people walking on brown concrete building near body of water during daytime

Melilla

Explore Melilla la Vieja, Mediterranean views and Modernist buildings in Melilla, a Spanish autonomous city in North Africa on the border with Morocco.

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Melilla is a Spanish autonomous city on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, bordered by Morocco. Its historic center, Melilla la Vieja, sits within old defensive walls above the sea. The old town and the streets around it trace the city’s Spanish history. Melilla also has a large concentration of Modernist and Art Deco architecture. Architect Enrique Nieto worked in the city in the early 20th century and shaped many of its buildings.

Plan a day or two to walk between the old town, the waterfront and the Modernist center. Much of the visit is on foot, but the land crossing from Morocco requires separate planning. Spring and fall are seasons to consider for sightseeing. Melilla suits travelers interested in Spanish history and architecture in North Africa. It is less suited to a trip focused on a wide choice of day trips or major natural attractions.

Melilla in five

Treat Beni Enzar as a Schengen borderMelilla is Spanish, and the UK government says Spain follows Schengen rules. Spain's interior ministry fitted the Beni Enzar post for the EU Entry/Exit System, so allow extra time on both sides.EES explained
Keep your Moroccan entry stamp if you cross onThe UK government notes that Moroccan border officials should stamp your passport on entry and that some travelers have had trouble leaving without one. Check it when you cross.
Walk Melilla la Vieja and the Modernist streetsThe city's heritage foundation describes five centuries of history, fortifications, museums, and a large concentration of Modernist and Art Deco architecture by Enrique Nieto and his contemporaries.
Carry euros in Melilla and dirhams beyond itMelilla uses the euro. The UK government says the Moroccan dirham is a closed currency that is hard to exchange outside Morocco, so change only what you expect to spend.
Check crossing arrangements before you travelEntry rules are set by Spain and Morocco, and crossing hours or conditions can change. Confirm the current arrangements with the authorities rather than relying on a fixed plan.Schengen 90/180 rule

Things to do in Melilla

See all attractions in Melilla

Sight · MelillaCasino Militar

Sight · MelillaPlaza de Toros de Melilla o "La Mezquita del Toreo"

Historic site · MelillaMelilla la Vieja

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to MelillaPut the places you like in Melilla on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Melilla (MLN), with flights to mainland Spain
Getting there: Flight or ferry from mainland Spain, or the Beni Enzar land border
Getting around: On foot in the old city; taxis and local buses elsewhere
Best base: The Modernist center, a walk from Melilla la Vieja
Time needed: One day; two with a Moroccan day trip

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryClear7 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Mild
FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Mild
MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Mild
AprilClear7 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Mild, good
MayClear5 rainy daysHigh23°Low17°Warm, good
JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Warm, good
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low23°Beach season
AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low23°Beach season
SeptemberClear4 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Warm, good
OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh24°Low18°Warm, good
NovemberClear6 rainy daysHigh20°Low15°Mild
DecemberClear8 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Mild

Average daily high and low in Melilla, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Melilla

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 20°
Humidity: 74%
Wind: 6 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Melilla

11:37 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today23°17°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue22°16°38%Tuesday: Rain. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 38%.
Wed20°16°60%Wednesday: Rain. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 60%.
Thu22°16°10%Thursday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 10%.
Fri22°16°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sat22°17°0%Saturday: Fog. High 22°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Sun24°19°12%Sunday: Rain. High 24°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 12%.

Updated 10:55 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.842 MAD

Amount

Converted to

MAD · Moroccan Dirham

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Marchica Lagoonacross the border, near NadorA lagoon the tourist board lists among the top sights of eastern Morocco.
Al Hoceimaa long road trip across the borderCoves and a national park on the Moroccan coast; check live driving times.Read the guide
Oujdaa long road or rail journey eastA medina city in eastern Morocco; plan it as a separate leg.Read the guide

Before you go to Melilla

Melilla walking toursFortress and Modernist routesCompare tours

Hotels in MelillaCentral bases near the old cityCheck availability

eSIM for MelillaCheck roaming before the borderRead the guide

Insurance for MelillaCover for a two-country tripRead the guide

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Rules for Melilla, checked

Spain follows Schengen entry rules, per the UK government; check passport validity and the 90 in 180 day limit.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Spain's interior ministry said the Beni Enzar crossing was adapted for the EU Entry/Exit System smart border.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
UK FCDO: Moroccan border officials should stamp your passport on entry; some travelers had trouble leaving without an entry stamp.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Melilla

Mediterranean Coast guide

Tetouan, Al Hoceima and Saidia on the Moroccan shore

Read the guide Oujda travel guide

Eastern Morocco's city, along the border region

Read the guide EES explained

The Schengen border system that applies here

Read the guide Schengen 90/180 rule

How your days in Spain count

Read the guide All of Morocco

Cities, desert, coast and entry basics

Read the guide Getting around

Rail, coach and rental options

Read the guide

Melilla FAQ

Do you need a visa for Melilla?

Melilla is Spanish territory, so Schengen rules apply and your nationality decides whether you need a visa. Check your passport on the official Spanish and EU sources, and see our Schengen guides for the 90 in 180 rule.

Is Melilla in Spain or Morocco?

Melilla is a Spanish city on the north coast of Africa, with a land border with Morocco at Beni Enzar. You enter the Schengen area when you cross from Morocco into the city.

What is there to see in Melilla?

The old walled city, Melilla la Vieja, with its fortifications, and a large collection of Modernist and Art Deco buildings by Enrique Nieto. The heritage foundation also lists museums and cultural routes.

What currency does Melilla use?

The euro. Morocco's dirham is a closed currency, which the UK government says is hard to exchange outside Morocco, so keep euros for Melilla and change only what you need for Morocco.

Can you cross from Melilla into Morocco?

Yes, at the Beni Enzar crossing, subject to current border arrangements and your passport. Check the latest rules with the authorities and keep your Moroccan entry stamp.