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The broad, long main beach at Puerto de Alcúdia

© Creative Commons / Fagerjord

Puerto de Alcúdia Beach

Puerto de Alcúdia is a large sprawling resort that lines the northern part of the bay of Alcúdia. There is a marina and a ferry port, serving Barcelona and Menorca, but little maritime flavour. Its biggest asset is its enormous top-quality beach.

Beach

The broad, long main beach at Puerto de Alcúdia stretches for around 12km (7 miles) around the bay. It is the longest, and according to many, the best beach on the island, certainly large enough to accommodate the summer multitude. The golden sands shelve gently to the sea, providing ideal bathing for young families. Holidaymakers can hire surfboards, go scuba diving, jet- and water-skiing, wind- and kite-surfing, ride inflatables and paraglide. The Playa de Muro stretch, to the south, is an attractive protected area with dunes.

Beyond the beach

The original walled Old Town of Alcúdia, 2km (1.2 mile) from the northern end of Puerto de Alcúdia, is well worth a visit for its atmospheric reconstructed medieval streets, full of cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops. In Roman times Alcúdia was called Pollentia and remains from this period include a well preserved bridge and part of a theatre. To escape the crowds visit the S'Albufera Nature Reserve, adjacent to the southern end of the resort (Carretera Alcúdia-Artà), a large area of open marshland where visitors come mostly to watch birds. Golfers might like to note that the nearby Robert Trent Jones-designed Club de Golf Alcanada (Alcanada) is a testing 18-hole links course.

Family fun

Puerto de Alcúdia is an excellent resort for families with a beach large enough to accommodate allcomers. Lifeguards are on duty in summer. All eating and drinking places are family friendly and there are lots of family attractions within a short distance. With its giant water slides, swimming and boating pools, and three mini-golf courses in landscaped surroundings, the Alcudia Hidropark (Avenida Tucán) is the main draw. There is also a large go-kart track.

Exploring further

Mallorca's capital, Palma, is seriously underrated. This is one of Spain's most beautiful small cities with a magnificent cathedral, atmospheric old streets, and some great shopping, eating and drinking opportunities. Old-timer trains rattle north from Palma, slicing through the picturesque hill region known as the Tramuntana to Sóller, where a tram trundles down to the coast. Pollensa is a charming old town 14km (8.5 miles) north west while a day trip to the spectacular Cuevas del Drach cave system, at Porto Cristo (around 50km/30 miles south east from Puerto de Alcúdia) is the favourite day out on the east side of the island.

Splashing out

Dine in style alfresco with bay views at Ca'n Cuarassa (Carretera Port de Pollensa- Alcúdia). The excellent Spanish and Mediterranean menu includes home-made pasta, charcoal-grilled fish and meat and an extensive wine list.

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