Melilla

African Legion Race

Carrera Africana de la Legión

It is a challenging annual sports event held in Melilla, featuring several categories: 50 km foot race, 25 km march, 75 km mountain biking (BTT), and 75 km E-bike races, plus a Mini African Race for children. Organised by the Spanish Legion, it attracts athletes from around the world and is known for its physical demands and the festive atmosphere surrounding it. The event honours the tradition and effort of participants, becoming one of Melilla's most important competitions.

Carnival of Melilla

Carnaval de Melilla

It a colourful and lively celebration featuring an opening speech, humorous street performances (chirigotas), and a popular costume competition with categories for adults and children. The city hosts a grand parade with floats and costumes, while children enjoy face painting workshops and craft activities. A photo booth captures the festive spirit, turning the city into a vibrant stage for fun and tradition.

Christmas in Melilla

Navidad en Melilla

A festive season filled with activities for all ages. Highlights include the Christmas light switch-on, workshops for children, a traditional Christmas market featuring local and artisanal products, and a live nativity scene. The city celebrates the Three Kings Parade with magical floats and gifts, while the Christmas Carol Marathon fills the streets with festive music. The San Silvestre race offers a fun and sporty way to ring in the New Year.

Club Melilla Baloncesto

Club Melilla Baloncesto is the main basketball team in the city. Founded in 1984, the team competes in LEB Oro, the second tier of Spanish basketball, just below the ACB League. Melilla Baloncesto has been a competitive team within this league, having played several promotion phases to the ACB over the years. The team plays its home games at the Pabellón Municipal de Deportes Javier Imbroda, which has a capacity of around 5,000 spectators. This pavilion is the heart of the Melilla fanbase, who passionately support the local team at every game. Although the club has not yet achieved promotion to the ACB, it has been a constant contender in the LEB Oro, regularly participating in the playoffs and demonstrating a high level of play. Additionally, Melilla Baloncesto has been successful in developing young players and providing a platform for talents who have later excelled in other competitions. Similar to football, matchups against other LEB Oro teams, such as Club Ourense Baloncesto or Cáceres Ciudad del Baloncesto, often generate significant excitement due to the rivalry and the competitive nature of both clubs in the league.

Holy Week in Melilla

Semana Santa de Melilla

It is one of the city's most significant religious and cultural events, known for its processions that depict the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. Religious brotherhoods organise parades with sacred images, accompanied by music from bands and drums, creating a solemn and emotional atmosphere. In addition to the processions, religious services like Holy Thursday Mass and the Stations of the Cross are held, attracting thousands of visitors and reflecting the multicultural and diverse character of the city.

Jazz Days

Jornadas de Jazz

The UNED (National University of Distance Education) hosts annual Jazz Days showcasing national and international jazz talent. These events have gained national recognition over the years.

Melilla Fair

Feria de Melilla

The Melilla Fair is an annual event held in honour of the city's patron, the Virgen de la Victoria. The fair combines tradition, religion, and fun, featuring music, food, drink, amusement rides, and games for all ages. Highlights include the procession of the Virgen, parades of floats and costumes, and sporting competitions. Local cuisine takes centre stage, with stalls offering traditional tapas and products. The fair's lively nights are filled with live music and nightlife events, while a bullfight takes place at the Melilla bullring, attracting both locals and tourists.

Melilla Golf Course

The Melilla Golf Course is a 9-hole course that offers a challenging game. Notable holes include a downhill par 5, a par 3 with headwinds, and a par 4 with obstacles such as bunkers and a lake. The course requires strategy, with precise shots needed to avoid hazards like bunkers and out-of-bounds areas. Each hole presents its own difficulty, making the game exciting and varied for golfers.

Melilla Municipal Pool

The Melilla Municipal Pool is a sports complex with an indoor pool. It is ideal for swimming year-round and enjoying aquatic activities. Swimming lessons and other physical activities are also offered, making it a popular place for both locals and tourists.

Melilla Nautical Week

Semana Náutica de Melilla

It is an annual event celebrating water sports and the maritime culture of the city. Activities include "Sailing for All" to teach beginners how to sail, guided tours of the port, and a maritime tour on the "Golondrina" boat, offering panoramic views of the coast. The Marina is filled with live performances and festivals, while the Real Club Marítimo hosts a tapas and pintxos tasting event. The week ends with trophy presentations for the winners of various competitions, blending sports, culture, and festive celebrations.

Melilla Tourist Train

The Melilla Tourist Train is a comfortable and fun way to explore the city. It offers a guided tour of landmarks such as Melilla la Vieja and Plaza de España. During the ride, a guide provides information about the history of the visited sites. It’s an ideal option for those wanting to discover the city in a relaxed manner, especially during the high season.

Tue to Fri: 11:30, 19:00; Saturdays: 11:30, 12:30, 19:00; Sundays and holidays: 11:30, 12:30·€3

Melilleando Tour

Melilleando Tour offers three guided tours: 1. Fortress of Melilla Tour: A tour of Melilla la Vieja, exploring the city's military history. 2. Modernism and Art Nouveau Tour: Discover modernist and Art Nouveau architecture in Melilla’s representative buildings. 3. Museums and Amazigh Jewelry Exhibition (19th-20th Century): Visits to museums and an exhibition on Amazigh jewelry from the 19th and 20th centuries. These tours provide insight into the history, architecture, and culture of Melilla. On Facebook. On Instagram.

€10 to €50

Plaza de Toros de Melilla

Plaza de Toros de Melilla, known as the "Mosque of Bullfighting," is an important landmark of the city, inaugurated in 1942. It is famous for its unique architecture, which blends Muslim and bullfighting styles. During the Feria de Melilla, held in September, the plaza hosts bullfights featuring prominent bullfighters and top-tier bulls, making it one of the most important events of the year. In addition to bullfights, the plaza houses a bullfighting museum and organizes various events related to bullfighting culture. The plaza stands as a cultural symbol of Melilla, where bullfighting traditions are kept alive, despite the controversy surrounding this spectacle.

Renaissance Market of Carlos V

Mercado Renacentista de Carlos V

It is a unique annual event that transports visitors to the Middle Ages. The market is set in the historic centre of the city, featuring stalls selling crafts, medieval food products, and live performances such as theatre, music, and medieval dance. Interactive workshops on traditional crafts, medieval games, and castle-building activities for children are also organised. The atmosphere is enhanced by costumed characters and thematic decorations, making the market a cultural celebration that attracts locals and tourists.

Singer-Songwriter Competition

Certamen de Cantautorest.

Held annually in December, this competition has gained national prominence. The last edition featured Carlos Chaouen as a guest artis

Tu Guía en Melilla

Tu Guía en Melilla offers two highlighted guided tours: 1. Melilla la Vieja: The Origin: A tour of the old town, exploring the Citadel, learning about the first settlements, and the historical development of Melilla. 2. Secrets of Modernism: A tour focused on early 20th-century modernist architecture, highlighting representative buildings such as the Chamber of Commerce Building and Plaza de España, showing the influence of European modernism in the city. Both tours allow you to discover Melilla's history and architectural heritage. On Facebook. On Instagram.

€18

UD Melilla

Unión Deportiva Melilla is the most important football team in the city. Founded in 1943, the club has had a prominent history in various divisions of Spanish football. UD Melilla has spent several seasons in the Segunda División (the second tier of Spanish football) and competes in the Primera Federación, the third tier of the Spanish football pyramid. The team plays its home matches at the Estadio Álvarez Claro, a stadium with a capacity of approximately 8,000 spectators. UD Melilla has been a traditional club in the city, with a significant following from local fans, and has had the opportunity to face well-known teams in the Copa del Rey over the years. Rivalries One of UD Melilla's main rivals is CD El Ejido, as both teams compete in similar categories and have had highly anticipated matchups. Despite the geographical distance between the two cities, these games are closely followed by Melilla's fans.

Melilla Film Week

Semana de Cine de Melilla

It is an annual event that celebrates cinema with a varied programme including round tables, book presentations related to film, soundtrack concerts, documentary screenings, and meetings with actors and actresses. The round tables offer professionals a chance to share their experiences and discuss their careers. A special round table is dedicated to the award winners, recognising the talents of filmmakers and actors. The event concludes with a gala featuring the awards ceremony, making it a cultural gathering that fosters the exchange of ideas and a shared passion for cinema.