OVERVIEW

Settle in for a panoramic drive through Melilla, during which you will see key landmarks and discover the history of this Spanish territory in northern Morocco. From the Rostrogordo viewpoint, you will gaze out over the boundary that separates this Spanish exclave from Morocco. How Spain has retained Melilla for more than 500 years is a fascinating story and quite controversial. At the heart of the city, you will find the Plaza de Espana and the beautiful ornamental fountain at its center. The main arteries off the plaza are lined with an abundance of Modernistic architecture. In fact, Barcelona is the only Spanish city with more. While driving through the neighborhood Barrio Real, notice its grid layout, which was designed centuries ago to ensure a faster, more direct response to invasion. A stop at the 17th-century church La Purísima Concepción will offer a close-up look at religious artifacts, some dating to long before the church was constructed.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the highlights in and around Melilla in air-conditioned comfort.
• Gain a historical perspective of how Spain has retained this territory in northern Morocco.
• Gaze out over the boundary that separates Melilla from Morocco.
• Pass through historical neighborhoods known for their Modernist architecture.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Walk through Melilla at a leisurely pace that will allow time to thoroughly explore the city’s abundant Modernisme architecture. Next to Barcelona, Melilla has Spain’s greatest concentration of this highly popular 20th-century style that includes an eclectic mix of Art Nouveau influences. Many of the buildings were designed by Enrique Nieto, a student of the revered Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, who created so many of Barcelona’s architectural gems. Melilla’s so-called golden triangle contains the best-preserved Modernisme buildings, especially ones from the 1930s. Floral decorations, stylized geometric forms, and friezes with silhouettes of animals and women are but a few of the features that adorn the exteriors. Nieto eventually became Melilla’s city architect and his last major work was the Art Deco-style city hall. Following this immersion into Modernistic architecture, you will stop for tapas and a beverage at the landmark Four Cultures Square.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an enlightening walk through neighborhoods full of Modernisme buildings.
• Learn how architect Enrique Nieto reshaped the face of Melilla in the early 20th century.
• Behold countless Modernisme features on the façades of the best-preserved buildings..
• Discuss the extraordinary architecture you’ve seen over tapas in a popular square.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the most historical areas of Melilla and visit the labyrinth of caves in Old Town that have been used for defensive purposes since Phoenician times. As you walk the cobblestone streets, the guide will describe the city’s turbulent past and point out buildings of the greatest historical value. Despite being on Africa’s north shore, Melilla has been a Spanish territory for more than 500 years. The occupation hasn’t always been peaceful. Over the centuries, soldiers have used the vast series of Conventico Caves beneath the city to store munitions, as hiding places and to protect them from attack, primarily from the Moors. Although the caves were naturally formed, they were expanded by hand to three levels and tunnels were added for greater mobility. The furnishings in the caves will help you imagine what life was like underground when Melilla was under siege.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Stroll the cobblestone streets of Old Town while the guide describes Melilla’s history..
• Walk through the maze of caves beneath the city that were used for defensive purposes.
• See how the three-level caves have been expanded over the years with tunnels.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the walled Old Town of Melilla, an area wedged between the port and a newer quarter filled with Modernist architecture. As you walk along the narrow streets of Old Town, which is known locally as El Pueblo, you will notice its easy-to-negotiate grid layout. It was designed centuries ago to enable the city’s defenders to quickly respond to invaders by racing down straight, rather than winding streets. At the time, four fortresses linked by drawbridges guarded Old Town. Some of the most well-preserved highlights include the 16th-century Chapel of Santiago, a rare example of Gothic architecture on the African continent, and the 17th-century church La Purísima Concepción. The imposing Torre de la Vela Tower that was part of Old Town’s original fortifications now houses the Archaeology and History Museum. As you meander about, you may notice Melilla’s ethnically diverse population. Christians, Muslims, Jews and Hindus all live harmoniously in Melilla.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain insight into the history of Melilla by walking through its heavily fortified Old Town.
• See well-preserved architectural treasures behind the thick defensive walls.
• Recognize the cultural diversity of Melilla and how the different ethnicities live in harmony.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Gain an understanding of Melilla’s turbulent history and how Spain has defended this small territory on the African continent for more than 500 years. You will be reminded of war’s devastating toll on human life at the La Purisma Cemetery, as there is a sea of above-ground burial vaults for the military. Today, many soldiers are stationed at Millan Astray, a barrack named for the founder and first commander of the Spanish Foreign Legion. Of all the forts in Melilla, Rostro Gordo is the largest and most advanced. As you will discover, it perches just north of the city near the border of Morocco. Abd-el-Krim was imprisoned there before becoming the highly successful leader of the Berber forces during the 1920s Rif War against Spanish rule. You will learn details about other resistance movements when browsing the Museum of Military History, which is housed in a former munitions warehouse in Melilla’s 16th-century stone ramparts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover how Spain has defended its interests in Melilla and Morocco over the centuries..
• See the tombs of soldiers from past conflicts and visit soldiers now stationed in Melilla.
• Browse a fort near the border of Morocco and a military museum in the Melilla’s ramparts.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a sampling of tapas at several popular restaurants in Old Town, while listening to the owners and chefs tell their personal stories and share their passion for food. This culinary experience is more than just a tasting; it’s a authentic look into everyday life in Melilla. Although the exact venues and types of tapas will be chosen the day of the excursion, in all likelihood local seafood will be among the ingredients. The majority of the city’s seafood and produce comes over the border, so the tapas will have distinctive Moroccan and Spanish influences. You can expect the dishes to be made with aromatic spices, skewered kabobs and roasted vegetables. Your hosts will be happy to describe the preparation of the tapas and how they started their businesses. Hot tea and pastries will be served at the last venue. Even the walk between restaurants will be a pleasure, as it will be through the atmospheric Old Town.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy tapas and fresh pastries at several venues in Melilla’s charming Old Town.
• Savor the Moroccan and Spanish culinary influences in the dishes
• Gain insight into the lives of the restaurateurs as they share their personal stories.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover the inspiring religious diversity in Melilla, where Christians, Muslims, Jews and Hindus all live harmoniously side by side. This Spanish exclave on the northern coast of Morocco encourages and supports different faiths such as Christianity at the Church of the Sacred Heart, a Romanesque-style building that has been a fixture since the early 1900s. Not far away, you will find the Or Zaruah Synagogue, which was founded around the same time. It is one of six synagogues in the city. Elsewhere on the Route of the Temples, you will stop at Templo Hindú , yet another example of Melilla’s religious freedom. Although Hindus are a minority, they have played an important role in the city’s history. Islam in the major religion as you will see while visiting the Central Mosque. The exterior features a Moorish Revival design with geometric patterns, curved archways and ornamental tiles. Similar architectural elements grace the interior.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain insight into Melilla’s religious diversity by following the Route of the Temples.
• Visit a Catholic church, synagogue, Hindu temple and mosque.
• Discover fascinating facts about the sacred sites and their architectural styles.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Paddle a sea kayak off the coast of Melilla for a unique perspective of the city with a focus on its natural beauty and environmental consciousness. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into a kayak and follow the guide across the typically calm waters. The starting point will be the sheltered beach at Ensenada de los Galápagos, behind which stands an 18th-century fortification. You will paddle past several other gorgeous beaches, including the idyllic stretch of sand at Cala de Trápana, where you will stop briefly. Lined with shops and cafés, the promenade that runs along the Paseo Marítimo breakwater will look particularly attractive from the sea. The guide will describe the most revealing points of interest such as the rugged Boca del León shoreline to enhance your understanding of their histories. If you wish, you can extend the adventure by visiting an eco-friendly desalination plant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See Melilla from a unique perspective while paddling a sea kayak along the coast.
• Paddle past hidden beaches and historical fortifications, which the guide will describe.
• Pause briefly to rest on Cala de Trápana, one of the most naturally beautiful beaches.
• Extend your paddling adventure with the option to explore a desalination plant.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Behold the huge collection of Modernist architecture in the heart of Melilla and enjoy a tasting of unique local delicacies. While walking through the so-called Modernista Triangle around the Plaza de España, you will see Spain’s largest concentration of this popular 20th-century architectural style. Enrique Nieto, a student of the legendary Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, designed many of the buildings. The guide will point and describe their characteristic elements, which include floral motifs, stylized geometric forms and decorative friezes. Nieto’s last major work as the city architect was designing the Art Deco-style city hall. The focus will turn to food as you first savor locally sourced cheese, breadsticks, and wine. Afterwards, you will head to the store next door to watch a master ham carver slice paper-thin servings of premium jamón, a staple of Spanish cuisine. You will soon understand its appeal after sampling the regional marbled ham, which is sweet and savory.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See an extraordinary collection of Modernist architecture in downtown Melilla.
• Learn about the Modernist features on the façades of the best-preserved buildings.
• Discover how architect Enrique Nieto influenced Melilla in the early 20th century.
• Watch jamón being carved and sample this traditional Spanish ham.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.