The beautiful town of Alcúdia, on Spain’s sunny island of Mallorca, is a fantastic place for a memorable family holiday. With inviting sandy beaches, a well-preserved Old Town surrounded by impressive Medieval walls and a peaceful ambience throughout the town, this is a great setting for those travelling with youngsters.
Read up on the historic and cultural jewels of Alcúdia here.
I understand that taking kids on holiday can be daunting as you want to keep them entertained, but equally, you do not want to break the bank as you have to factor in travel, accommodation, food etc. Fear not, as I have scoured the web and spoken to parents who have travelled to Alcúdia to collect the best tips for things to do for families on a budget. Here are my top 10 tips:
1. Wander Around the Old Town
Alcúdia’s Old Town and the mighty encircling walls are a sight to behold and will impress the little ones, as well as mum and dad. In addition to all of the amazing architecture in this area, the atmosphere is lovely and peaceful – you won’t have to worry about heavy traffic, as most areas are car-free.
Insider Tip: Take a stroll around the top of the walls! The kids will feel like the King of the Castle.
2. Hidropark
Of course the kids will not want to spend their entire holiday looking at old architecture, which is why I recommended scheduling a day at the superb Hidropark waterpark (perhaps save this for the hottest day!). It is the only park of its kind in northern Mallorca and features dozens of slides, pools and children’s splash areas. There are also areas for relaxing, mini golf and the option of eating at the onsite restaurant or barbeque.
3. Hit the Beach
Those on a budget will be on the lookout for free activities and you cannot beat a beach day for this. There is a selection of family-friendly beaches to choose from, but the best ones are said to be Platja de Muro, Cala Agulla and Cala Mondragó. You can chill out with a good book and catch some rays, or alternatively splash around in the shallow waters with the kids.
Don’t forget your sun cream!
4. El Laberinto Maze Fun Park
Another popular park is the El Laberinto Maze Fun Park (conveniently located along the Playa de Muro beach), which is a great place to take the kids to burn up some energy! The park has an enormous wooden maze, go karting suitable for most ages, fun characters dotted around the park and plenty more to keep them going.
5. Parc Natural de S’Albufera
This nature reserve behind Playa de Muro will allow your kids to view a wide range of majestic creatures in their natural habitat. This could include herons, turtles, water buffaloes and moustached warbles, just to name a few. It is a very peaceful area and a nice escape from the town. Be sure to bring your binoculars for extra viewing fun!
6. Palma Aquarium
If the nature reserve wasn’t enough then many sources say that the Palma Aquarium is well worth the trip inland. Here you will find around 8,000 colourful marine creatures in tanks, plus there is a leisure and entertainment centre which is fun for both kids and their parents.
7. Hike/Bike ride
Although hiking is not great for those with little legs, it seems that it would be a wasted opportunity to visit Alcúdia and not head into the spectacular Tramuntana mountains, where you can enjoy stunning views. If hiking is not an option, you could cycle on one of the more gentle trails and enjoy a picnic underway!
8. Childcare
A holiday is as much for mum and dad as it is for the children (perhaps more so!). With this in mind, many parents claim that arranging a babysitter for a few hours so that you can get out and enjoy some time together is a great idea (consider a romantic meal and/or indulging in Alcúdia’s nightlife!). Many hotels offer this service, but I have also heard through the grapevine that Jelly and Ice Cream, Little Puffs and Angels are all English-speaking childcare providers that are highly regarded by parents – and enjoyed by the kids.
9. Shared transfer
To get to Alcúdia, you will need to fly from London into Palma de Mallorca (PMI) which just over 2 hours away. Returns can cost as little as £39! Travel from the airport is an often overlooked aspect which can be costly, so I recommend taking a shared Shuttle Direct transfer from the airport – this is an affordable and reliable way to reach your hotel and means you don’t have to queue for a cab. Child seats are usually available in private transfers – request them at the time of booking.
10. Self-Catering
One of the major expenses of going on a family trip is food. Instead of paying for meals in restaurants or cafes each day, consider checking into a self-catering apartment. Not only will you save a fortune, but it also gives you the luxury of eating in peace, choosing food the kids will like and having a hearty breakfast first thing each day. Many of the coastal resorts offer apartments with a kitchenette and living area, making it a home away from home which the whole family will appreciate.
About Shuttle Direct:
Using taxis or public transportation can be difficult, stressful and expensive. Instead, opt for a private or shared Shuttle Direct transfer to reach your destination in style. As one of the top airport transfer providers, we pride ourselves on our simple, affordable and reliable service.
Fill in the online booking form and leave the rest up to us.
