Alcudia, the most beautiful town for a holiday in Mallorca

Alcudia is a town in the northeast of Mallorca that is the perfect destination for anyone who loves the sea, peace and quiet, history, great food and Mallorcan traditions. Named the most beautiful town in Mallorca by The Times, it also enjoys excellent weather both in summer and winter. 

Discover its beautiful medieval areas and diverse and fascinating natural environment or savour some of the many local delicacies. There are thousands of activities and experiences. awaiting you in this corner of the north of the island.  

Zafiro Hotels has designed a guide to Alcudia with some of things we see as essential in the town and its surroundings.  

Content

1. A walk on the ancient walls of Alcudia


2. Alcudia old town, narrow streets, stone houses, balconies full of flowers


3. Pollentia, the most important site for Roman ruins in Mallorca


4. S'Albufera Nature Reserve, one of the most important wetlands in the Mediterranean


5. Enjoy the sunshine, the sea and the natural beauty


6. Do some sport in extraordinarily beautiful locations


7. Traditions and cuisine in Alcudia


8. Alcudia museums and cultural attractions


9. Where to stay in Alcudia 

A walk on the ancient walls of Alcudia 

The crenellated walls surrounding the old town of Alcudia are one of its biggest attractions. They date back to the reign of King Jaume II in the 16th century, and were built to protect the town from pirate attacks or from privateers drawn by its privileged location. 

The medieval wall is 6 metres high and has a four-sided structure which allows a stunning panoramic view of the town and its surroundings, including a wonderful view of the natural beauty of Pollensa Bay. 

The wall is the oldest in Mallorca and has 4 entrances and 26 watchtowers. The walls of Alcudia were declared a Historical Conservation Area in 1974, along with the Roman town of Pollentia. 

Don’t miss: 

• A walk on top of the walls with a stop to watch the sunset over the Tramuntana Mountains from the part next to the Alcudia Bullring.

• Enjoy the outside of the walls with a quiet 1.5km walk along the Camí de Ronda garden area.

• Admire the Porta de Sant Sebastià (or Porta de Mallorca) and the Porta del Moll (or Porta de Xara). 

Alcudia old town, narrow streets, stone houses, balconies full of flowers 

Entering the old town of Alcudia is like taking a very surprising journey back in time. You cannot fail to fall in love with its charming little squares, narrow cobbled streets and beautiful stone houses with their wooden doors, Mallorca’s typical green shutters and balconies full of flowers. 

It’s impossible not to admire the architecture of its numerous Renaissance manor houses (known as “casals”) in the historical centre: Can Castell, Can Canta, Can Domenec, Can Costa or Can Fondo 

Don’t miss: 

• A leisurely stroll through the quiet narrow streets of the old town.

• A visit to the neo-Gothic Sant Jaume Church, with its spectacular chapel and the exceptional altarpiece known as “Our Lady with Saint Sebastian and Saint Bernard”.

• A stop at one of the cafés or bars in the squares to take in the lovely vibe in the town.

Pollentia, the most important site for Roman ruins in Mallorca 

Outside the walls there is another fantastic surprise for anyone who loves history and culture. The ruins of the Roman city of Pollentia, the Roman capital of the Balearic Islands founded in 123 BC and the origins of modern Alcudia, include an amphitheatre carved into the rock, a porticoed street and buildings such as the House of the Bronze Head, the House of Treasures and others. 

All in all, the ruins offer a fascinating vision of life in ancient Rome, urban planning, and the way it was organised domestically. They are one of the best preserved and significant ruins in the whole of the Balearic Islands. The ruins can be easily reached through the Porta de Mallorca. 

Don’t miss: 

• Book a guided tour to make the experience even more interesting.

• Check whether any historical reenactments are scheduled in Pollentia during your stay.

• Visit the Pollentia Museum near the ruins, including a range of sculptures, coins and ceramics recovered from the site. 

S'Albufera Nature Reserve, one of the most important wetlands in the Mediterranean 

This paradise for nature lovers is very near Alcudia. It is a protected wetland, separated from the sea by a series of sand dunes. All in all, it covers an area of more than 1700 hectares and is home to a huge variety of birds and flora. 

It can be visited from 9am to 6pm from April to September and from 9am to 5pm from October to March. To get in you need a free visitor permit, which you can ask for when you arrive at the Sa Roca Reception Centre. 

You can get in to the park in Alcudia Bay, between Muro and Sa Pobla, on foot or by bike from the Pont dels Anglesos. Coming from Alcudia, the entrance is on the right just after crossing the bridge. 

Don’t miss: 

• Enjoy all the peace and silence in the area.

• Hiking or cycling through the area to better appreciate all the biodiversity.

• Do at least one of the 4 official routes around the reserve. 

• Get hold of some good binoculars to observe the huge variety of birds.

Enjoy the sunshine, the sea and the natural beauty 

Alcudia has 30 km of coastline full of beaches, little coves and cliffs of great beauty. The beaches include Alcudia Beach, with more than 7km of white sand, crystal-clear waters and stretches with unspoilt greenery. A paradise for sunbathing, admiring the most beautiful sunsets and enjoying the Mediterranean in such a charming setting. 

Or the spectacular Playa de Muro Beach, with its turquoise waters and more than 5km of fine, golden sand. One of the most beautiful beaches on the island and among the best for families with kids as it’s quite shallow and offers a wide range of services. The beach is surrounded by the S'Albufera Nature Reserve and is ideal for water sports. 

Other Mediterranean wonders in the area include the San Juan and San Pera beaches, S'Illot Beach and Es Coll Baix Beach, one of the most spectacular and remote beaches in Mallorca. 

If you have kids that love the water, be sure to also make a visit to Hidropark Alcudia. This water park in Puerto de Alcudia  occupies an area of more than 40,000 square metres and has numerous attractions for both kids and adults. 

Don’t miss: 

• A walk from Alcudia Yacht Club to Playa de Muro Beach to enjoy the scenery and the gentle sea breeze. 

• A boat trip along the north coast of Mallorca from Puerto de Alcudia.

• Snorkelling, windsurfing or sailing in the calm, clear waters off the beaches of Alcudia. 

Do some sport in extraordinarily beautiful locations 

The natural areas around Alcudia and Puerto de Alcudia offer a perfect setting for anyone who wants to enjoy a more active holiday or train for one of the popular cycling and triathlon events in the area for experts or beginners. This area is known for hosting the famous annual Ironman 70.3 and the Mallorca 312 cycling race. 

The cycling routes through the north and northeast of Mallorca are as stunning as they are varied, including routes through the Tramuntana Mountains, sections with sea views, cycling through beautiful inland villages, and roads through mountain passes, all followed by long swims in the calm, crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean.  

Perfect for training in a stunning natural environment or just enjoying some rest and relaxation with great weather at any time of year. 

Don’t miss: 

• The cycling route from Alcudia to the beautiful Formentor Lighthouse.

• A visit by bike to lovely places such as the Betlem Hermitage near Artà, the iconic Monastery of Lluc, Mount Tomir in Escorca or the Cúber and Gorg Blau reservoirs.

• A break to admire a beautiful sunset from Sa Foradada in Deià, either from the road or at sea level.

Traditions and cuisine in Alcudia 

One of the city's most traditional events is held every week next to the medieval walls. The traditional Alcudia Market is held on Tuesdays and Sundays, offering a great choice of fruit, vegetables and other typical island products, such as the famous and delicious sobrasada, a typical island sausage, or the hierbas mallorquinas, an after-dinner liqueur made with local aromatic herbs. In summer, the market is even more impressive, as it occupies a large part of the historic centre and becomes one of the largest markets in the whole of Mallorca. 

Alcudia also has a great choice of dining options, featuring superior-quality local ingredients from both the land and sea. The most famous dishes are the arrós brut (a creamy rice dish whose literal translation is “dirty rice”), tumbet (vegetable dish with layers of potato, aubergine and red peppers fried in olive oil), pica-pica (a cuttlefish stew), frito mallorquín (fried offal and vegetables), lechona (roast suckling pig), sopas mallorquinas (a dry soup, like a thick stew, using stale bread and vegetables), etc. 

Don’t miss: 

• Try the typical cocarrois (vegetable pasties) and robiols (half- moon-shaped pastries with sweet fillings) at the market. 

• Visit a local bakery to taste a freshly baked ensaimada.

• Savour a delicious Mallorcan dish in Puerto de Alcudia while enjoying enviable panoramic views. 

• Treat yourself or buy someone a gift (accessories, footwear, toys, etc.) at the weekly market.

Alcudia museums and cultural attractions 

In addition to Pollentia, the Victoria hermitage, the Town Hall or Santa Anna Church, there are many other places that deserve a visit. These include the Yannick and Ben Jacober Art Foundation in Sa Bassa Blanca in Alcudia, a museum between the sea and the mountains which is home to a notable collection of contemporary and modern art.   

Its works include Yoko Ono's Wish Tree, the Sokrates Space with works by Miquel Barceló or the Nins collection of portraits of children from the 16th to 19th century. The museum is open from 10am to 6pm from Wednesday to Saturday and from 10am to 3pm on Sunday. 

Another interesting visit is the Casal de Can Fondo art and culture centre. This restored Gothic building operates as an exhibition space and is home to the Bartomeu Serra i Martí documentation centre, a historian and famous resident of Alcudia. 

Don’t miss: 

• The collection of mystical animals in the sculpture park and a tour of the rose garden at the Sa Bassa Museum.

• The Renaissance arches and vaults at the Casal de Can Fondo.

• A visit to one of the Via Fora theatre performances from July 4 to August 22, 2024 to learn about the most notable moments in the history of Alcudia.

• Visiting the Boat Show and Cuttlefish Festival in April to learn more about sailing traditions and try some of the typical dishes based on cuttlefish.

Where to stay in Alcudia 

Zafiro Hotels offers two hotels in Puerto de Alcudia in Mallorca. Both of them boast a prime location for sports, exploring the Sierra de Tramuntana Mountains or relaxing on the most beautiful beaches on the island. 

A family destination very near Alcudia full of shops, restaurants and activities of every kind. Ideal for exploring all the attractions in the area and enjoying an unforgettable stay in Mallorca. 

Zafiro Palace Alcudia is a large 5-star resort that has received numerous awards for excellence. The hotel provides fantastic suites measuring between 44 and 165m2 with a private terrace and garden, fun-packed pools, superior-quality cuisine, adults-only areas and an extensive activities programme and facilities for kids. 

Zafiro Tropic is a magnificent 4-star hotel offering spacious studios and suites, several outdoor pools, an adults-only pool, a gym and numerous entertainment options for both adults and children.