Seafront city of Alcudia is a mere 24 square miles (60 square kilometers) that has no attitude on how much this lovely port and olden city on the island’s nether area, can offer trip creators.
You can catch it, as the Romans did, in the northern touches of Mallorca about an hour or so away from Mallorca’s capital, Palma. Sure it doesn’t have the buzzy boozy nightlife of Magaluf – gratefully. Instead, it is home to gorgeous landscape, sufficiently of tradition, a lovely family friendly beach and a memorable art destination that is crying out to be found.
The Hills got there in the 9th century and stayed for 300 years. They named this ancient hilltop city “Al-Quad” which means the hill in Arabic.They were overcome by King James I in 1298. But it was King James II who planned the 14th century quadrangular formed ramparts. The 6m high walls are still intact and they create a lovely stroll giving views over rooftops and private terraces. Its 1.5 km length is dotted with 26 towers and two gates – Porta de Xara and Porta de Mallorca – which have been open National Monuments.
Medieval Walls of the Old Town
They almost surround the compact old town whose quaint winding roads are stitched by sandstone design that looks cutest in the golden-hued late afternoon sunlight. Within them are a flurry of quaint shops and restaurants. Ajuntament d’Alcúdia in the Calle Mayor area You are bound to pass the white-washed Ajuntament d’Alcúdia (Town Hall) and its attractive gold-topped clock tower in the Calle Mayor area.
The Beach
Platja de Alcudia beach in Mallorca Majorca at Balearic islands of SpainAlcudia has a family friendly beach.The excellent wide-brimmed, soft-sand beach on Platja d’Alcúdia and is one of the lengthiest on the island. It’s ideal for young families because around here the beach has supportively shallow waters, especially by Playa De Muro. Yet it also offers unseen coves and impressive cliffs that feature along its 14km lengthy stretch all the way to Can Picafort. For the kids there’s a fun theme water park by the water’s edge, go-karting and crazy golf.
The Roman town of Ciudad de Pollentia
Sited close between BahÃa de Pollensa and BahÃa de Alcudia, and suitably close to old town of Alcudia are the remains of the Roman capital of the Balearic Islands. It’s called Ciudad de Pollentia (which means city of power, a name that provides an insight as to how the Romans perceived themselves).
It’s been years of excavation to expose an unbelievable 12 hectares of ruins from the 1st century BC. Most of it is relaxed to discern and each segment has a notice board of information to help the juices of the thoughts conjure up pictures of what might have been.
Founded by Quinto Cecilio Metel the city comprises three segments: the residential district – barrio de La Portella – where you can see some streets and buildings of the time, a 100m segment of the city walls and the Forum.
Near 15 minutes away on the outskirts of the Roman city is the Roman theatre. Yes, it’s a long walk but as a perk, you get to see some verdant land and pretty wildflowers along the way.
The Romans precious theatrics and this theatre’s ability of up to 2,000 people is testament to that. Test the acoustics; you’ll be impressed with the sound. Or climb the steps to the top for a very instagrammable photo. Be careful though, depending on the time of year, mosquitoes linger here, so keep repellant handy.
The entrance fee is 4 euros a person (kids free) and gives access to the museum located elsewhere in town. Just follow the red Roman symbols painted on the pavement from the entrance of the site to the monographic museum next to the church.
Sa Bassa Blanca museum is the highlight of Alcudia and a destination in its own right. Yet it is squirreled away just outside of town so you’ll need a car to get there.
It has its roots in the 70s when artists and collectors Ben Jakober and Yannick Vu acquired a farmhouse. With the help of Egyptian architect, Hassan Fathy, they converted it into an inspiring, sprawling Hispano-Moorish building with appealing white domes, tiled floors and doors and a courtyard with several styles of gardens with lush mountains as the backdrop and sights of the sea beyond.
Though they no lengthier live there, this gorgeous building makes for a exciting nose-around. It’s full of curiosities and various collections of new and existing art and 50 photographic portraits of key artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. One room is committed to sculptures by Meret Oppenheim, Antoni Miralda, Takis and Alan Rath. An entire room is also dedicated to the designs by Vu Cao Dam, Yannick Vu’s dad.
On the top floor, there is a room whose ceiling is so awesome it even has a name – “The Mudejar”. It was created in 1498, and is a sensational example of ancient Balearic craftsmanship.
There are some underground galleries that include portraits of royal children and a particularly inspiring exhibition in the Socrates gallery about Space and Time. Oddities like a giant golden dummy, a dancing shoe and a sparkling 10,000 piece crystal curtain by Swarovski acting as the backdrop to a fossilized skeleton of a Siberian woolly rhinoceros are sure to raise a curious eyebrow.
The gardens are simply beautiful and created with a great deal of heartfelt inspiration. Every so often there are granite animals such as hippos, rams, elephants and a bizarre octopus all created by the two artists. It’s their personal safari.
There’s also a wish tree shaped by Yoko Ono where branches are marked with the personal hopes and wishes of visitors.
A 15-minute climb to what was once a military lookout, over the Bay of Alcudia lead to three large columns and a large human statue, Figura, on the roof of the Observatory. Inside there’s a bizarre installation Aquarium by Ben and Yannick. In effect, it is a mind-boggling hall of mirrors.
There is a sliding scale of fees depending on what you wish to visit and if you would like a tour. These start at 10 euros.
Find the Mirado de la Victoria on the coast road of the La Victoria peninsula amid fragrant pine trees. Love typically limited food such as Frito Mallorquin and Fish a la Mallorquina and a truly delicious paella. The sights over the unpoint natural prettiness of the sea and the mountains beyond are spectacular
Restaurant Miramar
At the 19th century Restaurant Miramar you can eat inside or alfresco on the terraces that overlook the fishing port of Alcudia Mediterranean cuisine includes fish, seafood and meat and a wine cellar.
Restaurante El JardinAt stylish restaurant Restaurante el Jardin your backdrop is wavy white walls and a sculpture or two by Yannick Ru. It is run by Dani and Macarena del Castro – Macarena has a Michelin Star and so you can expect fine dining here that changes with the seasons.
Reaching ThereIf you have a car, you can drive to Alcudia without a problem. From Palma take the highway MA-13.Catch orientated with an excursion tour of Mallorca from Alcudia
Attracted in traveling Alcudia and the rest of Mallorca? Nofrills Excursions run a brilliant trip from Alcudia to Puerto de Soller by bus, train, boat, and tram. You’ll take in gorgeous views of the Tramuntana mountain range, discover the Torrent de Paréis gorge and take a tram along the seafront at Puerto Soller. The tour runs all Wednesday and Sunday and costs €64 per adult and €17 per child.
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