Alcudia
Alcudia - What is it like there?:
Alcudia is not a loud resort, so if the frantic resorts in the south of the island are not to your taste, then Alcudia on the north coast of Mallorca may be the ideal location for you, especially if you are seeking a relaxing, quiet family holiday. Alcudia does have a small number of late night bars and nightclubs but nowhere near as many as those in the bustling south coast resorts. Overall we recommend Alcudia as a good quality mainstream beach resort, which is especially suitable for families.
Alcudia - Getting there:
Alcudia is 52km north of Mallorca's capital Palma, and the journey into the resort from the airport is possibly one of the easiest on the island. The fast PM-27 motorway will take you as far north as the town of Inca, and from there the main C-713 leads straight into the centre of Alcudia. The journey should take approximately one and a half hours. There are always plenty of taxis available from the ranks outside of the airport's arrivals hall and the journey costs approximately €75. However this 'fixed price' may vary slightly depending upon the number of suitcases, the time of day or night of the journey, and of course the number of passengers carried.
Alcudia - Beaches:
The warm shallow waters of Alcudia Bay make this resort very popular with families with young children, and the beach is without doubt a major attraction with fine, clean sand with a wide variety of water sports and other facilities available to suit all tastes. Whatever part of the beach you choose, you will never be more than a few hundred metres from the nearest beach bar or cafe.
Alcudia - Out and about:
The original old town of Alcudia is 2 miles inland from the coastal development, and it is certainly worth a visit during your stay, with parts of the town dating back to around 1300. What visitors may not realise however, is that it was the Phoenicians and Greeks who first settled here, closely followed in the 2nd century BC by the Romans, who made Alcudia the capital of the island. Visitors to the old town can explore a labyrinth of narrow streets, entering the town through one of the two historic gates. These gates were constructed, along with the impressive city walls, after the conquest of the island by King Jaime I of Spain.
The best way to explore this area of Alcudia is to take a guided walking tour. These are organised by the local tourist office every Wednesday starting at noon and lasting for approximately 2 hours.
The actual port and holiday resort of Alcudia lies at the western end of the magnificent Bay of Alcudia, which runs for over 8km through Playa de Muro and onto the resort of Can Picafort in the east. The resort of Muro is quite remote and some considerable distance from the centre of Alcudia.
The resort itself is spread either side of the busy C-712 northern coast road. For the more adventurous (or stupid depending on your point of view), this road does have a 'dedicated' cycle lane that runs along the full 3 mile length of the resort, however it is also used by taxis or other locals who can't be bothered with the formality of using the main road.
Bicycle hire is plentiful and relatively cheap throughout the resort, and costs around 4 per person for a day's hire.
A good excursion out of the resort by either car or bicycle, is to follow the coast road north of Alcudia along the Cap de Pinar. There are magnificent views looking back towards Alcudia Bay, and also over towards Pollensa, so don't forget to take your camera.
For an easier bike ride, take the road south of Alcudia to reach the wetlands at S'Albufera. The S'Albufera Park is a haven for nature lovers where birds from all over Europe return to nest every year. The whole of the park is open to visitors and is easy to explore along its well sign-posted paths. Throughout the park there are hides where you can watch the birds at your leisure.
The park actually extends over an area of 2,580 hectares with a perimeter of almost 32km, and covers parts of the municipalities of Alcudia, Muro and Aa Pobla. S'Albufera is open every day of the year from 9:00am to dusk, and entry is free.
This area of Mallorca is one of the nearest points to the neighbouring Balearic island of Minorca, and on a clear day it is sometimes possible to see the former Minorcan capital of Ciutadella from the port area. There is a daily ferry service from Alcudia to Ciutadella, taking two and a half hours (€59 per person for a same day return ticket). Advance bookings are recommended in high season, and also if you are planning to take your hire car with you.
Alcudia - Shopping:
Markets are held in Alcudia twice a week on Tuesdays and Sundays, selling fresh local fruit and vegetables, as well as flowers and craft goods, but since the same traders attend both events, the variety of goods for sale is somewhat limited. Most markets on the island are held in the morning from around 8:00 to 13:00, so you'll need to get there early and be prepared to haggle like a professional to secure the best bargains.
Alcudia - Our holiday accommodation and service:
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Additionally, the Balearic Islands are ideal for a spot of winter sun. So if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling and trekking; exploring Mallorca's fascinating villages, towns such as Valldemossa, Palma de Mallorca; fancy a spot of sailing, SCUBA diving, wind surfing, swimming sunbathing or relaxing on great beaches; or you just want to simply escape the tourist masses with a private luxury villa, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with Balearics flights to Mallorca, ferry travel and island car hire.
