Melilla

Melilla is a Spanish autonomous city located on the northwest coast of Africa. It lies on the Cape Tres Forcas, close to the Sahara Desert, and shares a border with Morocco. On Ferryhopper you can find all the information you need about ferry routes and ferry schedules from the port of Melilla to arrange the details of your trip!

Find useful information about the ferry port of Melilla and read about holidays in the city:

• Melilla ferry port
• Vacation in Melilla

The Faro de Melilla la Vieja lighthouse in the old town

Melilla ferry port

The port of Melilla is one of the most historic as it has been operating since antiquity. It is a getaway from Spain to Africa, as it is connected by ferry with major ports of Andalusia. 

It is located near the town center and next to the main services. Specifically, there are shops, banks, attractions and restaurants nearby. 

In addition, the port of Melilla is newly renovated and despite its small size, you can find parking facilities and information kiosks in the area

Ferries from Melilla port: schedules and tickets

From the city of Melilla, you can take the ferry to the ports of Málaga, Motril and Almería in southern Spain. The ferry companies that usually operate at the small port of Melilla are Baleària, Trasmediterránea and FRS.

Ferry from Melilla to Málaga

The Melilla - Málaga ferry route is operated by Baleària and Trasmediterránea. The ferry trip lasts approximately 6 hours and the service is available 10 times a week on average. Normally, during the summer months the ferry schedule frequency is higher. Standard tickets for the ferry crossing to Málaga start at €40.

Ferry from Melilla to Motril

The ferry crossing from Melilla to Motril is serviced by FRS and the duration of the trip is around 5h 45min. From the port of Melilla, there are 6 weekly crossings to the Andalusian port. You can get a ferry ticket for €35.

Ferry from Melilla to Almería

Melilla is also connected with the port of Almería. The Melilla - Almería itinerary is normally available by Trasmediterránea and Baleària. It takes 5 to 6 hours to reach the port of Almería from Melilla and tickets start at €37. The itinerary is available 4 days a week with a total of 10 crossings on average.

Where is the ferry port in Melilla?

The port of Melilla is located next to its center and borders on the port of Nador. The ferry terminal serving passengers traveling to Andalusia is located on the northern part of the port by General Macías Avenue, which starts at Plaza de España.

How to get to Melilla port

The port is located in the city center of Melilla, just a 10-minute drive from Melilla Airport. You can access the port on foot from the city center or drive there. 

Palm trees and fountains in Plaza de España in Melilla

Vacation in Melilla

The name Melilla means the “town of honey” according to some historians. We can't be sure this is true, but if you’re visiting the Spanish exclave, you’re in for a sweet treat! 

The city is part of Spain and, due to its location right next to Morocco, it is distinguished for its multicultural and multiethnic character. It is full of historical sites like churches and museums, as well as cafés and restaurants serving delicious tapas! 

Melilla is well connected with the ports of Andalusia and, due to its size, is the perfect destination for a few-day getaway to explore the other side of Spain!

How to get to Melilla

There are several ways of reaching Melilla, either by traveling from Morocco or Spain. First, if you are traveling by car to Melilla from other cities of Morocco, you can follow the national road network. Rabat, Casablanca and Fes are connected to Melilla via the national road N6, while cities on the north coast like Tangier are connected to Melilla via N2.

Important: Bear in mind that the Melilla - Morocco border is currently closed.

On the other hand, you can catch a plane from major Spanish cities to Melilla. There are frequent flights from Málaga and Madrid and occasional routes from Almería, Granada, Valencia and Barcelona.

Note: Be sure to have all the necessary documentation with you to reach Melilla from Morocco, as the town is a Spanish exclave. 

What to do in Melilla

Melilla is a smart option when you want to organize a few-day trip! Its center is small and has many things to do and see. 

First, don’t miss to visit the old fortress of the town, Melilla la Vieja. It is an imposing trademark of the town, where you can take a glimpse of its history and culture.

The coastline of Melilla has sandy beaches with amazing waters that invite visitors to spend some time there. Near the beaches, there are many bars and restaurants, where you can enjoy a meal or a drink, after swimming. Also, there are parks and squares like Plaza de España, that are ideal for a stroll.

Melilla has rich gastronomy with many local products and recipes. Most of the dishes are a combination of cultures that will amaze you.

Beaches in Melilla

The coast of Melilla is around 9 km and it has beautiful and sandy beaches, where you can relax and swim. Most of them are fully equipped with amenities, as they are pretty close to the urban area. However, there are also smaller and wilder ones, where you can enjoy swimming in peace. 

You can choose between the following beaches of Melilla: 

• Alcazaba: It is a long, sandy beach in Melilla, a little outside of the town center. The waters here are clear and calm. For this reason, it is usually crowded with families and children. There are no amenities there, except for some showers.
• San Lorenzo: The San Lorenzo beach is located right next to the port of Melilla. It is ideal for swimming and relaxing, as it is close to many facilities. It has a huge, sandy coast and the waters are very clear.
• Los Cárabos: Right next to San Lorenzo, you will find the beach of Los Cárabos. They share the same coast and sea, and the beach is pretty close to restaurants and bars.
• Hipódromo: Following the Los Cárabos beach, there is Hipódromo. The beach is narrower than its adjacents, but it has showers and toilets nearby. 
• La Hípica: Last but not least, the La Hípica beach is at the end of the coastline that San Lorenzo, Los Cárabos and Hipódromo form. You will find a huge sandy area where you can set up your umbrella. The beach is also near the border of Nador.
• Cortados de Aguadú: This is the northernmost beach of Melilla and it has rocks and amazing deep blue waters.
• Ensenada de los Galápagos: It is a charming, small bay, right below the old town of Melilla. It has sand and its waters are very clear and inviting. Careful though, as during the summer it can be crowded, with no space to set up your equipment. 
• Horcas Coloradas: A little outside of the town center, you will find the Horcas Coloradas beach. It is a wide beach with fine sand and shallow waters. The area has toilets and umbrella rentals.
• Trápana: It is an isolated small beach near Melilla la Vieja. It has rocks and natural shade, and it’s ideal for relaxing moments by the sea.

The Ensenada de los Galápagos bay below Melilla la Vieja

Activities and sightseeing in Melilla

Melilla is a town with a strong multicultural essence, that you can notice from the different people, the architecture and the various cultural sites. Right above the port of Melilla, stands the big fortress of Melilla la Vieja which, nowadays, houses many historical sites like churches and museums. All through the city, especially around the Plaza de España, you can see modernist buildings of great significance.

Ferryhopper suggests that you visit the following places and attractions in Melilla: 

• Melilla la Vieja
• Plaza de España 
• Parque Hernandez 
• Parque Cándico Lobera
• Cuevas del Conventico
• Fuerte de Victoria Grande
• Pinares de Rostrogordo

Nightlife in Melilla

Melilla is a vivid town, full of café/bars and places to eat traditional tapas. The Puerto Noray area by the marina is one of the liveliest parts of the city, perfect to enjoy a night-out during your holidays!

A standard meeting point in Melilla is Plaza de España, which is full of people all day long. You can also grab a drink and go for a walk to the Hernández park or the beach. 

Food in Melilla

While in Melilla, you will try some very original and tasteful dishes of its local cuisine. The combination of the Iberian and Moroccan elements will surely amaze you. Most dishes are mainly based on meat, seafood and spices. 

We recommend that you try: 

• harira (meat and vegetable soup with spices)
• pastela (sweet meat pie)
• meat kebabs
• fish pie with monkfish and seafood
• tortilla de colores (omelet with vegetables)
• couscous
• traditional green tea with mint

The port of Melilla near its center

Useful information about Melilla

Melilla is a popular holiday destination for the Spanish region. The town has all the necessary services and facilities for the visitors, such as supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants and various shops. As for medical services, the town has one general hospital, some medical centers and pharmacies.

Regarding accommodation, Melilla has a limited number of hotels, which are actually budget-friendly. For this reason, we suggest that you book your accommodation to Melilla well in advance, to avoid unavailability. 

Important phone numbers for your stay in Melilla

Here are some useful contacts for your trip to Melilla:

• European emergency number: 112
• Hospital Comarcal de Melilla: +34952670000
• Melilla Port Authority +34 952 673600
• Melilla Airport +34913211000
• Melilla Police: +34952698117
• Melilla taxi services: +34952683362

Transportation in Melilla

The town of Melilla is not very big and you can easily get around it on foot. However, the town has public means of transport, as there are 6 bus routes that connect almost every area of Melilla. In addition, you can also use your own vehicle or get a taxi and freely move around the town.

Where to book ferry tickets online from Melilla

Find all the information you need about ferry schedules from the port of Melilla. Check Ferryhopper’s Map of ferries for available ferry crossings, compare ferry companies, and book tickets with no extra fees!