ALCUDIA
Area: Majorca
Country: Spain


Location:
On the NE coast, 34 miles NE of Palma and the airport by way of a good, mainly straight road.

Telephone code from UK:
34

Website:
http://www.balearics.com

Position:
On flat terrain, at the N end of the gracefully curving Bay of Alcudia, terminating at the busy port. The resort sprawls southwards, towards the flat marshes of S'Albufera. Western expansion is checked by the small but steep hill of Sant Marti.

Description:
A rambling, linear development straddling the coast road for 3 miles before merging with the supposedly separate resort of Playa de Muro, which extends a further 2 miles. Hotels, restaurants, bars and shops are distributed unevenly, with concentrations in the port, at the crossroads near the N end of Lake Esperanza and to a lesser extent at Las Gaviotas and Playa de Muro, lower down. There are residential areas in between, giving the resort a dispersed, faintly American feel. Several small lakes were connected many years ago by a system of canals and basins, and the water does add interest to the artificial town. The old town, which provides the resort's name, is 1 mile away.

Suitability:
Cosmopolitan, even though German and English predominate over Spanish. Gentle shallow waters and entertainment for children, sufficient nightlife for insomniacs and a few secluded spots for couples.

Accommodation:
Large numbers of moderate hotels and apartments, with a smattering of quality. The majority were built in the 1960s and 1970s and belong to the blockhouse school of architecture. Some of the newer additions have, however, improved greatly on their forebears. Playa de Muro features more modern, upmarket and stylish properties.

Shopping:
The dispersed layout does not assist the shopper but the local centres all provide basic essentials, souvenirs, beach necessities and often more. Good boutiques and shops selling jewellery and handicrafts are thinly sprinkled among the resort streets. Playa de Muro has an upmarket mall. A few supermarkets provide for self-caterers. Alcudia market on Tuesday and Sunday mornings.

Beach:
A magnificent stretch of pale sand extends almost unbroken for 9 miles. It is the longest and one of the finest on the island, with a tree-shaded pedestrian walkway running along much of its developed length.

Entertainments:
Daytime: boat trips, tennis, squash, multi-sport clubs, water sports, cycling. There is a large water park and go-karting centre on the edge of town. Nightlife: centred in the port area and near the central crossroads, where there are many bars and several discos. Action is more thinly spread in the rest of the resort. Many hotels have their own shows often open to guests.

Eating:
Fast food in most parts; many good restaurants too. Eateries to suit most budgets with the emphasis on casual dining and N European cuisine. Waterfront eating in the port.

Public-transport:
Public buses run the length of the resort with pick-up points at regular intervals. Frequent services to Puerto de Pollensa and Ca'n Picafort, a few a day to Palma. Taxis are easy to find and are quite reasonable; fixed rates are posted at ranks.

Local-excursions:
Nearby old town of Alcudia with medieval streets, Roman remains. Puerto de Pollensa and Formentor. The monastery of Lluc and onward to Soller, Deya, Valldemosa. Drach caves. Palma and all other principal sights can be covered in day trips. Thursday market at Inca. Jeep safaris. Horse riding. Boat cruises. Evening shows.