Alcudia is a large, lively tourist resort with an enormous marina. Alcudia is a very popular port of call for bareboats and flotilla holidays. If you are looking for a bit of action in more sophisticated surroundings, this will suit you down to the ground.
Alcudia (from the Moorish words Al Kudia – the hill) is surprisingly flat! However, this has meant that the resort that now stands here, where once a roman capital stood, has had plenty of room to expand. In Alcudia you will find a multitude of bars, restaurants and fancy shops in the immediate vicinity of the marina. Further back from the waterfront there are yet more restaurants, cafes and bars; you will not go hungry here!
If you are looking for a more authentic atmosphere in which to dine, you have a 15 minute walk ahead of you to get to Old Alcudia. The old town of Alcudia is surrounded by a medieval wall. Inside you will find some very well preserved 13 century houses as well as yet more restaurants! However, in Old Alcudia you are more likely to find some traditional Mallorcan home cooking which makes a pleasant change from the usual tourist fare.
Supplies are readily available in town but there will be a bit of trekking involved.
The marina at Alcudia (Marina Alcudiamar) is a bustling hive of activity. With over 700 berths it can be a bit daunting after the peacefulness of sleepy anchorages but the staff are used to coaching yachts into seemingly impossibly tight spaces. Just remember to call ahead first, follow the entrance buoys and be aware that the fuel dock on the approach can create problems as large numbers of circling vessels are often waiting for fuel. The marina has all the usual facilities you would expect of a high end marina and a price tag to match during the summer months. However, things on the whole tend to be cheaper this end of Mallorca compared with the Palma area.
You can anchor to the west of the marina if you are on a budget or want to enjoy a cooler night’s sleep. Swimming buoys block off the shallow bay to the northwest of the marina but there is still plenty of space to anchor nearby. Holding is good on thick sand. There are some laid moorings in this zone but these appear to be for private use only. There is a self-service, pay-as-you-go water tap on the marina fuel quay (1€/100l) if you want to top up your tanks.
Historically this site has seen many changes. The port and immediate surroundings were developed by the Phoenicians and then added to by the Romans who made it the capital of Mallorca at one time. Once Alcudia was known for producing exquisite textiles used in the making of the finest togas in the roman empire. From these dizzying heights Alcudia’s fortunes dropped and then were raised again from the ashes the Vandals left. You can still see parts of the city walls and the remains of a roman theatre.
Other points of interest include the church of St Juame, St Martins Cave and some interesting displays at the museum.There is an excellent market in the old town every Sunday and Tuesday.
For the bird watchers amongst you the Nature Reserve at Albufera will be of interest. With over 1600 hectares of protected wetland habitat this park is home some unusual species, including the Moustached Warbler, and it also provides a port of call for many migrating species. Entrance to the park is free and it is open to walkers and bikers. The park lies south west of the harbour behind the Bahia de Alcudia resort area. Bahia de Alcudia has a magnificent white sand beach, Platja d’Alcúdia, which stretches some 14km along the coast.