Alcúdia Travel Guide

Alcúdia’s old town is compact and centred around the medieval walls and Plaça de la Constitució; most restaurants and shops sit inside or just outside this area. The harbour and marina (Port d’Alcúdia) lie a short stroll down the seafront and are lined with hotels and beachfront restaurants, while Platja d’Alcúdia is the long beached suburb stretching east and north of the port where most beach hotels are located.

Costs: $40-120 per day - Resort prices in summer; cafés and local buses are inexpensive.

Safety: Generally safe - Typical tourist precautions apply - watch belongings on crowded beaches and at the market.

Best Time: May-June, September - Shoulder seasons offer warm weather, fewer crowds and more services than winter.

Alcúdia sits on the northeastern shore of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands and is the main tourist centre in the island’s north. The town has two distinct parts: the compact, pedestrianised medieval old town with intact 14th-century walls, and the seaside resorts of Port d’Alcúdia and Platja d’Alcúdia that line the long sandy bay.

The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and later became important under the Romans as Pollentia; Roman remains and a small theatre stand close to the old town. After medieval rebuilding and the construction of defensive walls, Alcúdia remained a small agricultural and fishing community until tourism expanded from the 1970s onwards.

Today Alcúdia mixes heritage and holiday infrastructure: narrow streets, cafés and regular markets sit beside family hotels, beachfront promenades and a marina. The town stages several traditional festivals in summer, including the St. Jaume festivities and an open-air jazz festival, and it is a gateway for nature visits to nearby wetlands and the Tramuntana mountains.

Visit Alcúdia for a blend of history, beach and easy island access: the walled old town is unusually intact for Mallorca and rewarding to explore on foot, while Platja d’Alcúdia offers a long, sheltered sand beach ideal for families. There are Roman archaeological remains and a small museum that bring the town’s ancient past to life. Alcúdia is also a practical base for exploring northern Mallorca and the nearby S’Albufera wetlands.

Alcúdia has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The most comfortable times to visit are in late spring and early autumn when the sea is warm and rainfall is low.

Alcúdia is well connected by road and public transport from Palma and other Mallorcan towns, and the harbour handles seasonal ferry services. Travel options vary by season, with more services in summer.

• By Air: Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI): Palma Airport is the main gateway; by car the drive to Alcúdia takes about 45-60 minutes via the MA-13 depending on traffic. Regular intercity buses link the airport/Palma to Alcúdia in about 75-90 minutes; expect fares around €6-12.
• By Bus: from Palma: TIB intercity buses run between Palma and Alcúdia daily with journey times roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes and fares typically €5-10 one way.
• By Car: Driving gives flexibility to visit beaches and the Tramuntana; parking in the old town is limited so expect to park outside the walls or use paid lots near the port.
• By Ferry: Port d’Alcúdia: The port operates seasonal passenger ferry services to other Balearic islands and coastal destinations; crossings take several hours and prices vary by route and operator.

Alcúdia is compact and easy to explore on foot, with local buses and taxis for longer trips; many visitors rent bikes or cars to reach beaches and natural sites.

• Walking: The old town and seafront promenades are very walkable and the best way to enjoy the medieval streets and markets.
• Local bus and taxi: Local buses connect the town with neighbouring resorts and the S’Albufera park; taxis are available at ranks around the port and old town for short trips.
• Bike and scooter rental: Bicycles and scooters are popular for exploring the bay and nearby countryside, but watch for traffic on main roads and park responsibly in pedestrian zones.
• Boat trips: Excursion boats and day-trip services sail from the marina in summer, offering short cruises, snorkeling trips and routes to nearby coves.

Inside the old town you’ll find family-run tapas bars and cafés set in pedestrian lanes, while Port d’Alcúdia’s marina area concentrates seafood restaurants and seasonal terraces. Beachfront chiringuitos serve relaxed lunches in summer and smaller grocery shops and bakeries are scattered around Platja d’Alcúdia.

Nightlife in Alcúdia is low-key and family-friendly: expect bars with live music, summer beachfront venues and late-night options around the marina. For lively clubbing and late-night scenes you’ll need to travel elsewhere on the island.

Alcúdia’s markets (Sundays and Tuesdays) are the highlight for local produce, crafts and souvenirs; the old town has small boutiques selling ceramics, textiles and artisan goods. The port area has tourist-oriented shops and a handful of nautical stores for boating equipment.