Discover Melilla: Culture, Museums and the Mediterranean

The Puerta y Capilla de Santiago is considered the only religious building in the Gothic style on the African continent.

Culture and History

Melilla la Vieja is also known as “El Pueblo” and “La Ciudadela”. The fortified complex was built on the rock of ancient Rusadir; construction began in the 15th century. The complex consists of four areas separated by a moat. Within the walled enclosure dating from the 16th century are the History and Archaeology Museums and the Ethnographic Museum of Melilla.

The Historical and Archaeological Museum presents the history of the city from prehistoric times to the present day. Archaeological finds, historical objects, models and plans illustrate a period spanning more than 10,000 years. The Ethnographic Museum focuses on the Sephardic Jewish community, its rituals and Amazigh culture. The topics presented include material culture, festivals, settlement patterns and traditional crafts.

The museums are spread across various sections of the former Peñuelas warehouses. These warehouses were built in 1781 under the rule of Charles III and Governor Antonio Manso, and extensively converted for museum use in 2007. Beyond the museums, hundreds of buildings line the streets of the autonomous city of Melilla, designed to catch the attention of passers-by. The festival calendar includes Holy Week, the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr, the Jewish festival of Passover, Pésaj, and the Hindu festival of Diwali.

Sea and Nature

Melilla has two kilometres of very fine sandy beaches on the Mediterranean. Water skiing is possible in the bays and on the beaches. The European Union has awarded the beaches the Blue Flag, confirming their quality.

Diving in Melilla and the surrounding area is facilitated by clear waters with pleasant temperatures all year round, as well as rocky and species-rich seabeds. Parque Hernández is a historic garden with an exotic character. Parque Forestal offers walks for families, an artificial lake and other leisure areas for children.

Getting Around and Arriving

The modernist centre and the historic old town of Melilla la Vieja can be explored on foot. City buses, taxis and rental cars are available for longer distances and the outlying districts. This makes historical sites, museums, streets with distinctive architecture and the coast among the various areas that can be reached within the city.

By air, Melilla can be reached, among other options, by direct flights from Madrid and Málaga, as well as from Almería, Granada, Seville and Barcelona. In summer, the flight schedule is expanded to include additional cities on the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands. Ferries to Melilla depart from Málaga, Almería and Motril.

To the main travel overview: Ciudad De Melilla.