Alcúdia

Alcúdia combines a beautifully preserved medieval walled old town with a long sandy beach and modern resort facilities. The town dates to 1298 when Jaume II built the fortifications that still encircle the compact historic centre. Unlike the frenetic clubbing resorts of Magaluf, Alcúdia is a relaxing destination popular with young families and pensioners, with plenty of bars but no stand-alone nightclubs. It's an ideal base for exploring Mallorca's Roman past at Pollentia, hiking the forested Alcanada headland, or simply enjoying the beach without crowds.

Alcúdia lies 55 km northeast of Palma via the Ma-13 highway. TIB Bus 302 runs from Palma every 20-30 minutes, taking one hour via Inca and Sa Pobla. Bus 322 connects from Pollença every 25 minutes, while Bus 324 runs from Can Picafort every 15 minutes. Bus 315 from Sa Pobla departs every 50 minutes. Bus 231 from Sóller runs March through October, four times daily, taking two hours via Mirador de ses Barques, Escorca, and Lluc. By ferry, Balearia operates daily crossings from Barcelona (3.5-7 hours depending on service). Menorca Lines sails daily from Alcúdia to Ciutadella on Menorca (75 minutes), making a day-trip possible.

Local buses include routes 322 (from Pollença), 323 (shuttle between Alcúdia town, port, and Alcanada every 50 minutes), 324 (from Can Picafort), and 325 (from Cala Rajada). Note that Bus 302 from Palma cannot be used for local short hops. Over a dozen outlets offer car or bicycle hire. The narrow streets of the pedestrianised old town are best explored on foot, while the beach strip and port area require bus or car transport.

Alcúdia is a summer-focused beach resort, so peak season runs June through September when the beach and water sports are fully operational. Many restaurants and attractions close down out of season (roughly November through March). The shoulder seasons of May and October offer fewer crowds while still having decent weather, though some facilities may have reduced hours. The old town can be explored year-round and is particularly pleasant in spring when wildflowers bloom on the surrounding headland.

Most hotels concentrate in Port d'Alcúdia and Platja d'Alcúdia along the 14-km beach that stretches to Can Picafort. Budget and mid-range options include BQ Delfín Azul (B&B double from €100), Hotel More (from €100), and Prinsotel Mal Pas (from €140) on the quieter north coast. Family resorts like Club Mac offer extensive facilities with multiple pools and shuttles to the beach. Luxury options include Viva Golf (adults-only, from €350) and Sarena de Muro Mallorca (5-star resort). The old town itself has limited accommodation but offers authentic atmosphere within the medieval walls.

Approximately 20 restaurants cluster in the old town centre, with a similar number around the marina in Port d'Alcúdia and about a dozen more along Playa de Muro to the south. Many establishments close during the low season. Lidl serves as the main supermarket, located 500 m from the beach at the roundabout and open daily 09:00-22:00. The weekly Alcúdia Market takes place next to Porta del Moll on Sundays and Tuesdays from 08:30-13:30. Nightlife concentrates at the port with over a dozen bars, while the old town has no stand-alone pubs.

The star attraction is the Alcúdia beach, a 14-km sandy bay stretching to Can Picafort with Playa de Muro midway. Golfers can play Alcanada GC, a parkland course with white tees at 6559 m and par 72. Boat trips from the marina offer dolphin-watching and sunset cruises. Sports enthusiasts will find Zafiro Tropic well-equipped for cycling and water sports. For nature, Parc Natural de s'Albufera is a wetland reserve with bird hides and hiking trails (free entry, daily 09:00-17:00), reachable by bus to Playa de Muro.

Alcúdia is generally a safe resort town with low crime rates. Standard precautions against pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas apply. The beach is monitored and flags indicate swimming conditions. Sun protection is essential in summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 30°C.

As of August 2024, Alcúdia and its approach roads have 5G coverage from all Spanish carriers (Movistar, Vodafone, Orange). WiFi is widely available in hotels, restaurants, and cafes. Spain uses Type F (Schuko) power plugs operating at 230V.

Pollença, just 10 km inland, has a pleasant old centre with a Sunday market and is the successor to Roman Pollentia. Palma de Mallorca, the capital, requires at least two days to explore properly and has the island's major airport. Sóller on the north coast is famous for its century-old wooden train and vintage tram. Menorca is reachable by ferry in 75 minutes, making it possible as a long day-trip though overnight stays reveal more of the island's prehistoric sites and calas (coves).

From Alcúdia, Pollença is a short bus ride away with its Calvário steps and market. Palma de Mallorca's cathedral, Bellver Castle, and waterfront make it the island's cultural hub. The Sóller Valley can be reached by the historic train-tram combination. For island-hopping, Menorca's UNESCO-listed capital Ciutadella is 75 minutes away by ferry, while Barcelona is a 3.5-7 hour ferry crossing for those heading to mainland Spain.