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One of the highlights of Mallorca and a must-see for any visitor holidaying on the Spanish island is the town of Alcudia and the surrounding area. It is not hard to see why the area is such a popular destination as it not only has one of the best beaches in the Mediterranean, but also boasts a long history and fine architecture with both Roman and Moorish influences. The town was established during the Pretalayotic period between 2000 and 1300 BC and saw its early settlers originally inhabit caves. You can still see some of these around Alcudia today. It was conquered by the Romans in 903 AD, resulting in an upheaval in its culture and economy. However, it began to truly flower when Muslims settled on the island in 903 AD until Jaume I conquered Mallorca in 1229. During this time, poets, artists, philosophers and other figures flocked to Medina Mayurqa. Growth was also seen in the local agricultural economy, which was furthered after 1229 when winemaking and grape-growing proved lucrative and fishing provided a vital income for the town. While the period between the 15th and 19th centuries was somewhat unsettled for Alcudia, it began to grow again during the 20th century, shedding its old rural community status and turning into a thriving tourist economy. Both the old town of Alcudia and the surrounding areas, including the port and marina, are worth visiting. The old town is easy to spot as it is surrounded by an ancient medieval fort wall that boasts some eye-catching city gates, of which there were originally three. Walls and windows from the Renaissance period can also be seen around the old town, together with 16th century bastions and other examples of centuries-old architecture. It is a beautiful place to visit with its narrow streets and hidden alleyways. The majority of the town is pedestrianised and it has a number of squares that are filled with cafes and restaurants - perfect to relax with a drink or bite to eat and watch the world go by. Twice a week on Sundays and Thursdays the old town holds a market - a great chance to catch a glimpse of Mallorcan culture. Visitors will be able to sample local produce at the markets, pick up some souvenirs, a few gifts for family and friends and admire Mallorcan goods. It is a lovely place to visit and makes a good change from sunbathing. Some highlights include the famous church of St Jaume, a small Roman theatre and outside the town's walls there can also be found the remains of a Roman town. If you are after a sun holiday then you won't be disappointed by Alcudia as it boasts a six-mile-long beach and one of the largest holiday resorts in Europe, the Hotetur Bellevue. This is a great spot for families as there is plenty of entertainment for kids, ranging from banana boats to tubes and pedalos. If you are after a bit of quiet then travel along the beach to the south where it becomes more relaxed with a number of secluded coves and inlets to be found, as well as more beautiful beaches and some spectacular cliffs. Other sights in the area include the bull ring north of Alcudia and the Port d'Alcudia. From here visitors can hop onto a boat and explore the island's coastline or go further afield and visit Barcelona or Minorca. Nature lovers will also want to check out the flora and fauna that live in and around Alcudia - some of the main areas for these include La Victoria and la Punta de Manresa, S'Albufereta, and Puig de San Marti and Son Fe. Protected species in the region include the red-crested pochard, the yellow wagtail, the common sandpiper and the European pond terrapin. Some of the indigenous trees you can see on Mallorca consist of the horn oak, Aleppo pine, enebro, wild olive, Tamarisk, carob and Mediterranean fan palm trees. And if you choose to go snorkelling or diving in the crystal clear waters around Alcudia and elsewhere in Mallorca, you will find fascinating underwater wildlife like sea anemones, yellow sponge and learned rockfish. If you are looking for villas in Mallorca look no further than Mallorca Farmhouses for accommodation where you can find the finest farmhouses in Mallorca, apartments, and hotels; and a fantastic choice of villas perfect for all Mallorca holidays.
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