Estany des Ponts (Lago Esperanza)

Estany des Ponts (Lago Esperanza) is a lake on the edge of Platja d'Alcúdia, on Mallorca's north coast — a surviving fragment of the once-extensive wetland complex of Alcúdia bay, linked to the neighbouring s'Albufera nature park.

How to get there?

The lake sits roughly 3 km from Alcúdia town centre, between Platja de Muro to the south and the Xara district to the north, right beside the beach strip of Port d'Alcúdia. Car or bike are the easiest ways in — the area forms part of northern Mallorca's walking and cycling network, and the loop around the lake shows up as a stop or starting point on routes documented on Komoot and Wikiloc. From the tourist hubs of Port d'Alcúdia, it's only a short drive away.

What will you see?

Estany des Ponts, better known locally as Lago Esperanza ("Lake of Hope"), spent decades as one of the most degraded lakes on the island. Development began here in the 1970s but was never completed, leaving the plot ownerless and, for years, an illegal dumping ground for rubble. Since 2023 the site has been under a restoration programme called "RestaurAlcúdia," funded with three million euros through Spain's Biodiversity Foundation (Ministry for Ecological Transition) and EU Next Generation funds. The project aims to rebuild the ecological corridor connecting the Maristany and s'Estany des Ponts wetlands.

A footpath runs around the lake's perimeter: the eastern shore is mostly paved and easy walking, while the western shore stays more natural — earthen ground, in places closer to cross-country terrain. That mix makes the lake a spot for both quiet wildlife watching and casual walking or cycling.

The biggest change on the horizon is the lake's conversion into an international canoeing and rowing venue. The planned regatta course will include nine competition lanes, judges' towers, pontoons and a mobile platform to support training and events. Construction of this sporting infrastructure is confirmed to begin in 2026, following years of debate among local authorities over the project.

When to visit?

Spring and autumn bring the best conditions for walking the lakeside path and watching waterbirds, since temperatures are milder than at the height of summer. In summer the area is mostly visited alongside time on the neighbouring beaches of Port d'Alcúdia and Platja d'Alcúdia, while outside the tourist season the lake keeps a quieter, more natural character — especially early in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Estany des Ponts different from the nearby Albufera? S'Albufera is a large, official nature park with well-developed visitor infrastructure, while Estany des Ponts is a smaller, formerly neglected piece of the same original Alcúdia bay wetland system, now undergoing restoration.

Can you swim there? No — the lake isn't set up for swimming. It's a walking and nature spot, and eventually a sporting one too (canoeing, rowing), rather than a beach.

Does the ongoing restoration make it hard to visit? Work under the RestaurAlcúdia programme mainly involves replanting vegetation and rebuilding the ecological corridor; the walking path around the lake stays open to visitors.

How far is it from the beach? The lake sits directly next to the beach strip of Port d'Alcúdia and Platja d'Alcúdia, so it's only a few minutes' walk to the water.