Playa d’Alcúdia’s long sandy beach
The former island capital, Alcúdia, is without doubt one of those towns in Majorca that has built up a unique tourism infrastructure with incredible dynamism over the last 50 years.
From the 1960s to 1980s, the hotel industry and politicians banked exclusively on mass tourism. This gave rise, for example, to Europe’s biggest hotel complex, the “Bellevue” which has over 10,000 beds.
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Shift to sustainable tourism in Alcúdia
At the beginning of the 1990s the hotel industry and politicians had a change of heart, and the emphasis shifted to quality. Today’s sustainable tourism may be seen as the result of this quality offensive.
Almost every hotel now has a wellness and spa area, and has been upgraded to meet the latest technical standards.
Renovated old country estates as rural hotels
Rural hotels – mainly lovingly restored old country estates – market the “other” Majorca and form the starting point for walking tourism in the Tramuntana Mountains or in the mountain world of the Victoria peninsula that separates the bays of Pollensa and Alcudia. A recently created and attractive Nordic Walking track leads along the coastal spots of Bacares, Manresa, Mal Pas and Bonaire directly to the summit of the Atalaya with panoramic views of Alcúdia Bay, Pollensa Bay, and the open sea.
Aucanada golf course
There is a view of the sea from just about every point on the newly-built Aucanada golf course.
Water sport lovers’ meeting point
Because of its protected location and the favourable wind conditions Alcúdia Marina has become a mecca for kiters. Whenever the wind permits, one can observe the impressive spectacle of gorgeously coloured kites dancing in the sky.
Apart from the big marina at Puerto Alcúdia, with its completely refurbished restaurant and shopping strip, the little harbours of Bacares or Bonaire (Cocodrilo) tend more to the traditional. Restaurants here are still family run.
Naturally, classic “sun ‘n’ sand” tourism has also improved in the last 10 years. Playa de Alcúdia with its 7 kilometres of white sand and shallow water now has showers, beach promenades, protected dune areas, good parking facilities, and it is THE place for family outings, for locals and tourists alike.
Cyclists love the perfect conditions in Alcúdia
Cyclists come together here in spring and autumn to train in the best weather conditions on the well-built, broad roads. Every year in September, the town of Alcúdia organises a cycle race up Majorca’s highest mountain, Puig Major (1400 m).