Alcudia Travel Guide

The holiday resort of Port d'Alcudia is situated in the north of Mallorca at the top of a long curving bay with a seemingly endless white sandy beach. It's two miles (3km) south of the historical old town of Alcudia, from which it takes its name. The sprawling, purpose-built resort, together with its neighbour Playa de Muro, stretches for five miles (8km) either side of the coast road and is particularly popular with British, German, and Scandinavian holidaymakers. It has a fairly relaxed atmosphere, and its spectacular beach is the major attraction. It's also well placed for exploring the attractions around the north of the island.

Shopping

Alcudia doesn't have a distinct shopping district as shops selling buckets and spades and tourist trinkets line the beach road, and the other small shopping areas dotted around the resort cater mainly to holidaymakers. The satellite resort of Playa de Muro has an upmarket mall with some nice boutiques and the port area has a selection of designer shops. The supermarkets are good, stocking all the well-known brands along with cheap alcohol and cigarettes. The local market opens on Tuesday and Sunday mornings, and the market in Inca, 15 miles (24km) inland, opens on Thursdays. Good buys include the porcelain and leather goods, but it's a good idea to bargain hard.

Restaurants

Most restaurants in Alcudia cater to holidaymakers and unadventurous palates through plenty of fast-food establishments and cafés. There are also a few Italian, Indian, and Chinese restaurants. The better restaurants are mostly in the port area, where diners can find some decent Spanish, French, and seafood restaurants within a lovely harbour setting.

Nightlife

Alcudia has lots of bars, pubs and discos catering for most tastes but this is not the resort for holidaymakers who are after some serious clubbing. Many of the hotels offer in-house entertainment ranging from flamenco dancing demonstrations to stand-up comedy.

Holiday activities

The activities in Alcudia are mainly focused along the spectacular five-mile (8km) beach that fronts the holiday resort. All sorts of watersports can be arranged, from scuba diving to banana rides. There are tennis and squash courts in the resort and nearby attractions include a water park, a go-kart track and horse riding stables. Boat trips can be arranged to the stunning Formentor promontory where passengers can snorkel or simply take in the views. The nearby towns of Pollenca and Alcudia (old town) and the mountain village of Lluc are worth exploring for those who desire a little culture, while those looking to get away from it all can take a trip to the mountainous western side of the island.

Any negatives?

The resort of Alcudia is not known for its architectural merit as its skyline is dominated by 1960s style apartment blocks. To the relief of many, Alcudia is not the resort for party animals. Those looking for some serious clubbing should head for the south of the island.