Melilla

Overview

Along with Ceuta, it’s another piece of Spain when following the Moroccan coast toward Algeria. The city still has its old quarters and a unique atmosphere with its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architectural heritage.

Key facts

Type of place: city.

Tourist interest: (worth a stop if you are in the area).

Location: on the Mediterranean coast, right next to Nador.

Distances: Al Hoceima (130 km to the west), Nador (15 km to the south), Saïdia (100 km to the east).

Local time: Heure : Melilla.

Population: 86,384 inhabitants (2018).

Area: 12.3 km²

Altitude: sea level.

Website: https://melillaturismo.com/fr/

What to see and do

The city

Shopping

Like Ceuta, Melilla is a duty-free zone with quite a few shops.

In the surrounding area

Nador (15 km)
Despite its lagoon, Nador's main appeal is as a gateway to the seaside resort of Saidia, a hundred kilometers further east.

Saïdia (100 km)
With the Plan Azur, this small coastal village has become a major seaside resort in Morocco.

Climate and weather

Practical information

Entry requirements

Entry requirements are the same as for the rest of Spain.

Money

As elsewhere in Spain, the euro is the official currency. It’s worth noting that it’s better to wait until you’re in Morocco if you want to buy Moroccan dirhams, rather than exchanging money in Melilla where the rates aren’t always great.

Language

While Spanish is the official language, Arabic, Berber, and French are also widely spoken.

Time difference

Local time: Heure : Melilla.

The time in the Spanish enclaves is not the same as in Morocco. It’s actually the same as in the rest of Spain (or France), so there’s a one- or two-hour time difference depending on the time of year.

Transport

Getting there

From Spain

From Morocco

Getting around

The city/peninsula isn’t very large. You can get around by urban bus, taxi, bike, or on foot.