Melilla, a Spanish autonomous city located on the north coast of Africa, has several ingredients that make it attractive for cruise tourism: a strategic and unique location, a port in the city center, and a compact urban center that boasts an impressive modernist neighborhood, beaches, gastronomic treasures and much more.
Currently, the Port of Melilla and ITM Group are working on a project for the construction of a new cruise terminal and the renovation of 10 commercial premises, hoping to receive cruise ships at the loading dock, and, exceptionally, at the Northeast-2 and Northeast-3 docks in the event that ships of larger lengths than those that the Mineral Loading Dock can accommodate dock.
This means that cruise ships dock in the very center of the city, just a few hundred meters from Melilla La Vieja, a 16th-17th century fortress overlooking the sea and the port.
Old Melilla
Also known as El Pueblo, it is the historical and cultural heart of the autonomous city. Situated on a rocky promontory overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, this walled citadel invites visitors on a journey through time with its valuable architectural heritage and unique atmosphere.
Its Renaissance walls, built between the 15th and 18th centuries, are one of the best-preserved defensive complexes in the Mediterranean. Inside, visitors can explore narrow cobbled streets, charming squares, and viewpoints with spectacular views of the port and the African coast.
Among the highlights are the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the oldest religious building in the city; the Governor's House, which now houses the Museum of Archaeology and History; and the Military Museum, which showcases Melilla's strategic importance throughout the centuries. Also worthy of special mention is the Conventico Cave Complex, a labyrinth of natural grottoes formerly used as shelters and storage areas.
The beach in the historic Ensenada de los Galápagos, surrounded by the high walls of the fortress, is a place of singular beauty and photogenicity, but the Cala de Trápana, accessible only from the Cuevas del Conventico, will leave us even more amazed.
Modernism in Melilla
Melilla boasts one of the most important collections of Modernist architecture in Spain, second only to Barcelona. Strolling through its streets is like discovering a veritable open-air museum where architecture becomes art. The influence of Modernism, especially that of the architect Enrique Nieto—a disciple of Gaudí—gives the city a unique character that captivates visitors.
Colorful facades, wrought-iron balconies, floral motifs, and undulating forms characterize emblematic buildings such as the Casa de los Cristales (House of Crystals), the Casa Tortosa, the Edificio La Reconquista (Reconquest Building and the Palacio de la Asamblea (Assembly Palace), a true icon of modernist Melilla. These buildings reflect the economic prosperity and cultural openness that the city experienced at the beginning of the 20th century.
A tour of the Modernist Expansion District is a must for anyone seeking architectural beauty and historical charm. With expert guides, themed routes, and a carefully curated urban atmosphere, Melilla's Modernist architecture reveals itself as one of its greatest tourist attractions, capable of surprising even the most seasoned travelers.
Beaches, shopping and gastronomy in Melilla
San Lorenzo beach, next to the port of Melilla, has a large area for sunbathing and relaxing by the sea, but if we are looking to do some shopping we should walk towards Plaza de España and then explore Juan Carlos I and Ejército Español streets, where the most select shops are located and where we can enjoy the multicultural urban atmosphere that distinguishes Melilla.
As for gastronomy, Melilla offers flavors that fuse Mediterranean cuisine with North African and Andalusian influences: dishes such as couscous, harira, moruno kebabs, or fried fish.
Luxury cruises in Melilla
In 2023 Melilla received 9 cruise ship calls with 4,232 passengers and in 2024 there were 12 calls and about 9,000 passengers.
Luxury cruise ships are the ones most committed to Melilla's multiculturalism and uniqueness: from the Seabourn Sojourn to the Seven Seas Splendor, and including the Oceania Marina, all records are expected to be broken in 2025, with the goal of exceeding 80,000 annual visitors in the medium term.
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