North (Alcúdia, Pollença, Can Picafort)
Alcúdia
Last checked: October 2026
Alcúdia lies in the north of Mallorca and combines a medieval walled old town with one of the longest and shallowest sandy beaches on the island. It is considered Mallorca's strongest family region.
Families Beach holidays Active holidays Nature No hire car needed
Alcúdia combines a medieval old town with the bay's long sandy beach.
Quick answer
Who is Alcúdia ideal for?
For families with small children: the bay shelves so gently that children can walk a long way into the water. Alcúdia consists of three parts – the walled old town, the harbour of Port d'Alcúdia with most of the hotels, and the long beach towards Platja de Muro. A direct bus runs from the airport; you only need a car for excursions such as to Cap de Formentor.
Alcúdia effectively consists of three parts that are often confused: the historic old town inside the town wall, the harbour of Port d'Alcúdia with most of the hotels, and the kilometres-long beach along the bay. If you want family-friendly, shallow entry into the water, book on the beach; if you're looking for peace and character, stay in or near the old town and take the bus or bike to the sea.
Is Alcúdia right for your holiday?
Well suited for
- Families with small children (shallow water)
- Cyclists in spring and autumn
- Beach holidays with short distances
- Nature watching in s'Albufera
Less suited for
- City-break travellers looking for cultural events in the evening
- Winter holidays – many hotels and restaurants close from November to March
At a glance
- Region
- North (Alcúdia, Pollença, Can Picafort)
- From the airport
- 55 km · approx. 55 min
- Without a car
- 4/5
- Nearby beaches
- Platja de Muro (Sector 1 & 2), Platja d'Alcúdia
- Coordinates
- 39.8536, 3.1213
Place profile compared
Editorial rating from 1 to 5 – for comparing places, not as a review.
- Beach5/5
- Peace and quiet3/5
- Nightlife3/5
- Families5/5
- Culture3/5
- Food & drink4/5
On the ground
What makes Alcúdia special
Town wall and old town
Parts of the 14th-century wall can be walked along, and it encloses a compact network of lanes with sandstone houses. There is a weekly market in the old town on Tuesdays and Sundays, in the morning each time (roughly 8 am to 1.30 pm).
Kilometres of shallow sandy beach
The bay between Port d'Alcúdia and Can Picafort shelves so gently that children can walk far out. The northern part is close to the hotels; further south towards Platja de Muro it becomes more dune-like and quieter.
S'Albufera Nature Park
The largest wetland in the Balearics, right behind the beach, with level paths and observation hides. Reachable on foot or by bike from the beach; access is via the visitor centre.
Pollentia and the Roman Theatre
Remains of the Roman city of Pollentia lie right on the edge of the old town, along with the small theatre carved into the rock – a short but genuine historical contrast to the beach holiday. The excavation site and the Museu Monogràfic de Pol·lèntia are open during museum hours; current opening times and prices are published by the municipality of Alcúdia (alcudia.net).
Hike to Platja des Coll Baix
On the La Victòria peninsula, the pebble cove of Coll Baix lies between high cliffs. From the car park at Collet des Coll Baix it's about a 45-minute walk; the long variant via the Talaia d'Alcúdia is around 13 km with 720 metres of ascent (5–6 hours). There is no infrastructure and hardly any shade at the cove – take water and provisions and only park in designated spaces.
Accommodation
Where to stay in Alcúdia?
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Port d'Alcúdia
Harbour, promenade, excursion boats and most of the hotels. Short distances, plenty of choice, busy in high summer.
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Alcúdia old town
Quieter, with country hotels and small guesthouses. It's around two kilometres to the beach.
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Platja de Muro
Formally a separate municipality, in practice the continuation of the beach to the south. Quieter, with dunes and large holiday complexes.
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Bonaire / Mal Pas
Villa district on the north side of the peninsula with a small marina and rocky swimming spots. Limited without a car.
Compare & book · Hotel comparison
Compare hotels in Alcúdia
What matters in Alcúdia is proximity to the beach, noise in the evening and whether restaurants are within walking distance – criteria you can filter for directly in the search.
What's comparable: hotels and accommodation by place, travel dates, board and facilities.
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Getting around locally
The beach, old town, harbour and weekly market can be reached on foot, by bike or by local bus. For Formentor, Cap de Ses Salines or Tramuntana tours, a hire car for individual days makes sense.
From the airport to Alcúdia
Aerotib line A33 connects Palma airport directly with the north: in winter as far as Port d'Alcúdia, in summer on to Can Picafort (as of the 2025/26 winter timetable). Depending on stops, the journey takes just under an hour; by taxi or transfer it's around 55 minutes. Current timetables and fares at tib.org.
Within the town, the beach, old town and harbour can be reached on foot, by bike or by local bus.
Active
Activities & experiences in Alcúdia
Top activities & experiences
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Pollentia ruins
Culture
The excavation site of the Roman city of Pollentia lies right on the edge of the old town.
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Hidropark Alcúdia
Leisure park & family
Family-friendly water park in Port d'Alcúdia – ideal for holidaymakers in the north of Mallorca.
Avinguda d'Anglaterra s/n, 07400 Port d'Alcúdia
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Alcudia Padel
Padel in Mallorca
A place to play padel for holidaymakers in the north of Mallorca.
Via de Corneli Àtic, 07400 Alcúdia
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Parc Natural de s’Albufera
Mountain biking in Mallorca
Nature tip for more relaxed cycling; observe the protection rules and permitted paths on site.
Av. de s'Albufera, 07458 Muro / Alcúdia
More activities in Alcúdia
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WaterSports Mallorca
Water sports in Mallorca
Kitesurfing, windsurfing, wing foiling, paddle surfing/SUP and catamaran in the north.
Av. de s'Albufera, Hotel Playa Esperanza, 07408 Alcúdia
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Club de Golf Alcanada
Golf
Coastal course with views of Alcanada island and its lighthouse; pine and olive landscape.
Carretera del Faro s/n, 07400 Alcúdia, Mallorca
Beaches
Swimming near Alcúdia
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Platja de Muro (Sector 1 & 2)
Fine sand · approx. 1.8 km Family-friendly sandy beach with a long belt of dunes and a gently shelving entry. Families Beach profile →
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Platja d'Alcúdia
Fine sand · approx. 3.4 km Wide, light sandy beach with a very gently shelving entry and play and sports facilities. Families Beach profile →
View all beaches with filters →
Excursions
Activities around Alcúdia
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Catamaran trip
Catamaran trips start from Palma, Port d'Alcúdia, Cala d'Or, Port d'Andratx and Cala Ratjada, among others. Typical options are half-day trips of about three hours, full-day tours with swimming stops and sunset trips in the evening. 2–8 hours April to October Selection guide & details →
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Cap de Formentor
Cap de Formentor is Mallorca's northern tip, with a lighthouse, viewpoints and steep cliffs. In high season the access road is closed to private cars during the day; you get there by shuttle bus or boat. The Alcúdia–Formentor bus line ran seasonally in 2026 from 15 May to 15 October. half a day all year round, access restricted in summer Getting there, closure times & stops →
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S'Albufera Nature Park
S'Albufera near Alcúdia is the largest wetland in the Balearics. The paths are level and car-free, and observation hides make the park one of the most important birdwatching areas in the Mediterranean. 2–4 hours all year round, especially spring Paths, hides & getting there →
Location of Alcúdia and the nearest beaches.
Food & drink
Restaurants in Alcúdia
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€€€
Ca'n Matevet
Port d'Alcúdia
Fish & seafood
- Harbour
- Special occasion
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€€
Dakota Tex Mex
Port d'Alcúdia
- Harbour
- Families
- Casual
-
€€
Hills Thai & Sushi
Port d'Alcúdia
Thai · Sushi
- Harbour
- Families
-
Michelin star Michelin Green Star Repsol Soles €€€€
Maca de Castro
Port d'Alcúdia
Mallorcan
Head chef Maca de Castro is regarded as one of the defining figures of modern Mallorcan cuisine.
- Harbour
- Special occasion
- Fine Dining
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€€
Makaria
Port d'Alcúdia
Italian
- Harbour
- Families
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€€
Mango Thai
Port d'Alcúdia
Thai
Thai restaurant on the Port d'Alcúdia/Platja de Muro strip, dishes freshly made to order.
- Harbour
- Families
- Casual
Topics around Alcúdia
- Restaurants in the old town Celler cuisine, tapas and cafés inside the town wall
- Restaurants at the harbour Promenade and marina in Port d'Alcúdia
- Weekly markets in Mallorca In Alcúdia on Tuesday and Sunday mornings
- Family beaches Why the bay of Alcúdia works with children
- Family hotels Accommodation with a short walk to the beach
- Check car hire Worthwhile for individual days for Formentor and the Tramuntana
Alternatives with a different character
Frequently asked questions about Alcúdia
Is Alcúdia suitable for families with toddlers?
Yes – that is the town's central strength. The beach shelves very gently over a long stretch, and there are wide promenades for pushchairs, playgrounds and many family-oriented hotels.
How far is Alcúdia from Palma airport?
Around 55 kilometres, about 50 to 60 minutes' drive via motorway and country road. There are scheduled buses and transfer services; there is no direct rail connection.
Does Alcúdia work without a hire car?
Largely, yes. The beach, harbour, old town and market are close together, and buses connect the towns around the bay. For Cap Formentor and mountain tours, a hire car for individual days or a guided tour is recommended.
Is there a bus from the airport to Alcúdia?
Yes, Aerotib line A33 runs directly from Palma airport to Port d'Alcúdia, and in summer on to Can Picafort.
When is market day in Alcúdia?
On Tuesday and Sunday mornings in the old town inside the town wall.
Where is the best place to stay in Alcúdia with children?
Right on the bay between Port d'Alcúdia and Platja de Muro: short distances to the shallow beach. If you prefer it quieter, stay at Platja de Muro.
Image credit: View from the town wall over Alcúdia's old town: photo Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons