Alcudia

Alcudia, in the north of Majorca, in the Balearic Islands, combines a fortified old town with an extensive coastal frontage. Alcudia beach, a broad stretch of fine sand bordering shallow waters, is one of the town's main draws, running for several kilometres along the bay and providing an ideal setting for swimming and watersports. The old town, encircled by well-preserved medieval walls, is best explored on foot through its cobbled lanes, squares and the Sant Jaume church. Nearby lie the remains of Pollentia, an ancient Roman settlement founded in the 1st century BC, where a theatre and other ruins can still be seen. A traditional market, held on certain days each week in the town centre, adds to the cultural offering. The S'Albufera nature reserve, a protected wetland, attracts birdwatchers thanks to its variety of migratory species. The Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers, makes the area particularly popular with visitors between May and October.