The Complete Travel Guide to Deia, Mallorca
A must-visit in the Balearic Island of Mallorca is the tiny stone town of Deia, a stunning sanctuary amid the Tramuntana Mountains. Find out everything you need to know to visit this Spanish gem in this guide.
Mallorca is one of Spain’s much-loved destinations and on the island, you’ll find many stunning white sand beaches, pretty towns, and jaw-dropping scenery. The small village of Deia is one of those places visitors can’t help falling in love with.
Tucked deep inside the Tramuntana mountains and surrounded by palms and olive trees, Deia, Mallorca feels like a slice of rural paradise tucked away from the rest of the world. Time stands still here and it’s a place to really slow down, be present, and enjoy each moment.
Deia is located in the center of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cultural Landscape of the Serra de Tramuntana. It’s a truly local and beautiful place.
For a small village, there are several amazing things to do in Deia, Mallorca, and experiences to be had from shopping to an afternoon at the beach.
This is your insider’s guide to Deia, Mallorca so keep reading to get the most out of your stay.
*This āDeia Mallorca travel guideā post contains affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top quality content for free.
Best Time to Visit Deia, Mallorca
The best time to visit Mallorca and Deia is during the spring and early autumn months. The months of May, early June, September, and early October are the best times to visit Mallorca.
During these shoulder season months, you’ll have the perfect balance of weather and crowds.
Having said that Mallorca really is a year-round destination and if you’re not planning to bathe, then Deia can really be visited all year round- just remember to pack a few more layers in winter.
Come mid-June to August, crowds descend on Mallorca and Deia.
During this time everything is fully booked, car rental is difficult and you’ll need to fight the crowds for space almost everywhere.
Getting There
I highly recommend renting a car to get to Deia and when getting around Mallorca. Renting a car will give you the most flexibility to get around and see more of the beauty Mallorca has to offer.
For Mallorca, we found the best car rental rates with Discover Cars. As we visited in October we snagged an exceptionally great deal and even got an upgrade. Check car rental availability and book with Discover Cars here.
A word of advice about driving in Deia. Not all Mallorca is mountainous but the roads in and around Deia are exceptionally mountainous and steep. The smaller your rental car the easier it will be for you to maneuver and park.
Also, most of the cheapest deals on smaller vehicles are on manual transmission cars. If you’re not comfortable driving a manual car up and down hills (like me) then make sure to book an automatic car well in advance- especially in summer.
If you don’t want to drive, then Deia is one of the best places to stay in Mallorca without a car. Bus routes also operate around Mallorca however services are limited so you’ll need to allocate more time for moving around. There is one line that connects DeiĆ with Palma de Mallorca and Soller.
Where to Stay in Deia, Mallorca
Deia has some of the best hotels in Mallorca so there’s no shortage of destination properties, luxury hotels, and beautiful guesthouses and villas. Here are the best hotels in Deia that you can’t miss.
Hotels in Deia, Mallorca
Belmond La Residencia Deia Mallorca – This stunning destination property is probably one of the most remarkable in Mallorca. Located amid the beautiful stone cottages of Deia and the splendid mountain views, this luxury hotel ticks all the boxes.
It boasts beautifully designed rooms and suites, a stunning pool area and terrace, and the most beautiful views in Deia.
Even if you don’t stay here you’ll want to come to Belmond’s cafe and restaurants for a spectacular meal. More on those below. Check rates and book here.
Hotel Des Puig Deia – The ideal spot for those looking for a truly Mallorca stay. Lovely traditional architecture and decor, gorgeous views of Deia, and a great location inside the village. Check rates and availability for your dates here.
Es Moli Hotel Deia– Located just outside Deia, this 4-star property is the option for those looking for a more modern stay. A stunning setting right in the middle of the mountains and hills. Gorgeous mid-century rooms. They also have a private rocky beach too you can spend hours on too. Check rates and availability here.
Sa Pedrissa Hotel Deia – A stunning, luxury finca in Deia with immaculate sea views. Grand rooms with comfortable mid-century and traditional furnishings and wooden beam ceilings. The decor here is the perfect mix of Mallorcan tradition and modern.
The sea views don’t get better than those from Sa Pedrissa’s rooms, garden, and pool area. Perfect for those that don’t mind being a little outside Deia. Check rates and availability here.Ā
Hotel Corazon – Newly opened, Hotel Corazon is Mallorca’s new ‘it’ hotel. Located between Deia and Soller, this stunning, rustic retreat is a feast on the design eyes and sensed. Check rates and book here.
Villas/Rentals in Deia
Towards the Horizon – A stunning, luxury villa in Deia with beautiful sea and mountain views and a private pool.
This lovely stone cottage with a blend of traditional architecture and modern amenities makes the ideal group stay. With 4 bedrooms, it sleeps up to 8 people. Check availability here.
Well, Well Villa– another gorgeous villa for 6, this lovely rental has beautiful views of Deia, a number of different terraces, a fully-equipped kitchen, and even a hot tub. It’s the perfect villa for a long summer stay. Check availability here.
Best Restaurants in Deia, Mallorca
It’s not easy to narrow down the best restaurants in Deia, Mallorca, but as the village is small I’ll try. It’s safe to say you won’t run out of eating options during your stay and as the food is so good here, I’m sure you won’t mind visiting a few of these spots twice.
Fine Dining
El Olivo– El Olivo is Belmond’s most outstanding restaurant and dinner here is one of the best meals you’ll have in Mallorca. You’ll dine outdoors, on their beautiful terrace with spectacular views, surrounded by a setting sun and candlelight.
Your meal at El Olivo will take you on a culinary journey through the Mediterranean with an outstandingly creative menu that’s also veggie and vegan-friendly.
Make sure to book a table, months in advance (especially in summer). Try to time your reservation for sunset for an even more magical experience. Find out more here.
Es RacĆ³ d’es Teix– Fantastic fine dining in DeiĆ with spectacular views and creative, award-winning Mediterreanean gastronomy.
Casual Dining
Ca’s Patro March Deia– Visiting Cala Deia is a must when in Deia. Cala Deia or Deia Beach is a stunning little cove from where you can take a dip. Overlooking it is Caās PatrĆ³ March, a fantastic little restaurant. Dine on beautifully grilled fish and fresh salads to the most stunning sea views in Mallorca.
Make sure to book in advance.
Cafe MirĆ³– Also located inside the Belmond Hotel, Cafe MirĆ³ is a lovely option for lunch or afternoon cocktails. Their menu has a wide range of Mallorca-inspired dishes, as well as fish and seafood.
The food here is fresh, and tasty if you don’t manage to get a reservation at El Olivo, it’s the next best thing.
CafĆØ Sa Font Fresca– A lovely cafe with outdoor seating, great views, and traditional decor. They serve many traditional Spanish and Mallorcan dishes. A great place for lunch, brunch or breakfast.
De Moniƶ Deia – A lovely little vegetarian cafe that also sells beautiful ceramics and souvenirs to take home. Highly recommended for a casual bite.
sa Vinya – gorgeous views, a sunny terrace, and lovely local dishes like grilled fish and paella.
Es RacĆ³ d’es Teix– Fantastic fine dining in DeiĆ with spectacular views and creative, award-winning Mediterreanean gastronomy.
Things to Do in Deia, Mallorca
Go for a Wander Around Town
The best way to really experience Deia is to go for a wander around town. The main road, the MA-10 runs straight through the center of the village and while this is the beating heart of Deia, don’t be hesitant to explore beyond the main street.
Take any of the side roads off the main street and they’ll take up uphill (or down) into the surrounding streets. You’ll see the stunning stone cottages, bougainvillea growing around them, perfectly manicured gardens, and epic viewpoints.
Make sure to head up to Sant Joan de DeiĆ , the local church with some splendid views from the top.
Have Dinner at El Olivo
There’s nothing quite like a romantic, slow dinner at El Olivo, Belmond La Residencia’s prime restaurant. Nothing can really match the food and experience here.
The setting is one out of a storybook. Tables are set out on a beautiful terrace overlooking the town of Deia. At sunset, golden light fills the space as you dig into an aperitif surrounded by candlelight.
The tasting menu here is creative and celebrates, local and natural ingredients. The food is very vegetable and fish heavy and they even offer vegetarian and vegan tasting menus.
El Olivo is one of the best dining experiences in Mallorca so make sure not to miss it.
Spend the Afternoon in Cala Deia
Beat the heat and spend an afternoon in the lovely Cala Deia. Downhill from Deia village, you’ll find the picturesque Cala DeiĆ or Deia beach. This rocky cove is the place to relax with a sea view and the place to go for a dip on a warm summer’s day.
You’ll be able to have lunch here too.
Apart from a couple of restaurants, there aren’t any stores here so if you want to bring some snacks to make a small picnic make sure to bring supplies from Deia.
To get to Cala Deia you can drive down the winding mountain road or walk. It is a bit of a hike which takes about 20- 30 minutes but it’s a good workout.
Note that it’s completely downhill from Deia and a solid uphill all the way back. The path down starts at the Deia Tennis Club.
Go Hiking
The Tramuntana mountains are what makes Mallorca an epic hiking destination and there are plenty of walks and hikes around DeiĆ . For those that prefer a few more active days in Mallorca the paths around DeiĆ will keep you busy for a couple of days.
The first and easiest hike is the path going down to Cala Deia. It’s a great opportunity to mix a short hike with a refreshing swim.
From the edge of DeiĆ , you can also hike to another stunning village, Valldemossa. Valldemossa is a lovely day trip from Deia in itself and you can easily combine it with a hike.
The hike will take a few hours to complete but refreshments in Valldemossa await.
Enjoy drinks and Sunset at Cafe MirĆ³
After a slow day exploring Deia, head to Cafe MirĆ³ at Belmond La Residencia for cocktails and a light bite. The cafe terrace is the perfect place to enjoy the last rays of sunshine and a refreshing cocktail to reflect on the day.
The cafe also serves some light bites you can enjoy while also savoring the views.
Have lunch at Caās PatrĆ³ March
Probably one of the best sea view lunch spots in Mallorca, make sure not to miss a slow lunch in Cala Deia. Caās PatrĆ³ March is a wonderful restaurant that has been built into the rocky cove of Cala Deia Mallorca.
You’ll be able to dine on fresh grilled fish and seafood dishes, seasonal salads, vegetables, and more in this divine little restaurant. The crystal clear sea views make a dining location you won’t forget in a while.
Top Tip: Make reservations in advance and try not to go when it might rain. The whole dining area is outside and they tend to close on bad weather days.
Go Shopping
Holidays in Deia Mallorca really aren’t complete without a bit of shopping. DeiĆ is known to be a bit of an artist and artisan hotspot so you might imagine the shopping to be great.
In Deia, you’ll find a number of irresistible boutiques. From interior design stores to ceramics and clothing, there’s nothing better to do on a slightly cooler day than to go shopping.
Some of the best stores in Deia that you can’t miss are Obsolete Deia, a lovely design store with a few gems, Ceramics by Joanna for lovely, Mallorca-inspired ceramics, and Gres Gallery for more fine art pieces.
Retreat at Mountain Wellness Mallorca
Mountain Wellness is a retreat space and wellness sanctuary located inside Villa Rullan in Deia. It’s the ideal space to take care of all your wellness and self-care needs when in Deia.
They hold group yoga classes in their studio each morning at 10 am and you can sign up via their website here.
They also offer a number of different treatments for you to indulge in during your stay. Massages, reflexology, facials, and beauty treatments are all available for you to take the best care of yourself.
Visit the Robert Graves Museum
In the north part of the village, you’ll find a small museum dedicated to the life of Robert Graves.
Robert Graves was an English novelist and poet who moved to DeiĆ in the 1930s and spent a large part of his life here. The museum is housed in his former home which has been converted to celebrate his life and work.
Even if you’re not familiar with his work, the museum is well worth a visit to find out more about traditional Mallorcan architecture, design, and of course the man himself. Make sure not to miss a wander through the beautiful garden.
Top Tips for Visiting Deia
ā Parking is tight in Deia but you’ll still want to rent a car to get around. For this reason, I suggest renting a small car and booking a hotel in Deia, Mallorca that includes parking. It will help you quite a bit.
ā Don’t just stay for the day! Deia is truly magical and it is a small place so most visitors stay for a few hours and leave. So, how many nights in Deia should you stay?
There is no magic number but to fully slow down and savor each place, I’d recommend at least two nights. This will allow you to experience Deia as well as Deia Beach properly.
Stay a few more nights to use Deia as a base to explore surrounding towns like Valldemossa and Soller.
Do you have any questions or comments about your stay in Deia? Let me know below, Iād love to hear from you.
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