Day trip to Alcanada, Alcudia

There’s no large town or shopping area here being mostly a residential town the amenities amount to a few eateries, a hotel, a Spar and souvenir shop, but with beautiful views and long empty stretch of beach, it’s got everything you need for a day away from the busy towns.

You’re best off making your own way to Alcanada, there are buses – the number 356 runs from Alcudia and will only cost you €1.55 single, but the service is few and far between only 4 trips per day and the last bus back is at 18.45. If you make your own way it’s a five minute drive, 30 minute easy walk or take a bike. Easy to find you just head along the waterfront of Port D’Alcudia until you reach the end, left to the main road, over the small roundabout, follow the sign for Alcanada and then it’s a straight road from there.

Don’t be put off along the way be the uninspiring scenery, there’s somewhat of a no-man’s land between the Port and the suburb which is in need of a revamp, but just as you begin to think you’re headed the wrong way you’ll turn a corner and find yourself in a better place. The road into the town is full of stunning properties with cascading flower gardens and epic sea views, in between the houses you’ll see stone stairways leading down to the waters edge.

The main draw to the area is the award winning Club de Golf Alcanada which is home to a renowned golf academy as well as club house and restaurant offering Spanish and International cuisine set in the club’s beautiful grounds with view out over the course and coastline.

If you’re not a golfer you’ve little to do but relax on the beach or sample one or all of the local eateries. You’ve a fair choice of places for such a little town, there’s Es Faro D’Aucanada attached to the apartment complex of the same name, which calls itself a snack bar but has a full menu offering pub lunch fare and which opens again for dinner. Cheap and cheerful Bar Playa, ‘The beach bar’ serving lunch on its own patch of private beach with great view and extensive cocktail menu. Restaurant 35 on the way into town, lacking the sea front locations of the others but who’s reviews rave about the personal service received from the two owners and repeatedly mention how welcome children are made to feel. Or if you fancy something a bit special head to luxurious La Terraza for its sublime location and seafood orientated menu.

If café dwelling’s not for you and you’re all about the beach there’s a well stocked Spar offering ‘hot bread and cold drinks’ if you fancy picnicking, and it has all you’re beach day necessities from ice creams to inflatables. The best patch of beach is next to Bar Playa as it’s the only spot of proper sandy beach in the area but its not large and will fill up fast in peak season. If you’re looking for some space to call your own, walk out of town towards the lighthouse and pick your spot accordingly. The beach is not the prettiest in Mallorca that’s for sure there’s no sand to speak of, being pebbly instead and rather swamped by the Poseidon grass which grows so profusely there, but there is plenty of regular grass to pitch your camp on and lots of trees if you have any shade dwellers in your party, a few steps out into the clear turquoise sea and you’re free of pebbles and grass and onto the soft white sand which is lacking at the shore, but the best part of this beach is the lack of crowds.

If you love the place and want to make it your base camp you’ve a choice of accommodations the main one being the large 4 Star HSM hotel President in the centre of town, or the Ona Aucanda Club which offers a hotel or holiday apartments as well as restaurant and spa. Then there are holiday apartments or many a private villa available to rent.

Head to Alcanada if you’re a golf nut, fancy a mellow day out of the town centres, love beautiful scenery and don’t mind sunbathing on grass, avoid it if you need shops and distractions or white sandy beaches.