Deià, in Catalan and as it is commonly known, or Deyá, is a town in the northwest of Mallorca located in the heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana.
Following the line of the municipalities located in the Tramuntana mountain range of Mallorca, where the traditional stone-built fincas stand out, Deià is definitely one of the most charming villages in Mallorca.
Deià, at 194 metres above sea level, borders the municipalities of Valldemossa, Sóller and Bunyola, and covers 5 kilometres of coastline including stunning locations such as Sa Foradada, Cala Deià and Cala Llucalcari. The beach of Cala Deià is one of the most popular in the area and has a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea. You can also visit other nearby beaches such as Cala Tuent and Cala Llamp.
This municipality only has a census of 624 inhabitants, many of whom are foreigners who have fallen in love with this beautiful charming village in Mallorca.
Weather in Deià today: weekly forecast
DeiàHistory of Deià
Deià stands on a hill in the middle of a valley and the occupation of this village dates back to Muslim times between the 10th and 13th centuries, when they developed very successful agricultural systems through the construction of terraces. Agricultural systems that extend to other villages in the Tramuntana mountain range, such as Banyalbufar and Estellenchs.
After the Muslims were defeated by the Christians, Deià became part of Valldemossa until it gained its independence in the 16th century.
Robert Graves, British poet and novelist, took up residence here intermittently because of the Civil War and used Deià as the inspiration for many of his novels, and Deià began to be a place of inspiration for artists, a fact that still endures to this day.
Deià retains this peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, which is why it is a tourist and residential destination for celebrities attracted by its charm.
How to get to Deià
You can get to Deià by car, by public transport or by bicycle, if you like sport and are fit.
The option of car is undoubtedly the fastest since the winding roads of the Sierra de Tramuntana, plus the oscillating bus passing rate which in winter can reach an average waiting time of 45′ plus the 45′ minutes that the journey takes, can waste a lot of time on your holidays and for a long time. trip to Mallorca You have a lot to see!
🚗 Have you come to Mallorca and don’t have a car? We recommend that you hire a car to visit all the corners of Mallorca at your own pace. We provide you with a car hire price comparator where you can find the vehicle that best suits your needs and budget.
Getting to Deià by car
If you are coming from Palma, take the Ma-1110 to Valldemossa and from there the Ma-10, bordering the coast through the mountains of the Sierra de Tramuntana and passing such emblematic places as Sa Foradada, until you reach Deià.
On entering the village you can park your car in the municipal car park on Carrer Teix. Walk along the small path built beside the road following the course of the Torrent des Raco and enjoy the orange groves and a beautiful panoramic view where you can take the typical film photo of Deià.
The other possible way to get to Deyá is from Sóller. From the village itself, head towards the Port of Sóller and keep an eye out for a turn-off that you will see on your left, the Ma-10 road that will take you to Deià.
Getting to Deià by bus
Maybe you are thinking of enjoying Mallorca in a more leisurely and quiet way because you have enough time or you simply want to enjoy the beautiful scenery that the island has to offer. If so, then we do recommend that you use public transport.
From the Parque de las Estaciones in Palma, take the EMT bus number 19 (blue buses), get off at the Can Moreno service station (petrol station) and transfer to the TIB bus number 203 (red and yellow buses) which will take you to the village itself.
Getting to Deià by bicycle
If sport is your thing, you have come to enjoy cycling in Mallorca and you are physically fit, cycling to Deià can be an amazing experience, contemplating the beauty of this route at a different speed. You’ll be able to see many parts of the city that you might miss by car or public transport.
What to see in Deià
It is clear that Deià is a town of artists, which is why many of them chose Deià as a place of beauty and inspiration.
And as such, it has places where the art created in this town is preserved, such as the Archaeological Museum, located in Calle Teix on an old 17th century mill. In this museum you can find remains of the Myotragus Balearicus, a goat endemic to Mallorca that became extinct more than 5,000 years ago.
If you like archaeology and want to see more archaeological remains of the Myotragus Balearicus and other elements that make up the history of Mallorca, we suggest you visit the Campanet Caves.
Another recommended visit is to the museum dedicated to the painter Norman Yanikum.
You can also visit the cemetery of Deià. First you will have to start the ascent if you are in the lower area to the highest part of the village, and a few metres before you arrive you will find the parish church of Sant Joan Baptista, patron saint of the village, which dates from the 17th century. You can visit the Parish Museum inside.
In front of the façade of the parish church you can see a viewpoint with breathtaking views of the Deyá valley and two canyons that point to the Sierra de Tramuntana.
The cemetery of Deià is a beautiful place where you can breathe an atmosphere of peace and calm typical of these places and which has impressive 360º views of the whole village of Deià and where you will also be able to see the sea. If you go to Deià you have to come here, it’s worth it!
Around Deià
In short, Deià is a beautiful and peaceful place that offers many interesting things to see and do. You can enjoy its natural beauty, visit places related to the artistic history of the town and enjoy a pleasant walk along its paths.
If your intention is to go hiking in Mallorca and you visit Deià in the winter months, from October to April, and as this is an area with a fairly high rainfall rate, you will be able to enjoy torrents and waterfalls such as Torrent des Racó.
Halfway along the Archduke Luis Salvador road, the main road that crosses the village whether you are coming from Sóller or Valldemossa, is the Torrent des Racó. Next to it begins a stone path, the Camino des Racó, which ascends next to the stream. From here you can reach one of the highest parts of the village where you will have an impressive and privileged panoramic view of Deià.
The most famous hiking routes in the area are:
- Ascent of Puig del Teix, which at 1064m is the highest mountain in the municipality of Deià.
- The classic Deià-Sóller route, an old communication route between these two towns in the Tramuntana mountain range.
- Route Deià-Valldemossa. These last two routes form part of the GR-221, or Sa Travessa, the official route that crosses the Tramuntana mountain range lengthwise from the villages of Andratx to Pollença.
Robert Graves’ house
Robert Graves, also known as Robert von Ranke Graves, was a British writer and poet who lived from 1895 to 1985. Graves is known for his literary works, including the historical novel “I, Claudius” and the poem “King Jesus”.
Robert Graves had a house called Canellun, situated at the exit of the village in the direction of Sóller, a 5′ walk away. This is another of the things worth seeing in Deià.
This house was his home for most of his life. The house, situated on a hill overlooking the sea, was surrounded by gardens and had a large library and a swimming pool. Robert Graves lived in Canellun with his family and during his years in Deià, and the house became a meeting place for artists and writers from all over the world.
After Robert Graves’ death in 1985, the house passed to his widow, Beryl Graves, and then to his daughter Lucinda Graves. The house is now owned by the Robert Graves Foundation and is used as a cultural and research centre. The Foundation also organises guided tours of the house and gardens, allowing visitors to learn more about Robert Graves‘ life and work in Deià.
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday:
- April to October: 9:30h – 16:30h
- November to March: 9h – 16h
Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: CLOSED
Ticket price:
- General: 7€.
- Pensioners and students: 5€
- Accompanied children under 12 and groups: 3,50€.
Son Marroig
Son Marroig is a beautiful Mallorcan possessió (a possessió is what we call a finca or estate in Mallorca) located halfway between Deià and Valldemossa, and one of the most beautiful fincas to get married in Mallorca.
The first element that was built in what is now Son Marroig was the watchtower that still survives today. It was created to control the incursions of corsairs into Mallorca, who took advantage of the shelter offered by the small bay formed by Sa Foradada to disembark.
This defensive function meant that the rest of the building, which evolved over the years, acquired a strong fortified character.
History of Son Marroig
This possessió has had several owners and its name has evolved depending on them. It began as Foradada dels Masroig until 1877, when, after passing through several owners, it was acquired by the Archduke Luis Salvador.
The Son Marroig Museum is a private institution that began in 1922 with the idea of commemorating and preserving the figure of the Archduke and offers guided tours of this property.
On this guided tour you will be able to get a deeper insight into the history of Son Marroig with stories and tales of the place, of which one stands out where the Archduke Luís Salvador talks about the defensive tower as the place where the last woman in the area was captured by pirates.
For classical music lovers, the Deià International Festival is held here every year, with concerts from April to October.
The Son Marroig estate is listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest in the category of Historic Site.
Sa Foradada
Sa Foradada is one of the most mythical and mystical spots on the island and is of course one of our Top 10 must-see places in Mallorca.
It is a small peninsula or spit of land that has a very famous distinctive feature: a hole at the end of this spit of land.
Forat is a Mallorcan word that means “hole”, a hole that, according to legend, has its origin in a cannon shot fired by corsairs in one of their fights with Mallorcans. Hence the name Sa Foradada, the pierced one (to translate it somehow into Spanish).
It is possible to walk to the end of this peninsula, but the passage is cut off before reaching the forat for obvious security reasons, as it is not an area with safe pedestrian access for the public. Even so, it is an excursion well worth the effort.
Just at this final part where the passage is cut off you will find a bar that is mainly fed by the boats that moor and take a break from the rough waters of this part of the island, taking advantage of the calm waters that this small bay provides.
If you decide rent a boat in Mallorca to visit the coves and beaches of Mallorca and anchor in the coastal area of the Tramuntana mountain range, you can enjoy exclusive views of coves such as Cala Deià, Port de Valldemossa, Cala Llucalcari; you can visit Sóller entering from the sea and the marvellous Cala Tuent.
Sa Foradada viewpoint
The photo below shows you the views from the Sa Foradada viewpoint, a famous meeting point for tourists and locals who want to bid farewell to the day before turning in for the night.
The Sa Foradada viewpoint is a romantic place where you will be able to see one of the best sunsets on the island and you will be able to have, in a bar, the drink of your choice in company, or in solitude, enjoying the immensity of the sea at your feet.
Miramar Monastery
The Miramar Monastery is an old Benedictine abbey located in the town of Valldemossa, but as it is geographically closer to Deyá, we have decided to include it in this article.
The Monastery of Miramar was founded by King James II of Mallorca in 1399, and during the 15th and 16th centuries it was an important cultural and religious centre in the region. In the 18th century, the monastery was abandoned and fell into ruins, but was restored in the 19th century.
Today, the Miramar Monastery is a popular tourist attraction and is known for its architecture and history. You can visit its gardens, cloisters and exhibition rooms, which include a presentation of the history of the monastery and monastic life. You can also visit the monastery church, which has interesting Baroque decoration and houses a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
If you are interested in the history and culture of Mallorca, the Miramar Monastery is a place you should definitely visit during your stay on the island.
Where to eat in Deià
The main street of the village, via Archiduque Luís Salvador, is home to the main shops and bars of the village.
There are more informal restaurants such as Café Sa Font Fresca, but if you want to have a beer and listen to good music with concerts that are sometimes offered, Sa Fonda Deià stands out among them, a bar that preserves the bohemian atmosphere typical of the village of Deià.
In the summer they have a lot of great parties there and they have one that you will love which is the “Sa Fonda Fest”. This festival is not held in the village of Deià due to the large number of people who attend it, so it has been moved to the Mallorca Festival in Palmanova. If you are in summer you should not miss it.
This wide range of concerts offered by Sa Fonda Deià can be consulted in Youthing, the events magazine par excellence in Mallorca. Everything you want to know about where to listen to music in Mallorca, theatre, classical music, talks, art and exhibitions can be found here.
If you are looking for more formal and sophisticated restaurants, there is also an interesting offer such as Racó des Teix with a tasting menu and views of the Tramuntana mountain range, Ca Na Marca, Restaurante Sa Vinya and Trattoria italiana among others.
Where to sleep in Deià
If you are planning a trip to Deià, there are many accommodation options available in and around the village. You can find a variety of hotels, rural houses, flats, villas and hostels that offer a comfortable and pleasant place to sleep.
Waking up in such a wonderful environment with colossal mountains and the Mediterranean Sea is priceless, as well as being a very good option if you are doing or want to start a hiking route as you will be in the heart of the Tramuntana.
If you are looking for an accommodation option with a privileged location and a breathtaking view, you can consider staying in one of the luxury hotels located in the hills of Deià with sea views such as:
- Belmond Hotel, La Residencia
- Mallorca Villa 1009
- Mallorca Villa 1017
- Sa Pedrissa
- Villa Carmín
- Hotel Es Moli
If you prefer a more economical option, you can find hostels and rural houses at more affordable prices in the centre of the village or in the surrounding area:
In any case, it is advisable to book your accommodation in advance, especially if you plan to travel to Deià in the high season, as it can be difficult to find a last minute place available.
Also, be sure to research the accommodation options available and compare prices and reviews from other guests to find the alternative that best suits your needs and preferences.
You can’t tell us that this village hasn’t enchanted you and that you won’t visit it on your next visit to Mallorca, can you? Tell us about your experience so that other users know about your own experience, or simply let us know any questions you may have. We read you!
