Melilla

Melilla sits on the northern coast of Africa but belongs to Spain. Moorish arches and Modernist facades stand side by side, and the smell of North African spices mixes with Mediterranean sea air. The old town clings to a rocky headland with honey-coloured walls that catch the sunlight. Beyond it, the modern quarter has a surprising number of Gaudí-inspired buildings. The Moroccan border is just ten minutes from the port. Four communities, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Hindu, share the city and shape its daily life. The old fortress walls are thick enough to walk along and give views in every direction. Restaurants serve a mix of Spanish tapas and Moroccan tagines, and the central market stocks spices, olives, and fresh fish from both sides of the cultural divide. Spanish is the main language, and the euro is the currency. Duty-free shopping draws day-trippers from the Moroccan side.