MUSEUMHOTELHOTELHOTELHOTELCalle Sotomayor. The Plaza De Toros the only operating bull ring in Africa, lies straight ahead.
Gaselec Museum
( 6-9pm Mon-Fri, 11.30am-1.30pm & 6-9pm Sat & Sun) On the other side of the park
is this intriguing oddity, the passion of the president of the local gas and electric company. It
houses a museum of Ancient Egypt completely composed of reproductions, including King Tut’s
mask and sarcophagus. Future plans include faux exhibitions on entirely different subjects.
While many of the artefacts look fake, the unusual concept works in its own way, and could well
be – ahem – reproduced elsewhere.
BEACHES
The one distressing sight in Melilla is the state of its coastline, which is everywhere strewn with
plastic bottles and bags. While efforts are made to clean certain beaches, it is hard to escape
this problem, particularly out of season, making you fear for the future of the Mediterranean.
There is one large beach south of the port, divided into four sections. During research there
was a plastic bag visible in the water on average every 10m. The foul Rio de Oro empties into
this area as well. Needless to say, stick to sunbathing.
An intriguing alternative is the secluded Playa de la Ensanada de los Galápagos Offline map
Google map , which is reached by taking a tunnel under the fort. It is open May to September.Sleeping
There aren’t many hotels in Melilla, so they tend to fill up even in the low season.
Hotel Nacional €€
Offline map Google map ( 956 68 45 40; fax 956 68 45 41; 10 Calle Primo de Rivera; s/d
€35/55; ) This hotel has mostly compact rooms, with minibar, quaint iron furniture and
modern bathrooms. Those facing inside are a bit dark, so get one looking to the street.
Management is friendly, and there’s a lift. Corner room 104 is a strong choice, and room 103 is
enormous.
Hotel Anfora €€
Offline map Google map ( 956 68 33 40; fax 956 68 33 44; 8 Calle Pablo Vallescá; s/d inclbreakfast €46/73; ) This rather industrial-feeling three-star hotel is in an excellent location
and offers standard-fare rooms with TV, fridges and balconies. The highlight is the roof terrace
with its cafe and restaurant, offering vistas of Melilla La Vieja and out to the sea beyond.
Hotel Rusadir €€€
Offline map Google map ( 956 68 12 40; 5 Calle Pablo Vallescá; s/d incl breakfast €91/102;
) This four-star hotel has been completely renovated to excellent effect, including an
impressive lobby and design-conscious rooms with TV, minibars and balconies. The restaurant
puts out an impressive breakfast buffet.