you can get there from the sea (canoeing, paddle surfing, boat, etc…).

melilla tourist attractions

San Lorenzo Beach: an “urban” beach that is perfect for practicing sports on its sand. As for amenities, it has practically all the services: toilets, lifeguard, umbrellas and sun loungers for rent during the summer, etc.. It is a small beach, with golden sand and very calm waters. As a curiosity, it is located next to the south breakwater of the marina. Also, right in front of the promenade to allow you the luxury of a leisurely stroll watching this beautiful beach.

Beach of the Cárabos: here is the continuation of the beach of the city of Melilla and, like the rest, at the foot of the promenade. As a curiosity, it is named after the “cárabos”, which are (small) Rifian fishing boats . In them, they transported food and objects to sell them later. Another curiosity is that this beach, like the rest, has the blue flag award , an award given annually since 1987 by the European Foundation for Environmental Education to beaches and ports that meet a series of environmental conditions and facilities.

melilla tourist attractions

Playa de la Hípica: another urban beach with a length of 580 metres and easy access. A beach with calm waters, which is usually quite full in high season. But that doesn’t mean you can’t relax there, quite the contrary. Let’s say that is one of the beaches of “all life” of Melilla , and although it has been renovated, retains the essence of its old huts and changing rooms because, as a curiosity, was a private beach of the military.

melilla tourist attractions

The modernist buildings of Melilla

Taking a walk and getting lost in the modernist Ensanche of Melilla to discover its buildings is a real marvel.

Believe it or not, Melilla, after Barcelona, is the second city in Spain with more modernist buildings in the whole country.

Thanks to the influence of Enrique Nieto from Barcelona (collaborator of Gaudí and disciple of Doménech i Montaner) who gave Melilla that daring and peculiar personality that we can contemplate today. It was precisely at the beginning of the 20th century that this man revolutionized the architecture of the city with the introduction of this artistic style. Without forgetting the military engineers who carried out so many architectural works in the city.

In the streets of Melilla you can see hundreds of examples that attract your gaze.

An “urban museum” of elegant facades adorned with floral motifs, curved forms, feminine faces, wrought iron and gazebos.

You can see this “urban museum” in the central area (also called modernist triangle ) where there are no more and no less than 500 modernist buildings.

There is a kind of route of modernism, or rather, eclecticism, in Melilla.

Walking through the Ensanche of the city, you find what is known as the Golden Triangle . It is so called because there you will find a large number of modernist buildings. If you start from Plaza de España and go through the Avenida del Rey Juan Carlos I and the streets of Ejército Español and López Moreno, you will find spectacular and outstanding modernist buildings , such as the following:

  • The House of Crystals
  • The Melul House
  • Tortosa House
  • The Palace of the Assembly
  • The Reconquista building
  • The building of the newspaper El Telegrama del Rif
  • The Aqueduct building
  • The former Chamber of Commerce

melilla tourist attractions

And that’s not all. The modernist style, fused with other styles, was also incorporated into religious buildings in the city (which are also worth visiting):

  • The Central Mosque
  • The Synagogue of Yamin Benarroch, known as Or Zoruah
  • There are also other styles such as neo-Romanesque, neo-Gothic, neo-Baroque…

melilla tourist attractions

  • The Or Zoruah Synagogue

In this article I tell you more about how many cultures live together in Melilla. Hence, there are buildings of different religions in the same place.

As you can see, the city centre of Melilla has a lot of modernism to offer you. For this reason, I recommend you to walk through its streets to discover all these wonders of Melilla’s architecture.

Believe me when I tell you that this is a must-do activity.

The Central Market of Melilla and the Rastro neighbourhood

Another of the must-see places in the city of Melilla is the Central Market of Melilla and the streets of the Rastro neighbourhood , where there is a tremendous contrast of flavours, smells, clothing, etc.

To lose yourself in its corridors and get to know the true essence of the city . Because in there you know the day to day life of its people. What they eat, how their food and spices smell, what their habits are, what their food tastes like, their conversations with others, and so on.

I don’t know if you know it, but in Melilla there is a great variety because up to 5 different cultures coexist in a city with only 85.000 inhabitants. This is what I tell you in this article.

That’s why you will find shopkeepers from different cultures. Each one with its own customs and ways of doing things. It is the magic of this small city, the interculturality that exists.

Returning to the previous thread, the Central Market of Melilla, is a place to open your five senses, enjoy everything around you and know the reality of the place.

One of the things you can also find out in there, is how much life is worth (approximately) for the average Melillense by looking at the prices, something very interesting from my point of view.

Here you can find fresh fish from the Mediterranean, all kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables from the peninsula, spices from Morocco and even lamb.

Gathering in the same place, an incomparable mixture of smells.

An always active market. Always alive, it acts as the commercial heart of the city and beats every day from 8am to 3pm.

I think you’ve already guessed it, but I recommend you to visit and walk around this peculiar market and its Rastro neighbourhood.

melilla tourist attractions

The parks of Melilla

The city of Melilla also has parks where you can stroll, enjoy the tranquility, the fun of parents and children, etc..

And of course, enjoy the shade of the trees and palm trees and the peace that nature itself provides.

I am going to recommend 5 parks in Melilla that you can enjoy alone or with your family:

  • Hernandez Park: a beautiful historic garden and the oldest in Melilla, which is located in the heart of the city, where it is worth walking around, get lost, relax, disconnect, read a book, enjoy the sunset and has a variety of plants and exotic vegetation and ancient palm trees. In addition, you will see some statues of eminences such as Lope de Vega, Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente or the local Fernando Arrabal.

melilla tourist attractions

  • Jardines del Agua: near the mouth of the Rio de Oro River in the Mediterranean, you will find this park. A park composed of a set of water fountains, palm trees and a very curious statue. A charming and relaxing place to stroll and end up arriving, for example, to the nearby beach of San Lorenzo. At night, the water jets of its fountains are combined with lights, a beautiful sight to see.

melilla tourist attractions

  • Pinares de Rostrogordo: a protected natural space, full of pine trees, in the mountain, in the upper part of Melilla, where you can have your barbecue. The lung of Melilla, with about 350,000 square meters. It is a Mediterranean style forest that opens to the sea and borders with Morocco, where nature and man’s action coexist harmoniously. Melilla’s favourite place for weekend picnics. It is also an ideal place for hiking or sports.
  • Lobera Park: a park with about 80 years of history. It is about 2 hectares in size and is located in the centre of the city. It is a very beautiful park with vegetation (especially pine trees), sculptures by local artist Rafael Picazo, a pond, a bandstand, stairs, waterfalls (artificial) and pergolas, bridges and terraces at different heights.

melilla tourist attractions

  • Parque Forestal Rey Juan Carlos I: it is the largest park in the city, on the outskirts and rather close to the airport of Melilla. A place where you can enjoy and be in contact with nature, find peace and quiet or even practice sports. Lakes, walking paths, and trees that shelter you from the Melilla sun. It can even be the ideal place for a picnic.

I’ve already shown you several must-see places in Melilla and now I’m going to focus on showing you several urban places that you shouldn’t miss during your visit to my beautiful city.

Start at Plaza España:

Plaza de España

It’s a must to visit the Plaza de España , the most important square in the city at the moment and the nerve centre of the city.

The peculiarity of this square is that it is located right between the old town and the new urban center of Melilla and that it is the vertex of the modernist Golden Triangle .

A beautiful space to contemplate part of the modernism of the city and is the place where you will also find the letters of MELILLA . There is also the Palace of the Assembly and the front of the Hernández Park . Palm trees, gardens and a fountain inside (a tribute to the soldiers who fought in the Rif War), in the center of the square.

melilla tourist attractions

From Plaza España you will see the two main streets of the city centre of the metropolis: Avenida Juan Carlos I and Avenida del Ejército Español . Where you will find the most important shops in Melilla. The epicenter and arteries of the city.

Another square near (or rather next to) Plaza España that you can visit is the Plaza de las Cuatro Culturas . There you will see a monument in homage to the four most important cultures of Melilla, besides being able to contemplate the wall from the outside. Also a place where you can sit quietly and have a drink or a snack.

Less than 10 minutes walk from Plaza España, you can also get to the Noray Marina , to take pictures from there during the day and have drinks at night if you feel like it.

Also, right next to the marina, you have the promenade of Melilla, which will take you to see several beaches mentioned above.

The wall of Melilla

The wall of Melilla is a visual spectacle as a whole. But I think there are several key points of it, which your eyes can’t miss and they are as follows:

  • The lighthouse of Melilla, defensive cannons and the Lighthouse promenade
  • The towers of the wall (San Fernando, de Florentina, de los Bolaños, de las Cabras, etc.)
  • Plaza de Armas
  • Avanzadilla Square
  • Torre de la Vela
  • Santiago Gate (access to the first fortified enclosure of Melilla la Vieja).
  • Gothic Chapel of St. James (the only Gothic apse in all Africa)
  • Los Aljibes
  • Bastion of the Five Words and Bastion of the High Conception

melilla tourist attractions

Here below, I leave you the map with the key points of the wall of Melilla:

Curious museums that I recommend you to visit

Since Melilla is a city with a lot of history, we could not miss places or buildings where to preserve the history of the city through images, crafts, art, utensils, weapons, etc..

They are the Museums . Which, by the way, are free .

I present 5 time machines in the form of a museum that will transport you to a more ancient Melilla and all of them located inside the Melilla fortress (except one):

Museum of Archaeology, History and Ethnology of Melilla

A fortified city like Melilla needed good warehouses where to keep the products and materials for its supply. That is why the warehouses of Las Peñuelas were built in 1781.

These buildings with a lot of history were in decay until 2007 when the restoration of the building began, recovering the original roof and adapting the interior to the new use as a Museum of Archaeology, History and Ethnology of Melilla .

Not bad: history told inside a historic building.

Inside this very interesting Museum you will find the following sections (this could be done horizontally in some way, with an image or in sections of 4):

  • Prehistory and Neolithic
  • Phoenician and Punic Melilla
  • Mauros and Romans
  • Islamic Malila
  • Spanish Melilla XVI – XIX Century
  • Contemporary Melilla
  • Sephardic Culture
  • Amazigh Culture
  • Gypsy Culture

Melilla la Vieja Interpretation Centre

The Interpretation Centre is located in the Torreón de las Cabras . It is an exhibition space created to interpret and understand the construction and evolution of the fortified enclosures of Melilla.

You will see that the CIMLAV centre has two levels (upper and lower), as it houses the access lift to the old Melilla, thus avoiding the steep slopes.

As for the content of the Interpretation Centre, it is a magnificent space, very well kept, which explains the genesis of the fortress of the city.

You will find, in the center of the room and with a lot of presence, a wall that appeared among the remains of the embankment. A wall that you will see emerging from its foundation through the floor slab. Around it, you will be able to contemplate, through a display of images, the history of the walls of Melilla .

We could say that it is a very impressive space, like a kind of living museum of the art of the fortress of Melilla .

Military Historical Museum of Melilla

This museum is located on the bastion of La Concepción, the highest point of Melilla la Vieja, just above the rock formation of the Ensenada de los Galápagos. This means that here you can have spectacular views from the heights.

The space has three terraces to contemplate the best views of Melilla and its surroundings.

With very curious and well preserved historical pieces (armament, uniforms, etc).

The highlight is the model of the replica of the Plaza de Melilla, as it was in 1846. Here you will see the configuration of the square with its four enclosures and with accurate details (buildings, batteries, forts, etc).

Other pieces that might catch your eye are Queen Elizabeth II’s saddle and the German enigma cipher machine used for communications between the General Staff and the Spanish Blue Division.

Curious and at the same time very interesting.

Ibáñez Museum: Modern and Contemporary Spanish Art

This peculiar museum is located inside the Torre de la Vela in the heart of Melilla la Vieja. A beautiful building is the Torre de la Vela or Torre del Reloj .

The Ibáñez Museum will try to take you on a two hundred year journey through modern and contemporary Spanish Art in six rooms.

Throughout the length and breadth of the rooms, you will see exhibited part of the personal collection of García Ibáñez himself (to whose name the Museum is named) and a careful selection belonging to the artistic heritage of Melilla.

But not only that. You will also get to know the works of the main masters of Spanish Painting, Sculpture, Drawing, Engraving and Photography.

Each of the six rooms has a theme or a headline and they are as follows:

  • Goya and the 19th century
  • Modernism, Noventayochism and early Vanguards
  • Melilla Modernist Sculpture
  • Avant-garde and abstraction
  • Realism and Documentary
  • Contemporary Melilla Painting

For you to enjoy the sense of sight and make your imagination fly to another time, other thoughts, other points of view.

Egyptian Museum of Melilla

Egypt in Melilla? Yes, it is. Surprising, isn’t it?

It turns out that the tiny city of Melilla has no more and no less than the 2nd most important Egyptian Museum in Spain , after the one in Barcelona.

With more than 250 original pieces from thousands of years old from the Egyptian world of yesteryear.

>>By the way, it is the only museum of those I have named that is located outside the fortress of Melilla la Vieja.<<

On the walls, you’ll find more than seventy information panels that talk about absolutely everything you need to know about what you’ll see and the ancient Egyptian world in general (even names of pharaohs in hieroglyphics).

This museum, spectacular, spotless and with an incredible presentation, has 3 floors:

GROUND FLOOR

In the Plant you will see general ideas of what Ancient Egypt was like.

FIRST FLOOR

On the first floor you will find sections dedicated to cuneiform, hieroglyphic, hieratic and demotic writing (including a papyrus with demotic writing) and several envelopes and tablets with inscriptions in cuneiform writing, made in terracotta.

SECOND FLOOR

Here, on this floor, you will find such curious pieces as sarcophagus lids, funerary objects, jewellery, models, gods, weapons, animal mummies and much more. You can also find perhaps the most important piece: the grave goods of Querta.

While you’re in Melilla, why not teleport yourself for an hour and a half to the ancient and incredible Egyptian world?

Now you know much more about Melilla

Congratulations for having arrived here and thank you for wanting to know more about my beautiful city: Melilla.

I hope this article has been useful to you and above all that you have found what you were looking for.

And as a gift, for reaching the end, I give you a small general summary of the must-see in Melilla, to make it more visual for you:

  • The Modernist buildings of the Eixample
  • The Central Market of Melilla and the surroundings of the flea market.
  • The city’s beautiful parks and gardens
  • Plaza España
  • Key points of the fortified city of Melilla la Vieja
  • The curious and interesting Museums of Melilla

In general terms, these are the must-see places in the city of Melilla. I hope you enjoy your visit.

By the way, if you don’t know how to get to Melilla or how to get around once in the city, I tell you everything in detail in this article .

By the way, in case you didn’t know, my name is Jennifer (from Melilla), I’ve been an official guide of Melilla for several years and I love my job.

If you want to discover the city in more depth and have a great time (they say I’m very nice), I offer you two options: the first one is to visit my services page and the second one is to contact me directly by email right here below.

Otherwise, I encourage you to write in the comments what you thought of this content or ask me any questions you have about my services as a guide.

See you in Melilla!

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Top 50 things to do and attractions in Melilla

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1 Melilla la Vieja

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2 Ensenada de los Galápagos

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3 Cuevas del Conventico

4 plaza de españa, 5 museo militar.

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6 Palacio de la Asamblea

7 parque hernández, 8 cala de trápana, 9 playa de san lorenzo, 10 playa de la hípica, 11 central mosque of melilla, 12 tetería nazarí, 13 puerta de la marina, 14 playa de horcas coloradas, 15 playa de los cárabos.

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16 Jardines del Agua

17 iglesia de la purísima concepción, 18 bank of spain building in melilla, 19 plaza de armas, 20 cafe bar hanna, 21 parque forestal juan carlos i, 22 sinagoga de or zaruah o yamín benarroch, 23 defensive cannons of the old city of melilla, 24 colección de arte sacro, 25 monumento a enrique nieto.

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26 Estatuas de Miguel de Cervantes y El Quijote

27 paseo marítimo de melilla, 28 museo egipcio de melilla ( m.e.m ), 29 iglesia del sagrado corazon de jesus, 30 melilla park mall, 31 oficina de turismo, 32 puerta de santiago, 33 monumento al ejército de áfrica, 34 marine station melilla, 35 teatro cine perelló..

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36 Casa David J. Melul

37 fuerte de rostrogordo, 38 parroquia castrense, 39 museo ibañez, 40 plaza san lorenzo, 41 playa del hipódromo, 42 parroquia de san francisco javier, 43 centro de interpretación de melilla la vieja, 44 pinares de rostrogordo, 45 agustín jerez park.

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46 Museo Militar

47 monumento a los héroes de taxdirt en 1909, 48 edificio el acueducto, 49 cruz de los caídos, 50 baluarte de san jose alto, popular road trips from melilla, what's the weather like in melilla.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Melilla for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

  • Weather in Melilla in January
  • Weather in Melilla in February
  • Weather in Melilla in March
  • Weather in Melilla in April
  • Weather in Melilla in May
  • Weather in Melilla in June
  • Weather in Melilla in July
  • Weather in Melilla in August
  • Weather in Melilla in September
  • Weather in Melilla in October
  • Weather in Melilla in November
  • Weather in Melilla in December

All road trips from Melilla

  • Melilla to Barcelona drive
  • Melilla to Madrid drive
  • Melilla to Malaga drive
  • Melilla to Marrakech drive
  • Melilla to Almeria drive
  • Melilla to Fes drive
  • Melilla to Tangier drive
  • Melilla to Chefchaouen drive
  • Melilla to Ceuta drive

Explore nearby places

  • Castell de Ferro
  • Ain Temouchent
  • Roquetas de Mar
  • La Herradura
  • El Cabo de Gata
  • Cabo de Gata

All related maps of Melilla

  • Map of Melilla
  • Map of Beni Ansar
  • Map of Nador
  • Map of Saidia
  • Map of Berkane
  • Map of Al Hoceima
  • Map of Oujda
  • Map of Taza
  • Map of Tlemcen
  • Map of Almerimar
  • Map of La Geria
  • Map of Adra
  • Map of Calahonda
  • Map of Carchuna
  • Map of Castell de Ferro
  • Map of Ain Temouchent
  • Map of Torrenueva
  • Map of El Ejido
  • Map of Roquetas de Mar
  • Map of Sorvilan
  • Map of Motril
  • Map of Dalias
  • Map of Salobrena
  • Map of Aguadulce
  • Map of Berja
  • Map of Vicar
  • Map of Almunecar
  • Map of La Herradura
  • Map of Felix
  • Map of El Cabo de Gata
  • Map of Cabo de Gata

Melilla throughout the year

  • Melilla in January
  • Melilla in February
  • Melilla in March
  • Melilla in April
  • Melilla in May
  • Melilla in June
  • Melilla in July
  • Melilla in August
  • Melilla in September
  • Melilla in October
  • Melilla in November
  • Melilla in December

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Melilla?

Get inspired for your trip to Melilla with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

  • 1-Day Melilla Itinerary
  • 2-Day Melilla Itinerary
  • 3-Day Melilla Itinerary
  • 4-Day Melilla Itinerary
  • 5-Day Melilla Itinerary

Best attractions in nearby cities

  • Top things to do and attractions in Almunecar
  • Top things to do and attractions in Roquetas de Mar

Best restaurants in nearby cities

  • Where to eat: the best restaurants in Almunecar
  • Where to eat: the best restaurants in Saidia
  • Where to eat: the best restaurants in Cabo de Gata
  • Where to eat: the best restaurants in Aguadulce

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Is Melilla Worth Visiting? 6 Reasons Why You MUST Visit!

By Author Paulina

Posted on Published: July 31, 2017  - Last updated: December 4, 2023

It shows a wide and overview of Melillla and a big body of water. It is sunny and a beautiful day.

So despite all attempts of dissuasion from my Spanish peninsula friends, I finally made it to Melilla ! Rarely was I more curious, even nervous to discover a new destination…  

Was it true what they said that Melilla is a stronghold of organized crime ? Are dramas happening every day at the borders as suggested in the news?

After traveling with a somewhat queasy feeling, I finally needed to acknowledge that Melilla is one of Spain’s most colorful and intriguing cities! Read here 6 reasons why…

A building with cobblestones and stairs.

1. Melilla La Vieja

melilla tourist attractions

2. Hernandez Park

melilla tourist attractions

3. Colección de Arte Sacro y Cuevas del Conventico

melilla tourist attractions

4. Triangulo de Oro del Modernismo

melilla tourist attractions

5. Ciudad Autonoma de Melilla

melilla tourist attractions

6. Ensenada de los Galápagos

melilla tourist attractions

7. Plaza de Espana

melilla tourist attractions

8. Almacenes de las Penuelas

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9. Ruta Modernista en Melilla

melilla tourist attractions

10. Plaza de Toros La Mezquita del Toreo

melilla tourist attractions

11. Monumento a Enrique Nieto

melilla tourist attractions

12. Sinagoga Or Zaruah o Yamin Benarroch

melilla tourist attractions

13. Plaza de las Cuatro Culturas

melilla tourist attractions

14. Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus

melilla tourist attractions

15. Estatuas de Miguel de Cervantes y El Quijote

melilla tourist attractions

16. Oficina de Turismo de Melilla

melilla tourist attractions

17. Playa de la Hipica

melilla tourist attractions

18. Cala de Trapana

melilla tourist attractions

19. Fundación Gaselec

melilla tourist attractions

20. Faro de Melilla La Vieja

melilla tourist attractions

21. Mercadillo del Sepes

melilla tourist attractions

22. Paseo Maritimo

melilla tourist attractions

23. Puerta de la Marina

melilla tourist attractions

24. Museo Militar

melilla tourist attractions

25. Plaza Heroes de Espana

melilla tourist attractions

26. Carrera Africana

melilla tourist attractions

27. Monumento al Ejercito de Africa

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28. Naviera Armas

melilla tourist attractions

29. Casa Tortosa

melilla tourist attractions

30. Puerta de Santiago

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View of the lighthouse in the Citadel of Melilla

Four reasons for a trip to Melilla

melilla tourist attractions

Visit a walled city

There is no better way to learn about its history than to walk around the Citadel , also known as Melilla la Vieja (old Melilla) or "El Pueblo” (the village). The city walls were initially built on rock in the 15 th century and different cultures have left their mark over time. It is a monumental complex made up of four enclosures separated by a moat or cut, three of them built on a rocky crag that juts out into the Mediterranean, and the fourth on the mainland, in an area known as the height of the old Cerro del Cubo, where the Parador de Turismo now stands. You will learn about the history of Melilla, enjoying small, charming neighbourhoods, incredible panoramic views, watchtowers and buildings of great beauty, such as the Baluarte de la Concepción or the Hospital del Rey , among other things.

View of the David J. Melul House in Melilla

Discover modernist buildings

Melilla is the city in Spain with the second highest number of modernist buildings after Barcelona, thanks in large part to Enrique Nieto, Gaudi's apprentice who lived in Melilla from 1909.  Melilla's modernism can be clearly seen in its curved buildings, full of movement and natural motifs or women's faces, which contrast with the geometric forms of its classical buildings. The so-called Golden Triangle , where some of the city's most renowned modernist works are located, such as the Palacio de la Asamblea, the Casa Melul, the Reconquista building and the Plaza de Menéndez Pelayo, is a must-see.

Green tea with mint

Enjoy its gastronomy

Melilla is worth a visit not only for its architectural heritage but also for its varied gastronomy; a mixture of flavours and smells, inspired by Mediterranean, European and African cuisine, the result of the fusion of the four cultures that have coexisted in the city over the years: Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu.  Sample delicious tapas at an affordable price, made mainly with seafood, such as squid, fried fish or prawns. The lamb kebabs, which are usually accompanied by couscous, are another of the city's culinary delights. Some of its traditional dishes are pastela , a kind of meat pie made with chicken, icing sugar and cinnamon; fish pie with monkfish, marlin, prawns and langoustines; tortilla de colores , a mix of vegetables and egg, and sweet couscous . All this accompanied by a delicious green tea with mint , a traditional Berber beverage with an exquisite flavour.

Aerial view of the Malagueta bullring and the port of Malaga, Andalusia

Proximity to Malaga, with boats sailing daily

Finally, another reason to visit Melilla is its proximity to cities such as Malaga , which is only seven hours away by ferry, with boats sailing daily to the Andalusian city, offering a comfortable crossing of the Mediterranean. They are so close to each other that we recommend you reserve a few days to walk the streets of Picasso's hometown and enjoy its historic monuments, such as the Cathedral , the Alcazaba or the Roman Theatre .

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City walls, lighthouse and harbor in Melilla, Spanish province in Morocco. The rocky coast of the Mediterranean Sea.; Shutterstock ID 589530758; Your name (First / Last): Lauren Keith; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Editorial; Full Product or Project name including edition: Destination page image update

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Who would expect to find hundreds of modernist buildings, the second-largest such collection outside Barcelona, in North Africa? Yet here they are, along with one perfectly preserved medieval fortress, several fascinating museums and a wealth of tapas bars. The result is Melilla, a great place to spend the weekend.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Melilla. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Melilla La Vieja

Melilla La Vieja

Perched over the Mediterranean, Melilla la Vieja is a prime example of the fortress strongholds that the Spaniards built along the Moroccan littoral…

Palacio de Asamblea

Palacio de Asamblea

Nieto’s art-deco Palacio de Asamblea, whose floor plan depicts a ducal crown, is an operating town hall, although the staff at the entrance are willing to…

Casa Ibáñez Museum De Arte Contemporáneo

Casa Ibáñez Museum De Arte Contemporáneo

Melilla's best gallery can be found inside Torre de la Vela, an 18th-century building within the fortress walls. It's worth wandering the six showrooms…

Plaza de España

Plaza de España

Plaza de España is the beating heart of Melilla, with arteries leading to the modernist new town and fortress. It's also where you can catch a bus to the…

Casino Militar

Casino Militar

The magnificent two-storey building lining Plaza de España holds free temporary art exhibitions in rooms extending from its Enrique Nieto–designed hall…

Cuevas del Conventico

Cuevas del Conventico

These extensive and well-restored caves were used for storage as well as a refuge during sieges, and pop out at a small beach below the cliffs. The…

Museo de Historia, Arqueología y Etnográfico

Museo de Historia, Arqueología y Etnográfico

The fortress' warehouses are now home to two fascinating museums; one dedicated to the history of the Amazigh (Berber), Sephardic (Jewish) and Gitana …

Playa de la Ensanada de los Galápagos

Playa de la Ensanada de los Galápagos

Nestled below cliffs and the towering fortress walls is the secluded beach of Playa de la Ensanada de los Galápagos, open from June to September (with…

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THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Melilla

Things to do in melilla, explore popular experiences, top attractions in melilla.

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What travellers are saying

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  • Melilla La Vieja
  • Ciudad Autonoma de Melilla
  • Hernandez Park
  • Colección de Arte Sacro y Cuevas del Conventico
  • Triangulo de Oro del Modernismo
  • Plaza de las Cuatro Culturas
  • Ensenada de los Galápagos
  • Playa de la Hipica
  • Plaza de Espana

Visit Melilla: The Spanish City With A Medieval Fort Surrounded By Morocco

Melilla is one of Spain's exclave cities and one of the most interesting excursions to consider while visiting Morocco.

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Melilla: what to know of spain's forgotten north african exclave city, the modernist architecture & other attractions in melilla, see impressive medieval fortifications in melilla.

Melilla is one of the twin Spanish cities on the coast of North Africa bordering Morocco (the other city being Ceuta). Along with the picturesque Canary Islands off the coast of Africa , Melilla and Ceuta are autonomous regions of Spain. Melilla is part of the European Union but has some special rules for entry.

Like Ceuta, Melilla has a long militaristic history and has an impressive medieval fort (and like Ceuta, it is claimed by Morocco). The population of the city is mostly of Spanish and Moroccan extraction, with Hindu and Jewish minorities. The vibe and culture of the city are something of a fusion of influences.

There are some parallels to the strategically fortified Spanish cities of Melilla and Ceuta jutting out into the Strait of Gibraltar with the strategic British city of Gibraltar jutting out from Spain at the other side of the strait. One of the parallels with Gibraltar is the resident colony of monkeys (Gibraltar is home to the only wild colony of monkeys in Europe). Melilla has its own colony of mischievous monkeys.

  • Population: 86,500

Unlike Ceuta, Melilla is connected to Europe not only by ferries but also by its airport (with daily flights to the Spanish cities of Almeria and Malaga).

If one is touring the exotic wonders of Morocco, take the time to pop over to Melilla for the day and enjoy the contrasts of a piece of Spain on the coast of North Africa. Not only can people just pop into Melilla while visiting Morocco, but travelers can also come by ferry from the famous southern beach city of Malaga. It is around seven hours away by ferry.

One of the main attractions of Malaga is the Malaga Cathedral - one of the most important monuments of the city. Its south tower and main facade remain unfinished and are found in the center of the town (in Barcelona, the famous Sagrada Familia remains under construction despite being in building for over 100 years).

Perhaps the most adventurous way to visit Morocco and Melilla is by coming from Spain by ferry (Morocco is only 1.5 hours from Spain by ferry).

Related: Why Morocco Is The Best Country From Which To Explore The Sahara

Melilla is famous for its Modernist architecture. Notably, it has the second most (around 900) Art Deco and Modernist buildings in Spain (after Barcelona). Some of the most famous buildings are located in the Golden Triangle of the city. Arguably the stunning beauty of Melilla makes it one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Spain .

Take the time to visit the Conventico Caves that have been excavated in the rock. During times of war, religious services were held there. Soldiers would also sleep there between attacks. Today they are open to the public.

Another attraction is the Hospital del Rey, located in the Melilla Vieja fortress. It was built in the 18th century inside the enclosures of the walls. Today it has a temporary exhibition hall and is the headquarters of the Central Archive and Publications Service.

Activities to enjoy include scuba diving, water sports, and hiking.

Related: This Is Why Everyone Should Visit Morocco (And What To Watch Out For)

Melilla has a long history as a trading and military outpost - it dates from the Phoenician times. During Roman times it was a fortified town and port ( Morocco has a long and impressive Roman history , and there are plenty of Roman ruins to discover). For centuries the Romans controlled the north coast of Africa, and today there are many Roman ruins all along the coastline. The Spanish occupied Melilla in 1497, and the Moroccans tried to take the city in the centuries that followed, but it remained under Spanish control.

The population was only small for a long time (in 1860, there were only 375 inhabitants there).

With the ever-present risk of war and siege, a lot of effort was put into the construction of fortifications for the city. One of the main attractions of touring Melilla is the Citadel (also called Melilla la Vieja - or Old Melilla in English). The walls of the city were first built on the rock in the 15th century. The citadel is a monumental complex with four enclosures separated by a moat. Four of the enclosures are built on a rock crag jutting out into the Mediterranean, and the fourth one is located on the mainland.

Today the Ciudadela citadel is an excellent example of the evolution of the military architecture of Spain dating from between the 15th and 18th centuries.

One of the more impressive sections of the citadel is called La Ciudadela. It is now the site of the Military Museum at Melilla.

PlanetWare.com

11 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Tangier

Written by Jess Lee Updated Feb 22, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Tangier became famous in the mid-20th century as the louche destination for a European and American literary set. Today, the foreign writers and artists that partied here have long gone, and Tangier has revamped itself again into a thriving, modern city.

The major tourist attraction is Tangier's medina (old town), where the winding alleys hold small museums in restored mansions, historic monuments, and souqs. For atmosphere and photography, this area is one of the best places to visit in the city.

Tangier is also one of the best places to visit and base yourself while exploring the northern Atlantic Coast and the Mediterranean Coast. Some of the top things to do within day-tripping distance include exploring the Roman ruins of Lixus, the seafront panoramas at Cap Spartel, and visiting the Mediterranean Coast's Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

The busy port here has plenty of ferries heading to and from Spain, so Tangier is often the first taste of Morocco for overlanders. After disembarking, spend a couple of days here exploring the city before heading onwards farther south or east.

Help plan your stay with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Tangier.

See also: Where to Stay in Tangier

1. Explore Tangier's Medina

2. visit tangier's kasbah, 3. dive into local history at the kasbah museum, 4. café hop in tangier's ville nouvelle, 5. admire the sea views at cap spartel & rmilat park, 6. day trip to lixus & larache, 7. day trip into spanish territory at ceuta, 8. enjoy the sea air on tangier beach, 9. day trip to asilah, 10. visit st. andrew's church, 11. discover spain's other enclave at melilla, history of tangier, where to stay in tangier for sightseeing, tips & tours: how to make the most of your visit to tangier.

A colorful alleyway in the Tangier Medina

Tangier's medina (old city) tumbles down the cliff towards the ocean in a labyrinth of narrow alleyways.

The medina (and the adjoining kasbah at the medina's northwest end) will probably be the focus of your Tangier visit. A lot of Tangier's boutique hotel accommodation is based within the medina's 15th-century Portuguese-built walls, but if you're not staying inside, enter through the gate of Bab Fass , on the eastern end of the Ville Nouvelle's Grand Socco plaza.

During its fast-paced past, the medina was a playground for author Paul Bowles and America's legendary beatnik literary figures such as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William Burroughs.

Today very little is left from this bohemian past, though make sure to sit down for a coffee or tea at Café Central in the medina's Petit Socco, which is one of the cafés Burroughs' used to hang out at.

The Petit Socco is the central vortex of medina life. This little square is where old men sit for hours drinking tea and playing backgammon. Do as they do, and beeline here whenever you need a break from alley exploring.

The medina is more about soaking up the atmosphere rather than specific sights, but just west of the Petit Socco on Rue Siaghine is the Church of the Immaculate Conception , built by the Spanish in 1880. East of the square is the Grand Mosque.

In the southeast corner of the medina is the American Legation Museum, once the US consulate building and the oldest American diplomatic post in the world. Morocco was the first country to recognize the newly independent USA and established its legation here in Tangier in 1821. The museum inside traces the history of the relationship between the US and Morocco, and the exhibits inside include George Washington's famous letter to Moulay Abdullah.

The Tomb of Tangier-born Ibn Battuta (Morocco's famed 14th-century traveler and writer) is found in the medina's northwest corner.

The medina is a great place for snacking, street food, and cheap local eats, particularly the area around the Petit Socco.

Entrance to the Kasbah

Tangier's Kasbah (a high-walled defensive fortress where the sultan once lived) takes up the northern section of the medina.

The main gate into the Kasbah (accessed from the northwest medina wall) opens onto a large courtyard, which leads to Dar el-Makhzen Palace, once the sultan's residence and today used as the Kasbah Museum.

The palace was built in the 17th century and enlarged by each reigning sultan. The carved wooden ceilings and marble courtyard showcase the intricacies of Moroccan craftwork.

The various cafés within the Kasbah, with views across the Mediterranean Sea below, offer some of Tangier's most scenic stops for mint tea and lunch .

Address: Porte de la Kasbah, Rue Tabor

Kasbah Museum

This excellent museum inside the Kasbah is based in the restored Dar el-Makhzen Palace . The museum brings together an amazing number of exhibits tracing Morocco's tumultuous and complicated history.

For history lovers, the Antiquities Collection is a must-visit, displaying mosaics and statuary from the country's prime ancient Roman sites such as Lixus and Volubilis, as well as exhibiting a life-size model of a Carthaginian tomb.

There are also displays explaining Tangier's history and a large section devoted to Moroccan arts.

The Fes Room is particularly interesting , containing silks and illustrated manuscripts, as well as centuries-old ceramics decorated from golden yellow to the famous Fes-blue.

Address: Rue Riad Sultan, Kasbah

Ville Nouvelle

Tangier's ville nouvelle (new city) is a must for fans of late 19th- and early 20th-century architecture, as it features many fine buildings from this time period.

Here, you'll find the Terrasse des Paresseux (Terrace of the Idle , also known as Place Faro), where you can look out at the spectacular ocean view that has captivated so many European artists.

With the harbor before you, look across the water for the hazy silhouettes of Gibraltar and southern Spain in the distance.

After you've finished admiring the view, don't miss grabbing a table at the Gran Cafe de Paris , just west of the terrace, on Place de France, which is Tangier's most famous café and has been in business since 1927. A major part of Tangier's modern history, this was a major hang-out for the literary set who once made Tangier their home.

Heading north from the Gran Cafe de Paris, along Rue de la Liberte, you'll arrive at the Grand Socco (the main square) which marks the end of the new city and entry to the medina. This is where Tangier locals come to stroll, play, and sit in the surrounding cafés for hours.

Just to the square's north is the Mendoubia Gardens, a shady spot full of fig and dragon trees.

Cap Spartel

Geography fans won't want to miss this Tangier side trip. Cap Spartel, about 11 kilometers west of Tangier , marks Africa's northwest tip . The promontory projects into the water, marking the boundary of the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean.

This entire stretch of coast though is worthy of more exploration, particularly if you want to break up your city sightseeing with a gentle forest hike.

On your way to (or from) Cap Spartel, stop off at Rmilat Park on the western edge of Tangier, eight kilometers east of the cape. This 70-hectare ocean-front forest slope is home to a range of rambling walking trails that weave across the hill down to the cliffs that meet the sea.

The entire forest was once owned by Greek-American Ion Perdicaris (the park is also known as Perdicaris Park) who used it as his summer residence and planted a diverse range of flora here that still flourishes today and contributes to it being one of Morocco's most biodiverse gardens .

You'll easily spot eucalyptus, poplar, mimosa, and weeping willow trees lining the trails as well as pine and oak.

As well as hiking the trails and taking in the sea views, you can also visit the large villa Perdicaris built in 1877, and was later kidnapped by the Rif Mountain bandit Ahmed al-Raisuni in 1904 in the famous international incident which became known as the Perdicaris Affair. The villa has been restored into a museum.

For atmosphere, the best time to come to Cap Spartel is at sunset , when you can see dusk settle over the Atlantic. This is the busiest period though, as plenty of Tangier locals head out here for some fresh early evening air. For a quieter visit plan to head here in the morning.

The lighthouse here, at the tip of the promontory, is especially photogenic, and there's a great café next door where you can grab a coffee or a juice and take in the sea views.

Just below the promontory is the five-kilometer-long stretch of Achakkar Beach. At the beach's southern end are the Hercules Caves (Grottes d'Hercule) where, according to local myth, Hercules once lived.

Larache

The seaside town of Larache, 88 kilometers south of Tangier, is the closest settlement to the Lixus archaeological site, where Greek legend tells that Hercules gathered the golden apples.

The site was a trading center for first the Phoenicians, then the Carthaginians, and finally the Romans, but its history is thought to be much older than these conquerors.

The ruins include a temple, theater, acropolis, and baths, and although the site is overgrown, it's highly atmospheric.

After visiting the site, head six kilometers west into Laroche itself, where the petite seafront medina with its blue and white alleys are home to remnants of the town's Hispano-Moorish architecture.

If you're heading down the coast, Laroche is a good stop-off point between Tangier and Rabat.

Ceuta

One of Spain's enclaves on the Moroccan coast, this outpost of Spanish culture, 79 kilometers east of Tangier, is a major transport hub, with ferries across the Mediterranean Sea to Algeciras.

The old fortifications (built by the Portuguese) around the San Felipe Moat are the town's main sight, but Ceuta also offers a handful of small but interesting museums and art galleries to visit, as well as historic architecture to view.

The contemporary art galleries of the Museo de los Muralles Reales and Museo de la Basilica Tardorromana, which is based in the excavated ruins of a basilica, are two of the most worthwhile.

Those with an interest in religious art and architecture should also visit Ceuta's main square, home to the interesting Cathedral Museum and the 15th-century Church of Our Lady of Africa.

You will need your passport to enter Ceuta, as you are officially entering Spain. If you're traveling east along the Mediterranean Coast, Ceuta is a worthwhile stop off between Tangier and Tetouan .

Tangier City Beach

Tangier's beachside district is intrinsically linked to the city's mid-20th-century heyday, when the beautiful and louche literary residents of Tangier made this one of the world's most famous strips of sand.

Its heyday is now long gone, but the beach area is still a good place for a stroll, with plenty of locals promenading and playing football along its length.

Swimming here is unfortunately not a good idea, as the water isn't very clean, but if you just want to get some sea air, stretch your legs, and take in a bit of local life, it's worth a visit.

To see the beach at its busiest, come at dusk, when you'll find local families and groups of friends enjoying the seafront's fresh breezes here.

Location: Off Avenue Mohammed VI

Asilah

The little town of Asilah, about 40 kilometers from Tangier on the northwest tip of Morocco's Atlantic coast, has a history that stretches back to the Roman era.

More recently, it has been under the control of both Spain and Portugal. But the town's imposing ramparts, with surviving bastions and towers, now offer a setting for delightful seaside walks.

The Portuguese fortifications enclose an old town of pretty white-and-blue-washed houses with a distinctive Mediterranean feel.

The town is also famous for fried seafood dishes. Restaurants line the shore, making a great place to put your feet up while you sample some fish.

St. Andrew's Church

Tangier's Anglican church is one of the city's more relaxing spots and is a great place to visit if the hustle of the city is grinding you down.

The still functioning church (which has two morning services every Sunday) was built in 1905 and has a tranquil and rather stark interior, which incorporates traditional Moroccan architectural elements.

Outside, the small cemetery contains interesting tombstones from the early 20th century. Of particular note, writer and Tangier resident Walter Harris (author of Morocco That Was ) is buried here.

Except on Sundays, the church is kept locked, but visitors can simply knock on the door, and the caretaker will open the church up for you to view.

Address: Rue d'Angleterre

Melilla

Along with Ceuta, Melilla is a Spanish enclave on Moroccan soil. Today it's a busy port town, with daily ferries to the Spanish ports of Malaga and Almeria, but Melilla's tourist attractions are also worth a day of your time if you're planning on traveling east along the Mediterranean Coast from Tangier.

Melilla's fortified old town (Melilla la Vieja) is the main focus of most of the town's sightseeing. Inside you'll find a handful of small museums; the cave and tunnel complex of Las Cuevas del Conventico, which were first excavated by the Phoenicians; and a 17th-century cathedral.

At nearby Three Fork's Cape , gaze out over the perfectly turquoise waters. From the lighthouse, you can see many small beaches and great blocks of anthracite rise out of the waters.

According to Greek mythology Tangier, or Tingi, was founded by the giant Antaeus. Tingi is mentioned by Carthaginian travelers as early as 500 BC, and Phoenician sailors visited even earlier.

After the destruction of Carthage, Tingi was affiliated with the Berber kingdom of Mauretania. It then became an autonomous state under Roman protection, eventually becoming a Roman colony in the 3rd century AD during the reign of Diocletian, and ending as the capital of Mauretania Tingitana.

In the fifth century, Vandals conquered and occupied Tingi and from here swept across North Africa.

A century later, Tingi became part of the Byzantine Empire and gradually fell into obscurity until the city's capture by Moussa bin Nasser during the first years of the eighth century. The city's inhabitants were converted to Islam, but many Berber tribes joined the schismatic Kharijite rebellion and seized the port city in AD 739.

When Moulay Idriss I established his kingdom at Volubilis in AD 788, Tangier became a focal point in the struggle between the Idrisid dynasty and the Umayyads. This struggle continued until the Fatimid dynasty from Tunisia assumed power in AD 958.

Tangier came under the successive sway of the Almoravides and Almohades, after which the city fell under the influence of the Tunisian Hafsid dynasty before passing into the hands of the Merenids.

By the 14th century, Tangier became a major Mediterranean port frequented by European trading vessels bringing cloth, spices, metals, and hunting birds in exchange for leather, wool, carpets, cereals, and sugar.

After an unsuccessful attempt to seize Tangier in 1437, the Portuguese finally conquered and occupied the city in 1471, converting the great mosque into a cathedral.

For nearly three centuries, the town was passed back and forth between the Spanish, Portuguese, and finally the English, when it was given to Charles II as part of the dowry from Catherine of Braganza.

The English granted Tangier a charter, which made the city equal to English towns.

In 1679, Moulay Ismail made an unsuccessful attempt to seize the town but maintained a crippling blockade, which ultimately led to a British retreat.

Under Moulay Ismail, the city was reconstructed to some extent but gradually declined until, by 1810, the population was no more than 5,000.

Tangier began to revive from the mid-19th century, when European colonial governments fought for influence over Morocco.

Luxury Hotels:

  • For contemporary living, the facilities and service at Hilton Tanger City Center can't be beaten. Guests can sunbathe beside the rooftop pool, use the excellent gym and health club facilities, and the large, minimalist-styled rooms come with marble bathrooms.
  • If you're looking for a more intimate stay, La Maison de Tanger is a luxury guesthouse with a lush, tranquil garden and plunge pool. The elegant rooms are individually decorated, with plenty of character, and some have private terraces.
  • The well-located Royal Tulip City Center mixes modern style with bags of facilities. Rooms have sea views and big bathrooms, while the outdoor pool, spa, included breakfast, and good restaurant make it a favorite with guests looking for an easy, comfortable stay.

Mid-Range Hotels:

  • The high-rise and modern Hilton Garden Inn Tanger City Center is a solid mid-range choice offering stylish interiors, a gym, and restaurant. It's noted for its exceptionally helpful staff. A large shopping mall is next door.
  • Fredj Hotel & SPA has a rooftop pool, with sweeping views over the bay; a restaurant; and spa, while its good-sized rooms have plenty of minimalist, modern style.

Budget Hotels:

  • One of the most famous historic hotels in Tangier, Hotel Continental is full of old-fashioned ambience. Rooms are basic but have excellent views of the port, and the location can't be beaten.
  • The good-value Dar El Kasbah has high-ceilinged rooms in a lovely late 19th-century building and is known for its friendly staff.
  • The Full Day Private Tour of Tangier offers seven hours of sightseeing in Tangier, with pickup and private transport, a camel ride on Tangier beach, a walking tour of the Kasbah and medina (including visits to the Kasbah Museum and American Legation), and a trip out of town to Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules.
  • If you're short on time and want to visit Chefchaouen as a side-trip from Tangier, the Full Day Trip to Chefchaouen offers pickup from your Tangier hotel and private transport to Chefchaouen, a three-hour guided tour of Chefchaouen medina, and free time afterwards to explore at your own pace. If time permits, the tour also adds in a trip to Cape Spartel on the return journey to Tangier.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

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More Historic Medinas: The walled old towns of Morocco's cities and towns are one of the country's major historic highlights. Don't miss Marrakesh with its famous pink-toned medina full of souks, restored historic buildings, and home to the Djemaa El-Fna, and Fes, where strolling the labyrinthine, winding alleys of its high-walled medina are the major attraction of a visit. For a smaller, easier-to-get-around medina head to Meknes, which is one of Morocco's most easygoing towns.

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More Seaside Cities: For a taste of modern Morocco, head to bustling Casablanca , home to the huge and beautiful Hassan II Mosque dominating the seafront, or to the capital Rabat, where the medina fronts the Atlantic coast. For holiday sun, the city of Agadir is Morocco's hot spot and a favorite Summer destination for European tourists.

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