Located on La Victoria Peninsula, Alcudia is a popular old town in the north of Mallorca. This town offers rich historic sites, a beautiful nature reserve, golf courses and nearby beaches – something for everyone to enjoy while on their holiday.
Read on to learn why you shouldn’t miss this cultural gem of an ancient city on the otherwise quite touristy and contemporary island of Mallorca.
What is Alcudia Like?
Alcudia is a vibrant town in the north of Mallorca that bears an impressive historic old town and a beautiful beach at the nearby holiday resort of Port d’Alcudia. Surrounded by one of the most impressive city walls, this roman city is especially popular for family holidays.
It is the perfect place to witness Mallorcan history and lifestyle and spend a fun holiday that offers something for all the family. It is the perfect contrast to the beach resort with which it shouldn’t be confused, based on the name similarities.
Nestled in the beautiful countryside, you get to escape the coast’s touristy vibe and enjoy the island’s authentic charm. There are weekly markets, boutique hotels and first-class restaurants that offer traditional Mallorcan cuisine.
History & Culture of Alcudia
The area used to be an old Roman city that dates back to the ancient times of 2000-1300 BC. To escape the prowling pirates, the residents of ancient Mallorca built their settlements inland instead of on the coast.
The Romans then put an end to piracy and made Alcudia the first roman settlement on the island. After the downfall of the Roman empire, the city was destroyed by vandals. The old town only returned to its initial glory after the Moors took over and built Al Qudya (Arabic for “the town on the hill”).
You can still enjoy the city’s Arab past when wandering through streets such as Carrer d’en Serra.
After the Spanish conquered the island, they erected the city walls you still get to admire today.
The old town offers narrow cobblestone streets with medieval buildings that have been carefully restored for tourists and the world to admire. The first hotels were built in the 1930s, and the island began flourishing as a tourist attraction after Franco’s death in the 1970s.
Beaches in Alcudia
For those not too interested in history books and wandering through the old town, there are several beaches within less than an hour of Alcudia.
Alcudia is very close to the coast. Meaning you can take the coast road just a couple of miles to the Playa de Muro, Port d’Alcudia or the smaller resort of Can Picafort.
All beaches nearby are made of fine sand and offer the typical light blue to turquoise ocean waters that are enjoyed by couples, friend groups and families alike. The waters are shallow enough to let your children go for a dip without being too worried.
Should you still not feel too comfortable letting your kids swim in the ocean but have the youngsters asking for a place to refresh themselves and play in the water, don’t sweat – there is a water park nearby!
The Hidropark Alcudia offers fun activities, from crazy slides to waddling pools, as well as a swimming pool with artificial waves. Here you’ll be sure to have entertainment for your little ones, which is safe but still thrilling enough.
For those seeking adventure and activities by the sea, you can enjoy all kinds of water sports along the coast, for instance, sailing, windsurfing, parasailing and renting out pedaloes.
Things to Do in Alcudia
In the town centre, you can visit the historical sites, enjoy the architecture and learn about the area’s rich history. There are plenty of cafés to rest in as well.
If you are looking for ways to move your body, the town is also known for its many hiking and biking options in and around the plains and coastal routes of Alcudia.
However, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy while you visit Alcudia:
- Shopping – The town of Alcudia offers exciting market days, several clothing boutiques and delicatessen, souvenirs, and jewellery shops.
- Golf – The Alcanda Gold Course is just down the road from the city of Alcudia. Here you will have access to an 18-hole golf course.
- Nature Reserves – Alcudia lies very close to S’Albufera Natural Park, known for its 1708 hectares of unspoilt natural beauty.
- Sight Seeing – Whether you want to visit the roman remains or the smallest theatre in Spain – there are plenty of historical sites to see in Alcudia. For this, it’s best to visit the tourist information office and book guided tours. The Museo Sa Bassa Blanca offers a stunning sculpture park and antique paintings dating back to the 16th century.
Hotels in Alcudia
There are many boutique hotels to choose from, all situated in the old town of Alcudia. For instance, the charming Cas Ferrer Nou has been a popular choice for tourists for years. Or Hotel Can Tem, located in a 17th-century mansion.
If you wish to live more in the countryside, you can find lots of Finca-style hotels with lovely gardens surrounded by fragrant pine trees. The Finca Sa Llegua is a popular self-catering option nearby.
You will have a wider choice of accommodation if you head to Port d’Alcudia. Here you will find a mix of luxury resorts, bed and breakfasts and self-catering options.
Restaurants in Alcudia
As already mentioned, the town Alcudia focuses on traditional Mallorcan food, which is heavily based on rice and fish dishes as well as stews and stuffed veggies. Ca’n Costa is a popular traditional option that claims to be the oldest restaurant in Alcudia.
If you are longing for more contemporary Spanish tapas, you will enjoy Sa Portassa’s, but there are various other establishments that serve a mix of tapas and Mediterranean food.
For special occasions, you can find the Michelin-starred restaurant Maca de Castro in Port d’Alcudia.
Nightlife in Alcudia
Since Alcudia is more popular for family holidays, it does not offer the same vibrant (and sometimes a bit wild) nightlife as other areas, such as Magaluf or Cala Ratjada. However, during the popular summer months, you will enjoy several DJs playing in the few clubs you can find in Alcudia.
Some bars and pubs offer a choice of nightlife entertainment as well as live music, but this is more of a destination for those seeking the charm of a quieter and earlier night.
Should you wish to go out and party all night long, the Port of Alcudia offers a wider variety of nightlife and many clubs and bars that are more highly frequented by musicians and DJs, offering all kinds of music genres.
Events in Alcudia
While we mentioned that the nightlife is not as illustrious as in other parts of Mallorca, Alcudia still offers plenty of entertainment!
As mentioned, the weekly market on Tuesdays and Sundays is a popular venue. It offers all kinds of local produce and souvenirs, such as leather goods, linens and jewellery.
Some of the best-known festivals in Alcudia are the Spring Agricultural Fair in April and the Harvest Celebration in October. Expect good food, wine, music, agriculture and children’s entertainment.
On top of that, the annual nautical fair in April featuring the infamous cuttlefish is a popular festival for locals and tourists alike. Here you get to enjoy boat exhibitions, craft markets, specials in most restaurants and lots of children and grown-up entertainment on almost every street of Alcudia.
Near the coastline, you will find the cycling event Mallorca 312, as well as the infamous IronMan!
Shopping in Alcudia
As already briefly mentioned, the town centre of Alcudia offers mainly pedestrianised areas where one can find small boutiques and other goods shops of small to medium size.
Don’t expect high-end fashion shops here, though. You will likely find handmade gifts, souvenirs, jewellery and soaps, and plenty of delicious food to take home with you instead. Some of the tourists’ favourites are the Mallorcan olive oil, wines or beers.
The local markets on Tuesdays and Sundays are open from 10 AM to 1:30 PM and offer a similar variety of items to buy, plus local veggies, cheese, meat and fruits, as well as leather goods and clothing.
There is another market in Puerto Alcudia which can be visited by bus from town.
How to get to Alcudia
You can get to Alcudia through several entry ports and several modes of transport.
If you arrive at the airport in Palma de Mallorca, the city of Alcudia is about a 45-minute drive away, either by car or by taxi. If you decide to take public transport, pack some extra time and patience, as you first have to drive into Palma de Mallorca itself before getting on a bus to Alcudia. However, this option is significantly cheaper. Here’s how:
- Take the A1 bus from the airport to the Plaza España in Palma.
- Go to the intermodal station to take Bus 351 hearing towards Playa de Muro.
- Exit either at Alcudia or Port Alcudia.
Should you have entered the port area via ship from one of the other Balearic Islands, you can take a bus, taxi or rental car and just a short drive along the coast to Alcudia.
Surrounding areas of Alcudia
The north of Mallorca is especially popular for those longing to see the great outdoors, explore mountain ranges or hidden coves, go horseback riding or enjoy cycling trips. There are several national parks full of walking trails that offer views of the local flora and fauna as well as breathtaking lagoons.
There are two significant ports nearby: Alcudia and Port de Pollensa, should you wish to go on a boat trip or book some water sports. If you are headed towards Port de Pollensa, visit Cala San Vincente, a small resort that offers a stunning bay and several hidden coves.
