The water is turquoise, but not just your normal shade of teal. It even matches the often unbelievable guidebook cover photo of Mallorca’s waters. I have one of those moments where I realize that sometimes what you see is truly what you get. At least it is in northeastern Mallorca.

After a bus ride from Palma traveling just 54 kilometers, you too can believe what you are seeing in and around Alcúdia, one of the Balearic Island’s most visually attractive destinations. The area affords travelers with over 30 kilometers of coastline with sandy beaches, cliffs, coves and that surreal water. However, don’t let this area’s guidebook image blind you from the delights of the historic old town of Alcúdia. It might be shades of sandstone rather than turquoise, but Alcúdia could make the guidebook cover shot too.

Pass Through The Porta de Mallorca: Imposing and standing guard on Alcúdia’s old town, you must arrive to the city center in style. The Porta de Mallorca is not only a national monument, but it looks positively medieval. The gate once connected the city with the Ciutat de Mallorca highway. Once you pass under the arch unscathed from boiling oil or arrows as invaders no doubt faced, you can stroll Carrer Major. The thoroughfare is lined in shops and cafes.

Scale Alcúdia’s Medieval Wall: What makes Alcúdia so intriguing might be its built in, time-tested medieval wall. Designed by King James II, the walls were intended to protect the town in the 14^th century. Alcúdia’s defense system still impresses with its 26 towers along a 1.5 kilometers perimeter. The Medieval Wall of Alcúdia was even declared a Historical and Artistic Monument.

Conquer the Church of Saint Jaume and the Parish Museum: The Church of Saint Jaume appears as though you must conquer it to understand it. Standing right next to the city walls, the structure was once a fortress forming part of that defense system. By 1870 however, it had long fell into disrepair. It was torn down and blessed with a Neo-Gothic style. The main appeal is the church’s façade with its sculpture of Saint Jaume, the large yet delicate rose window and the Alcúdia coat of arms. The church is also home to the Parish Museum with a collection of religious art.

Visit the Roman City of Polléntia: Just south of Alcúdia on the way to its port you will find the Roman city of Polléntia. Covering a space of around 16 hectares, the ancient site invites visitors to step back into the past of the area. Polléntia contains several different excavations including the Houses of Portella. One of the most notable is the Els Do Tresors House with its preserved floor plan around an atrium. With the layout of the streets and the Roman wall from the third century A.D. in view, you can step a little bit further into Alcúdia’s story. Polléntia is also home to the forum and the Roman theater from the first century A.D.

Hit the seas on a boat from Port d’Alcúdia: While you could spend a great deal of time exploring just Alcúdia, you shouldn’t neglect the Port d’Alcudia. From here, you can head on a variety of nautical excursions around the Badia d’Alcúdia and the Badia de Pollencia. Many can take you to beaches you can only reach by boat, inviting riders to stop for a swim. The seas can be choppy at times, so if you need to find dry land and a good meal, pause at the port for some fresh fish. Restaurant Miramar is one of the oldest establishments in the port specializing in seafood since 1871. Then again, you could do as I did, forever snapping shots of the waters in and around Port d’Alcudia to document that it isn’t the work of Photoshop at all.

Have you been to Alcúdia?

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