Making the most of Melilla
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Port is close to the town center (1.5km). Border of Morocco 10 minutes by road.
Printable map to take along.
Surrounded on all sides by Morocco, Mellila is an intriguing blend of Moorish and Iberian cultures. Remnants of Spain are everywhere in the city, but nowhere are they more prominently displayed than in the Plaza de Espaa This park-like public space forms a perfect circle in the center of town. Look up as you walk and you'll see bits and pieces of Modernist architecture adjacent to fresco-style murals above Islamic tiled archways the spirit of Spain with a North African accent!
The modern quarter of the city spreads south and west on the mainland, while the old walled city is situated between the port and the new quarter. The port exports iron ore that is transported by rail from mines in the Rif of the adjacent (Moroccan) hinterland. A double fence lined with razor wire surrounds the exclave to keep immigrants, mainly African refugees, from entering.
Getting around
Moorish Castle: Visit this impressive fortress with views over the city and sea. The castle reflects the city’s historical importance.
Melilla La Vieja: This is the old walled part of Melilla, rich in history and offering charming streets to explore
Food and shopping
Triángulo de Oro is the best area for enjoying shopping in the city due to its tremendous variety of shops. There are countless Muslim, Jewish and Hindu shops specializing in leather goods, tapestries, local ceramics and accessories. You will also find jewellers', watch shops, gift shops, and textile specialists, with all the famous brands in fashion, boutiques, accessories and shoes. Apart from the pleasure of shopping, you will enjoy the setting provided by the modernist architecture, turning your shopping trip into a cultural visit at the same time.
Money
The euro
The euro is divided into 100 cents. • There are eight different coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, and 1 and 2 Euro. • There are seven different bank notes, for the following amounts: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro.
Staying connected
Spanish is the official language in the entire national territory. However, other languages coexist with Spanish in certain regions of Spain. These are: Catalan in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, Euskera/Basque in the Basque Country, Valencian in the Valencia Region and a particular variety of Catalan spoken on the Balearic Islands.
Emergency number: Dial 112 free of charge (valid throughout Spain). Service is given in Spanish, and also in English, French and German in some tourist areas.