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Alcudia, Mallorca
Alcúdia is a municipality and township of the Spanish autonomous community of the Balearic Islands, and a main tourist centre on the island of Majorca. Apart from the nearby sandy beaches the main tourist attraction is the Hidropark, as well as being home to Hotetur Bellevue complex, the largest holiday resort in Europe. Every Sunday and Tuesday there is a market in the old town of Alcudia. The old town has an ancient Medieval XIV Century fort wall. The walls are not Roman, but there are remains of a Roman town just outside the town walls, in front of the Church of St. Jaume, called Pollentia. There is also a small Roman theatre. The walled town is beautiful, with much of it being pedestrianized and with plenty of squares with places to eat and drink. North of the wall is a bull ring, although most fights are mock fights. Further north and west are many coves ideal for sunbathing or snorkeling. The beach at Alcúdia is 6 miles (9.7 km) long and stretches as far as C'an Picafort. Alcúdia joins on to Playa de Muro which is home to S'Albufera; a protected nature reserve that is very popular with bird-spotters.
All along the white sandy beach you can rent pedaloes, parasails, banana boats, tubes and the like. The sea is very shallow for a long time making it ideal for small kids, and there is little, if any, tide. There are also bars/restaurants at regular intervals situated right on the beach. As you move South the resort gets quieter but the sea can be less calm. From Port d'Alcúdia you can take boat trips around the coast of the north part of Majorca, as well as daily ferries to Minorca and Barcelona. The port has classier establishments lining the harbour. There are also nice shops along the harbour where you can buy porcelain, jewellery and the like. The harbour is pedestrianized and beautiful to walk along in the early evening.
The best way to get around Alcudia is by car, and then to explore on foot (particularly in the old town, where the streets are very narrow and there's not much parking).The s'Albufeira National Park can be reached by bus. S'Albufera Natural Park situated on the outskirts of Alcudia. It is the largest and most important wetland area in the Balearic Islands. Originally a lagoon separated from the sea by a chain of dunes, the area has filled up with sediments, becoming an extensive floodplain. S'Albufera is the Balearic's prime birdwatching location. Some 271 different birds species have been sighted at the park.
Things to do:
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Walk (or ride a bike) in the S'Albufera Natural Park on a well marked trail of about 12 km. Just follow the red marks, or go to the information center of the park to get a free walking map. With a little bit of attention, you'll see interesting birds, fish and other animals. Don't forget to take enough water and a picnic.
- Walk around the Ermita de la Victoria, on the Alcudia peninsula. Two good short trails start from the Ermita de la Victoria. First follow the dirt road for a few hundred meters. You'll see a sign marked Penya des Migdia which brings you along the coast, just above the cliffs. Spectacular, but mind your steps. The other trail, marked Talaia d'Alcudia, leads to the top of a little mountain.
- There is an alternative, less crowded, route to the Talaia d'Alcudia. Prepare for a 4 hours hike in the mountains. From Alcudia, head for the Ermita de la Victoria but turn right in the Cami de la Muntanya. The last few hundred meters are gravel road but passable with a normal car. Park your car at the sign Coll de Ses fontanelles - Platja des Coll Baix, or at the big parking 200 m further (locals use this road to go to the beach). Put good mountain shoes on, take enough water and a picnic, and follow the direction Platja des Coll Baix. At the end of the gravel road, you'll see the beach below you and a refuge with picnic tables. Take the path on your left side, which climbs slowly up to the Talaia d'Alcudia. The path is marked with cairns and very discreet red spots. Admire the beauty of the views on the rocks and on the see all along the way. Once on the summit of the talaia, have a little rest and eat your picnic to regain your strength. Now you have to find the way back : come back a few meters on the path, to about halfway between the summit and the sign Talaia d'Alcudia. You'll see at your left side (going down from the summit) a little path which follows a ledge in the rock. That's your way down to the car (the trail is marked with cairns, red spots and even dung as donkeys are using it also). Just follow the trail up to a T under big trees. At this point, take left to get back to your car (the trail crosses the dry river several times).
- Enjoy the fantastic weather on the beach!