Alcúdia, a surprising corner of calm

Alcúdia, called the city faithful in times of Christian reconquest, is the Arabic name and the Roman footprint. A past forged between them in a privileged enclave in northern Majorca. Situated a stone’s throw from the Serra de Tramontana, Alcúdia has his back to Mallorca and rural peasant, and bathe their feet the waters of two bays, Pollença of the North and the East of Alcudia. Alcúdia is in the midst of this area of contrasts, between the stone wall of Serra and sandy coves of the bay alcudiense, between the north wind, sea and inland. All Mallorca are close to Alcudia.

The historical legacy that does not detract from Alcúdia remains today a place unknown to many residents and Majorcan. As surprising as for some unknown to the majority. It is not common found a place as authentic located so close to the tourist resorts and which has succeeded in maintaining the essence of Mediterranean town where everything happens to another speed, where everything is eat and enjoy. In Alcúdia, in a sense, we live today as yesterday, collected within its medieval walls (which began construction in the year 1300). Sa Plaza is the nerve centre of alcudienses, rather than step, the meeting point. He found around terraces and bars that allow us to enjoy this quiet place and combine it with a good dish.In either of the square leaving winding streets in various directions until you reach a certain point in the Wall as, doors and Xara Sant Sebastià, or the Church of Sant Jaume, which lies opposite the Roman city of Pollentia , And a bit beyond the Roman Theater, a “rare” and that instead of being built, is dug into the rock.

A row of orange trees mark the route of the main streets, Carrer del Moll and Carrer Major. In these streets and adjacent small shops we found that jewelry, shoes, clothing stores, bars, restaurants between large casales built many centuries ago, small and peaceful small squares. Alcúdia is one of those corners where it is worth losing one of its streets left to go in every corner discovering a new charm, a new sensation.Every Tuesday and Sunday morning speeding up the pace of the city with the market. The farmers, traders, artisans, artists fill the people of colour and bustle around, inside and outside the medieval wall.In barely two miles we find the Port d’Alcúdia, a small fishing port transformed today in a village that lives off the sea front. The promenade, awarded in different competitions of architecture and urbanism, crosses the Port in a nice walk with scent breeze. On one side the sea, llauts traditional fishing boats and modern marina of Alcudiamar. On the other side, the best fish restaurants, ice cream parlors and clothing stores. And in front of the beach, miles of fine sand that draws the semicircle of the Bay of Alcudia. It is the most crowded beach, which has all kinds of services from kiosks to rent boats or sailing courses.

It is not the only beach. Those beach seekers have much to do Alcúdia in the town because there are nearly two dozen: sand, stone, accessible only by sea. Among the intimate beaches include Alcanada, of S’Illot or Baix Coll. The latter is a true miracle of nature to which is only accessible by boat or after a pleasant outing among pine trees and rocks.

Precisely since Coll Baix begin some very interesting excursions for those who love trekking and nature as it climbs up Sa Talaia, a former defensive watchtower at the highest point of town. From top are the two bays, Serra, Alcúdia, the Pla de Mallorca and when the day is clear, the coast of Menorca.

But if there is somewhere missed for nature lovers and are S’Albufera S’Albufereta, two of the most ecologically important wetlands of the Balearic Islands, located in Alcúdia and its environs, and bringing together an interesting animal and plant life . How could it be otherwise, we can finish this tour of Alcúdia in Sa Plaza, the place that inspired the works of Alexandre de Cuellar entitled Cafè Plaza. He wrote about Alcúdia “(…) Many more things we could say about this extraordinary people, many accolades could still spend, because they really deserve it. Every year we find new virtues, each year we put a little more inside the heart, every year you want more. “

Attractions

For those interested in culture
– The City of Roman Pollentia, founded in 123 a.C
– The Roman theatre, exceptional for being dug into the rock.
– City Alcúdia medieval, walled town which is located within the existing town of Alcudia
– Yannick and Ben Jakober Foundation with an interesting collection of portraits of children.
– Monographic Museum Pollentia
– Museum Parish Church of Sant Jaume.

Interestingly some beaches
Alcúdia has nearly two dozen different kinds of beaches as:
– Beaches cosy as S’Illot, Alcanada
– Beaches naturalists as is Baix Coll.
– Sandy beach with all facilities and services (hammocks, umbrellas, sailing school, attractions, bars, parking, restaurants,…) as the Playa del Puerto de Alcudia.
– Beaches windsurfing and kite-surfing as Can Cap de Bou
– There are other beaches accessible only by sea in the Municipality of Alcudia.

Nature and excursions
– Natural Park S’Albufera
– Natural Park S’Albufereta.
– Walk along the protected areas of Ermita de la Victoria, and S’Atalaia Penya des Migdia (highly recommended)
– Excursion to the Caves of Minorca (underground caves unexplored)

Sports
– Water park of Hidropark (slides, wave pool, mini golf,… TENs)
– Costa Cruises to sail north. There are boat trips (Cruises Med)
– Alcanada Golf Course, 18 holes opened in 2004
– Delta-winged glider and from Puig de Santa Marta (mountains where the thermal currents allow the practice of these sports)
– Marinas and Donaire of Alcudiamar
– Cycling (ideal starting point to ascend the Serra de Tramontana, Alcúdia has areas with bike lane)
– Municipal sports facilities (Football field of artificial grass, covered pavilion with bleachers, indoor swimming pool under construction, gym,…)