Alcúdia, Mallorca

About Alcúdia

Alcúdia is a town and municipality in northern Mallorca on the wide Bay of Alcúdia, the main tourist centre of the island's north. It has a historic walled old town, the harbour of Port d'Alcúdia and the long resort strip of Platja d'Alcúdia along the sea.

The beach runs for nearly 14 kilometres, all the way to neighbouring Can Picafort. The sand is fine and pale, the water calm and the depth increases very slowly, which makes it a favourite with families with young children.

What to see in Alcúdia

• The old town — medieval walls with gateways.
• Pollentia ruins — a Roman city by the walls.
• The Roman theatre — a small theatre on the edge of town.
• Sant Jaume church — beside the old town walls.
• Alcúdia beach — 14 km of sand with gentle shallows.
• Cap des Pinar and Coll Baix — pines and cliffs.

The old town and Pollentia

The old town is enclosed by medieval walls with battlements and gateways, and you can walk along parts of the top. Inside are narrow stone lanes, 13th-century houses with coats of arms and small squares of cafés and shops, best in the cool of the morning or the evening when the squares light up.

Just outside the walls lie the ruins of Pollentia, a Roman city founded over two thousand years ago, with foundations of houses, streets and the forum, and a little further a small Roman theatre cut into the rock. A small museum in the old town displays finds from the excavations.

The beach and port

Alcúdia beach is the big summer draw. A palm-lined promenade runs along it with cafés and water sports hire: paddleboards, kayaks and catamarans. The bay is usually sheltered, so the sea is calm and the shallows extend far out.

Port d'Alcúdia has a marina with restaurants and a promenade for evening strolls. Ferries leave here for neighbouring Menorca, and boat trips run along the coast towards Cap de Formentor.

Nature around Alcúdia

East of the old town, the pine-covered Cap des Pinar peninsula has trails to viewpoints and quiet coves, and south of the resort lies the S'Albufera nature park, the Balearics' largest wetland, with birdwatching hides along its paths.

Tips for your trip

Alcúdia makes a good base for a few days in the north, close to Pollença, Cap de Formentor and the Tramuntana. On a day trip, see the old town and Pollentia in the morning and head for the beach after lunch.

In summer the beach is busy, especially along the central promenade; it's quieter towards Can Picafort and in the coves by Cap des Pinar. Bring sunscreen, as there's no natural shade on the open sand.

It's especially easy with young children: gentle shallows, playgrounds on the promenade, a water park and plenty of family restaurants. Buggies roll easily along the promenade, though old town streets are partly cobbled.

Places in Palma: compare and choose

Places in Palma rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.

How to do it right

• Old town in the morning.
• Beach after lunch.
• Gentle shallows for kids.
• Sunscreen.

Questions