Alcudia und Puerto de Alcudia
Alcudia is a small town in the northeast of Mallorca. Settled the current urban area already around 2000 BC, the historic Alcudia was one of the power and economic centers of the Balearic island. Today Alcudia is a modern commercial, craft and administrative city, where at the same time the Mallorcan history is still very tangible. In recent decades, Alcudia and its port Puerto de Alcudia, located slightly to the south, have developed into lively vacation centers, which are particularly interesting for individual tourists.
In Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia you can expect the original Mallorca, exciting encounters with the Mallorcans and their hospitality, impressive nature experiences and of course sun, beach and sea. The tourism providers of the region and the local government of Alcudia have implemented gentle, sustainable tourism concepts from the beginning, so that mass tourism and its negative sides have never arrived in this part of Mallorca. International flair can be found especially in Puerto de Alcudia. Here you will find Mallorcan and international restaurants as well as many pubs, clubs and discos.
Location
The name Alcudia derives from the Arabic Al-Qudiya – the hill. It refers to the location of historic Alcudia on a chain of hills between the Bay of Alcudia and the adjacent Bay of Pollenca to the north. The two bays are separated by the Victoria peninsula, at the eastern end of which is Cap del Pinar.
Arrival
From Palma you can reach Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia by cab or rental car in about an hour. From the island’s capital, take the Ma-13 freeway, which runs south of the Serra de Tramuntana directly to Alcudia. The city of Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia are connected by a common road network. The public buses to Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia leave from the central bus station on the Plaza de Espana in Palma. It takes about 20 minutes to get there from the airport by transfer bus. There are bus connections from Palma to Alcudia all day at very regular intervals.
Weather for Alcudia
The best time to visit Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia are spring and autumn with almost ideal air and water temperatures. Even in midsummer, however, temperatures rarely rise above 30 °C. In the Mallorcan winter, the Serra de Tramuntana mountain ranges in the north of the island keep out overly sharp winds, and daytime temperatures rarely drop below 15 °C even between January and March.
Places of interest and excursions
In and around Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia there are many sights and attractive destinations. You can choose to stay close by and enjoy the amenities of the two resorts, or head out from Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia for longer island tours and other activities. However, your immediate vacation destination and its surroundings also have a lot to offer travelers. Some of them you should definitely have seen.
The old town of Alcudia
A walk through the old town of Alcudia should definitely be part of your itinerary. Small stores, tapas bars and restaurants invite you to linger. In the meantime, many designers and artisans have settled there with their galleries and often very original stores. Evidence of the historical Alcudia are various church buildings, such as the Catholic church and the baroque Ermita (hermitage) de la Victoria. The old town of Alcudia is almost completely enclosed by a city wall, which is partly accessible and from which beautiful views of the town and surrounding countryside.
The Roman Pollentia
On the outskirts of Alcudia are the excavation sites of the Roman city of Pollentia, which gave rise to present-day Alcudia. Most of the archaeological finds from Pollentia are now exhibited in the Museu monografic de Pollentia, bearing witness to Mallorca’s ancient culture. Group tours of the museum and excavation sites are offered by the Consorci de la Ciutat Romana de Pollentia.
The marina of Puerto de Alcudia
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If you’re not vacationing in Puerto de Alcudia anyway, the town’s marina is definitely worth a trip. “Watching ships” and modern maritime life are only one side of the coin here. Around the marina of Puerto de Alcudia is an attractive promenade, which invites at almost any time of day for shopping, culinary delights and partying.
National Park Albufera
The Albufera Nature and National Park is located south of Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia, just behind the beaches of the Bay of Alcudia. It is the most important wetland in the Balearic Islands and offers a unique insight into the flora and fauna at the borderline between land and sea. The park entrance is located about six kilometers south of Alcudia on the road to Arta. Information about the park and possible routes on foot or by bike can be obtained at the reception center Sa Roca.
Peninsula Victoria and Cap del Pinar
An exciting destination for one or more day trips is also the Victoria peninsula with Cap del Pinar. One of the most beautiful hiking trails leads from Alcudia to the watchtower Talaia de Alcudia, to the Ermita de la Victoria and from there to the viewpoint rock of Penya Roja. In total, you will walk about 15 kilometers on this route – difficult terrain and small climbs included. Alternatively, there is also the possibility of a car tour – this can be combined well with small hikes and a visit to the natural beaches Coll de Baix or Ses Caletes. Near the Ermita de la Victoria there is a restaurant, which is also called La Victoria, after that you have to bring your own provisions.
The most beautiful beaches
Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia are located directly on the sea in the Bay of Alcudia and have a total of about 30 kilometers of coastline with numerous beaches and coves. In detail, the character of these beaches can be very different – you have the choice between partly heavily frequented beaches with various gastronomy and leisure offers or secluded bathing bays in wild-romantic nature. Also sailors, surfers or divers will find everything they need for a successful vacation in Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia. Here you can find an overview of the most beautiful beaches nearby.
Beach “Playa de Alcudia”
Playa de Alcudia is the main beach of the two resorts. Its fine white sandy beach with crystal clear water stretches south along the bay of Alcudia for about seven kilometers. The beach line is shallow sloping, high waves are part of the beach fun here.
The liveliest part of Playa de Alcudia includes the area between the port area and the suburb of Ciudad Blanca. Bars, restaurants and entertainment can be found here not only on the beach, but also on the waterfront. Those seeking peace and quiet, on the other hand, are better off in the beach section between Ciudad Blanca and Playa de Muro. However, beach bars, sunbeds and umbrellas as well as showers are also available in this section. At the Playa de Alcudia you will find an almost unmanageable offer of leisure and water sports. These include beach volleyball, boat and water ski rentals, paragliding as well as surfing and sailing schools.
Beach “Playa de Muro”
A little further south is Playa de Muro. It is also a white sandy beach that stretches for a total of 6 kilometers. The trademark of Playa de Muro is its shallow water, in which you can also walk this part of the Mediterranean Sea over long distances. Pleasant for surfers: due to the flat coastline, higher waves can also occur on this beach. Gastronomy and services are available in all sections of the beach. Recreational activities at Playa de Muro include beach volleyball, water skiing and boat trips.
"Alcanada" beach
The pebble beach of Alcanada is located opposite the Illa de Alcanada, which belongs to the urban area of Alcudia. If you like, you can swim or walk to the island – the water here is only about 1.5 meters deep. The beach of Alcanada is managed, but there are no professional water sports. Directly behind the beach is a golf course, so passionate golfers can relax by the sea directly after a round of their favorite sport.
Beach "Coll de Baix"
The beach and the bathing bay of Coll de Baix are fantastic. However, they can only be reached by boat or on foot. The way there takes about 45 minutes from Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia and leads through high pine forests. The beach of Coll de Baix is covered with brown sand and is completely untouched. It is surrounded by a breathtaking backdrop of steeply sloping vegetated cliffs. Since Coll de Baix is not managed and there are no other supply options nearby, your beach gear should include a picnic basket.
Beach “Playa S’Illot”
Also in the north of the Victoria Peninsula and in the bay of Pollenca is Playa S’Illot. This beach got its name from the offshore islet, whose rocky outcrops are ideal for jumping into the already somewhat deeper water. Playa S’Illot is about 600 meters long and completely covered by coarse gravel. For relaxed sunbathing, we recommend taking an air mattress or sleeping pad. The swell on this beach is usually low, so even smaller children can play in the water without any problems. The stony seabed will be enthusiastically explored by divers and snorkelers. To protect against injuries from sharp rock edges and spiny sea creatures, bathing shoes should also be included in your beach luggage, if possible.
Playa S’Illot is not managed and is a refuge for visitors who want a quieter, more pristine beach experience. For your physical well-being, there is an excursion restaurant in the immediate vicinity. If you want to stay a little longer, you’ll find accommodations at Albergue La Victoria – the hostel is located right above the beach.
This beach on the Victoria peninsula is easily accessible by car. In addition to barrier-free access, there are also two parking spaces available.
Beach "Ses Caletes"
At the tip of the Victoria Peninsula and already on Pollenca Bay is Ses Caletes. The area around the Cap del Pinar was a restricted area for a long time, so that the surroundings of this beach are almost completely uninhabited. You can get to Ses Caletes from Alcudia on a bumpy coastal road. The last part of the way to the beach has to be done on foot. From Ses Caletes you have a wonderful view of the peninsula and Cap Formentor on the other side of Pollenca Bay.
The beach itself is framed by a wild and romantic hilly landscape and consists partly of sandy and partly of rocky areas. It drops off quite soon into deeper water, and there can be somewhat higher waves here as well. Ses Caletes does not offer any services or water sports. However, nature lovers and snorkelers will enjoy the unspoiled nature of this beach. Divers should take a boat to Ses Caletes.
Weekly markets
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The weekly market in Alcudia is one of the most important on the island. Market day is every Tuesday and Sunday from morning until lunchtime. The market hustle and bustle is concentrated on Carrer Major, Carrer Mol and some other streets in the old town. Alcudia’s market is a good place to get to know the variety of local agricultural products and crafts. Vendors’ offerings range from regional foods – often from organic producers – to household items and high-quality handicrafts. For example, Alcudia has always been known island-wide for its leather goods. You’ll also enjoy the friendly, family atmosphere at this weekly market. Puerto de Alcudia – almost untypical for Mallorca – does not have its own market day, it is too closely linked to the city of Alcudia for that.
Popular activities in Alcudia
The most popular activities in and around Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia are very likely sunbathing, swimming and all kinds of water sports. Active vacationers – runners, cyclists, hikers, golfers – will also find an ideal environment for their sport. Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia are also an excellent starting point for excursions to other island regions. We recommend at least one visit to the neighboring town of Pollenca and its offshore coastal resort of Puerto de Pollenca. Sights in Pollenca are the historic old town of the picturesque village with its natural stone houses and several impressive church buildings, the Calvary with the chapel Eglesia del Calvari and the Roman Bridge.
A must for art lovers are the Museu Dionis Bennassar and the Museu Marti Vicenc. Both artists are from Pollenca – their hometown has created a refuge for their memory and their work with the two museums.
A walk through Puerto de Pollenca is also worthwhile. The tourist life of the former fishing village is concentrated around the marina. Here and on the waterfront promenade you will find numerous restaurants and shopping opportunities. The old town houses along the “pine path”, into which the waterfront promenade flows, bear witness to the brilliant past of the village, which developed into a popular vacation destination as early as the second half of the 19th century.
A day or half-day excursion may take you to the Serra de Tramuntana. About 17 kilometers away from Pollenca and Puerto de Pollenca are the Coves de Campanet at the mountain Sant Miquel. The stalactite caves cover an area of about 3,200 square meters. During the tour you will pass through spacious “halls” as well as narrow tunnels. You will be accompanied by knowledgeable cave guides who will also tell you a lot about the history of the region. In the surrounding area of the Coves de Campanet you will experience the largely untouched nature in the north of Mallorca.
In Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia you will find numerous vacation offers off the beaten tourist track. There you can experience the Balearic island from its individual and unspoiled side. On day trips and hikes you are in varied Mediterranean landscapes, have impressive nature experiences and get to know the history and present of the island. Of course, shopping, going out, relaxation and culinary delights are not neglected. The two resorts offer an ideal environment for an all-round successful vacation in Mallorca.