With non-stop sun, plenty of fun, and a host of family friendly activities on tap, Alcúdia rates as one of the happiest places in the Spanish Balearic Islands. If you’re looking to take your family on an active break to the Mediterranean, there are few places with as much to offer.
Beach Fun in the Sun
We’re talking about the Balearics, after all, so where else would we start but the beach? The Blue Flag Alcúdia Beach looks like it’s been tailor-made for the front of a glossy tourist brochure. Fine white sand, the ubiquitous turquoise water (#nofilter!), safe, shallow waters, and around 80 metres wide in most places. It stretches some 9 kms, from Puerto Alcúdia up to Platjes de Muro and Ca’n Picafort, so there’s plenty of room to stake your claim with a towel. If you plan on spending a bit of time sunbathing while the kids play, however, you might want to hire a sun lounger from an attendant for just €6-7 a day (10am-6pm).
For children, swimming conditions are absolutely perfect, as the shallows stretch quite a way out before gently shelving off to deeper water, and there are lifeguards on duty at peak times. You can embark on diving trips and boat tours from the beach, and water sports company Funny Beach operates at several points, offering parasailing, pedalos, kayaks, canoes, bananas, ringos, and jet skis.
An Amazing Maze
What child doesn’t love a maze? There are hours of family fun to be had at El Laberinto Maze Park, located at Playa de Muro – and this is a maze park with a difference. Accompanied by fairies, wizards, water dragons, monsters, clowns and jokers, participants have to make their way out of the 1356m maze, with the help of just four landmarks. It’s certainly not easy, but it’s a whole lot of fun!
El Laberinto is on the Alcúdia-Can Picafort coastal road and is open every day from 10.30am. Entry is €14.50 for adults and € 7.50 for children. If you want to come multiple times, keep your ticket stubs and you’ll get discounted entry on the next visit!
GoKarting
Kartingmania is a great place for children to get in some race car driving – even those as young as four! Sessions out on the track are organised in terms of adults, teenagers, and younger ones, so it’s safe, fun, and everyone gets a fair go. The well-designed tracks incorporate lots of twists and turns, just like the real Formula One, and with safety gear, full briefing, and constant supervision provided, the thrill of go-karting is the perfect complement to a few lazy days on the beach.
Kartingmania is located in the Bellevue Hotel complex at Puerto Alcúdia and is open every day from 9.30am until midnight. Sessions start from €20.
A Visit to the Old Town
While no kid wants to be told they’re having a history lesson on their holiday, they won’t even know they’re learning on a visit to Alcúdia Old Town. Youngsters will be amazed at the crumbling old buildings, massive ramparts, and the imposing Xara, Sant Sebastia, Palm, and Del Port gates, which guard the entrances to the ancient walled city. Stop in at the Museo Monografico (at Calle Sant Jaume, 30) to see a host of exhibits unearthed from the surrounding area, giving an insight into life many centuries ago. It’s a real step back in time, and is in complete contrast to the rest of the bustling resort town.
No matter what age your children, they need never suffer a dull moment while holidaying in Alcúdia and the above activities are just the start of what’s on offer.
How to Get to Alcúdia
There are a host of budget airlines that fly into Palma Mallorca Airport, and a flight from the UK takes just over two hours. If you want to take public transport from the airport, you can catch a bus to the centre of the city, then a local connection to Alcúdia (although you’ll have to walk a little way to the bus station). For the easiest and most relaxing way to get straight to the door of your accommodation, pre-book a private Mallorca airport taxi with Shuttle Direct. Your friendly driver will meet you at the airport and you’ll be in Alcúdia in just 45 minutes.
If you’re coming to Mallorca from mainland Spain, you can either take a flight with one of the national airlines (Iberia, Spainair or Air Europa), or come via ferry from Barcelona, Valencia or Denia.
Where to Stay:
Apartamentos Carlos V – Right in the centre of Alcúdia, the Apartamentos Carlos V is perfect for the family on a budget. A sun-drenched family apartment will set you in the centre of historic Alcúdia, but within walking distance of the beaches. Enjoy the traditional ambience of the friendly bar and café for breakfast, then wander through the Old Town and down to the sea.
Hotel Moré – You’ll almost feel like you’re sleeping on the water with the fabulous ocean facing rooms overlooking the beach at the Hotel Moré. The sun terrace and gorgeous garden surrounds of the hotel allow free rein for the children to play outside, and everything from the spacious balconies, ocean views and bright contemporary décor screams ‘holiday’.
PortBlue Pollentia Club Resort – You might not ever want to leave the PortBlue Pollentia Club Resort to explore the rest of Alcúdia! But there’ll be no guilt, with the self-contained resort’s three swimming pools, tennis courts, kids’ club and the beautiful beach just steps away. The spacious family suites feel like home away from home, and you can relax in the onsite bar or get pampered in the luxury wellness centre, knowing the children are having as much fun as they can handle.
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