El Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera

Rif Mountains


This tiny island was transformed into a peninsula in the 1930s and ’40s when a sandbank joined it with the mainland. Despite several Moroccan attempts at retaking Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, it has remained under Spanish control since 1563 and serves solely as a military base.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Rif Mountains attractions

1. Plage Quemado

21.66 MILES

Located in a pretty, steep-sided bay, the yellow sand beach below the Mercure Quemado Resort is a popular hang-out spot in the summer for taking a dip and…

2. Cala Bonita

21.7 MILES

Because of its location south of town, Cala Bonita pebble beach manages to avoid some of the crowds, though there are still plenty of umbrellas during…

3. Port

21.89 MILES

The port is mainly used for a large commercial fishing operation. It's a great place to watch the catch being unloaded, and to find dinner: vendors line…

4. Plage Isri

22.06 MILES

This 100m-long grey-sand beach is a good option for soaking in some rays outside of the city bustle. A few food shacks along the beach serve fresh catch…

5. Plage Sfiha

23.11 MILES

A short retreat from the city, wide horseshoe-shaped Plage Sfiha looks out on the Spanish-controlled post-colonial relic, El Peñon de Alhucemas. A couple…

6. El Peñón de Alhucemas

23.34 MILES

One of the plazas de soberanía (places of sovereignty), this extraordinary white island fortress can be seen a few hundred metres off Plage Sfiha, along…