DEIA, MALLORCA – ULTIMATE GUIDE
Are you going to Deia in Mallorca, Spain and you need help planning your itinerary? You’ve come to the right place!
In this Guide, I have outlined everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip to Deia!
This includes must-see places, the best restaurants, and hotels to fit all budgets as well as some secret tips to make this trip unforgettable!
I am sure that if you follow this guide you will fall in love with Deia, just as I did. It is my favorite town in the whole of Mallorca!
So let’s not waste any more time and go straight into planning your perfect trip!
DEIA – BASIC FACTS
Mallorca seems to be on everybody’s bucket list. But, just why is it that everyone loves this place? Well, the small island boasts more than its share of jaw-dropping Mediterranean sea views, isolated beaches, incredible nature, delicious food, and enchanting towns and villages. And, let me break this for you, Mallorca’s villages don’t get prettier than Deia!
Deia is on the rugged northwestern coast of Mallorca, amidst the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Tramuntana mountains. Therefore, you can expect breathtaking sea views and landscapes almost everywhere you look.
However, Deia is much more than its sleepy appearance might have you believe. It has been an artistic hub for decades, attracting visitors as diverse as war poet Robert Graves, David Bowie, Kate Moss, Harry Styles – the list goes on. Moreover, it isn’t hard to see why Deia has this pull. The tiny village boasts world-class hotels and restaurants, as well as a small but stunning cove (cala).
So what are we waiting for? Let’s dive in and plan the perfect Deia itinerary for you!
GETTING THERE
Mallorca is easy to reach by plane from most parts of Europe. However, you can even arrive by boat thanks to regular crossings from Barcelona or Ibiza. The best way to reach Deia, on the northwestern coast, is by car. This takes just over 45 minutes. Furthermore, this is a scenic journey, taking you through the heart of the Tramuntana Mountains.
GETTING AROUND
Obviously, as Deia is secluded, deciding how best to get there and get around the area is crucial to a good trip. The main options are either renting a car or public transport.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Bus routes operate throughout Mallorca, including a regular, hour-long service between Palma and Deia. Clearly, taking the bus is by far the cheapest option. However, journeys will be slower, much more limited, and less reliable. Also, a bus journey will be tough with lots of luggage.
CAR
Therefore, a car is by far the better option. Furthermore, a smaller car would suit you best, as Deia has narrow streets and not much parking. Hire an automatic for an even smoother journey, as the northwest of Mallorca is very hilly. However, you’ll have to book your car early as rentals go quickly. This is especially true for automatic cars.
Renting a car will also give you the freedom to visit the nearby areas, those include some of my special tips at the end of this Guide.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
My absolute two favorite times to visit are either the first half of June or mid-September. That said avoid the end of July and at any cost August, it will be overpopulated, overpriced, and overbooked.
Read here my Month-By-Month Guide to visiting Mallorca for more info.
HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED?
Ideally, you could spend at least two nights in Deia if not more. This would allow you to cover some of the key points in this Guide, and truly soak in the atmosphere of this special village. If I could I would stay for a week and explore the rest of the island (or at least the West North of Mallorca) from here.
WHERE TO STAY?
Depending on your budget you could choose among the following hotel and apartment/airbnb options:
BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA
This is, without a doubt, the best place to stay in the whole of Mallorca. La Residencia is a very special place, but also very expensive. Therefore it should be reserved for very special occasions because it really doesn’t get much better. Engagements, special birthdays, anniversaries, and above all weddings can be celebrated here, in the most memorable ways.
It is genius at combining rustic beauty and traditional charm with luxury while offering an unbeatable mountain setting. Also, its restaurant El Olivo is one of my favorite restaurants in the world. If you cannot or do not want to stay here, make sure you at least go for a drink or dinner here, I promise it will be your highlight!
In case you would like to find out more about La Residencia, find here my Honest Review of Belmond La Residencia with all the details.
HOTEL CORAZON
One of the hottest recent hotel openings on Mallorca, Kate Bellm’s Corazon offers an extremely stylish, tranquil retreat just outside Deia. Here, you can stay in spacious, chic rooms with tasteful, 70s-style design to die for. Moreover, the hotel offers a range of wellness-centered activities, from yoga to sound healing to gardening. The hotel attracts a creative crowd looking for a relaxed stay. Finally, it offers a menu of local and seasonal food in delicious, healthy dishes.
You can also just come over for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
SA PEDRISSA
Sa Pedrissa is in the mountains a half-hour’s walk or 5 minutes drive from Deia. Therefore, it has a beautiful, secluded location in the Tramuntana mountains. Its accommodation ranges from simple, rustic rooms to large suites with private terraces and pools. Otherwise, there are large, quiet gardens and an outdoor pool with great views of the landscape and sea. Finally, the restaurant offers a good range of local dishes. This hotel is perfect for adult guests looking for a tranquil retreat.
HOTEL DES PUIG
This is the more affordable accommodation in Deia. Hotel des Puig is a small property offering simple, intimate rooms in the heart of the village. There are only a handful of light, comfortable rooms to choose from. However, these include a spacious penthouse on the top floor! Otherwise, the hotel offers a private, self-catering apartment nearby. All these are close to the hotel’s great amenities and pool. Also, the staff are lovely.
To sum it up, this is the place to book for a simple, relaxed stay in a central location.
WHERE TO EAT
Surprisingly, given how small the village is, there are many places to eat at! I divided those into categories to make it easier for you to choose where you want to go!
FINE-DINING
EL OLIVO, BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA
This really should be reserved for special occasions. This beautiful restaurant is located in a converted 16th-century olive press, overlooking the beautiful village of Deià. Imagine world-class Mediterranean cooking combined with an unbeatable mountain and sea setting. I really recommend booking a table as early as you have decided to visit Mallorca because it is really booked out. Try and ask for a table directly on the edge of the restaurant to get the best views.
ES RACO D’ES TEIX
The views and food do not get much more idyllic than at this family-owned restaurant. A big plus is the fact that their terrace faces directly the spectacular Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Come early and ask for a table as close to the view as possible so you get to experience the sun going down over a glass of white wine.
CASUAL DINING
CA’S PATRO MARCH
Let’s be honest. The food at Ca’s Patro March is definitely not the best! So why hundreds of guests are ready to queue for hours? It is the Instagram-famous view of the Cala Deia with its emerald colours. So if you are fine with average overpriced seafood and slightly stressed staff, the views will make up for it. Book your table online (and in advance) to avoid the queues and make sure to request the table in the first line facing directly the water.
NAMA DEIA
Head to Nama Deia for fresh Asian food and stunning views. This place is all over Instagram so you may have seen it before. Nama uses fresh local & organic ingredients sourced from the island. In short, the tasty food combined with the incredible views from their beautiful terrace definitely delivers a memorable (visual) dining experience.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY DINING
XELLINI
Xellini’s lush garden and 130-year-old building complete with stone walls and beams lend it a cozy, rustic feeling. Moreover, it offers delicious, traditional Spanish and Mallorcan small-plates. Therefore, it is the perfect place for a casual lunch or dinner in warm, inviting surroundings.
BISTRO RULLAN
Bistro Rullan offers traditional French and Spanish dishes at a reasonable price. Moreover, you’ll enjoy these plates in a restaurant that has the design of a charming, old-fashioned bistro. Finally, Bistro Rullan offers a sunny terrace with marvelous views of the Tramuntana Mountains.
WHAT TO DO
Deia may be small, but you will be overwhelmed by its beauty.
STROLL THROUGH THE VILLAGE
Everywhere you go in Deia, you will see pretty streets and buildings. Therefore, just strolling around the village is a top priority. Lastly, the steep walk up to Iglesia de San Juan Bautista is definitely worth it for the magnificent architecture and views.
CALA DEIA & CALA LLUCALCARI
Only thirty minutes from Deia by foot is the beautiful Cala Deia. Swim in the clear waters or soak up the sun here before lunch at Ca’s Patró March. This serves delicious fresh seafood and starred in an episode of The Night Manager.
The smaller Cala Llucalcari is about three miles away from Cala Deia. Therefore, it is slightly more secluded. Moreover, there are even natural mud baths here!
DINNER & DRINKS
Your trip to Deia wouldn’t be complete without having at least a drink at Belmond Hotel. It is an institution. Try either to have a drink at their bar or if you can dinner at El Olivo, I promise it will be unforgettable. Also, even though the food isn’t the best, lunch at Ca’s Patro March will also be a visual feast!
HIKING & CYCLING
All those mountains make for great hiking, too. There are a range of trails around the village to suit all abilities. Why not hike to the nearby restaurant of Sa Foradada to work up an appetite for their unforgettable paella? Also, Any cyclist will adore Deia for both its road and off-road opportunities. It offers incredible rides through breathtaking scenery.
DAY TRIPS TO NEARBY TOWNS
The beautiful, hilltop town of Valldemossa is only a short drive from Deia. Therefore, visiting its monastery and delightful cobbled streets makes for a perfect day trip.
Otherwise, Soller isn’t far from Deia either. Here, you can enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of a picturesque working harbour. Also, don’t miss a ride on the village’s historic, San Francisco-style tram!
DANCE
Sa Fonda is the place to drink and dance the night away in Deia. It is always packed with friendly partygoers from all over Mallorca and the world, and plays live music as well as club tracks into the night. It is a favourite of Deia’s celebrity visitors, including Kate Moss.
VISIT THE MUSEUMS
One of Deia’s most famous former residents is poet Robert Graves. Fortunately, his house remains beautifully preserved in the village as a museum. Visit to learn more about his incredible life and works.
Also, the famous American archaeologist William Henre Waldren founded the Deiá Archeological Museum in 1962. He then dedicated the rest of his life to filling this stunning building (a 17th-century mill) with incredible objects from Mallorca’s prehistory.
WATCH THE SUNSET
The former country house of an Austrian archduke, Son Marroig is now a fascinating museum. but that is not what it is famous for. You will ll probably find the views here even more enchanting. With its cliffs and sea panorama, this location offers some of the best sunsets on the island!
FINAL TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP TO DEIA
Deia may be small, but there is quite a lot to see and do! We hope that this guide will help you make the best out of your trip!
Please consider the following points to make the most of your stay:
- My absolute two favorite times to visit Deia are either the first half of June or mid-September. That said avoid the end of July and at any cost August, it will be overpopulated, overpriced, and overbooked.
- Try to spend at least 2 nights here to fully soak up the special atmosphere of Deia. I would actually recommend staying longer and using it as a base to explore North-West Mallorca.
- Make sure to rent a small car, you will need it to explore all the pretty spots and it will give you flexibility!
- As always, book your accommodation and restaurants in advance, otherwise, all the good places will be booked out and you will end up staying somewhere average and overpaying for it!
Enjoy,
Voyage Provocateur
In case you would like to read some other of my posts:
BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA – HOTEL REVIEW
LE GRAND CONTRÔLE – HOTEL REVIEW
BIARRITZ – 10 TOP THINGS TO DO
ITALY’S 10 BEST RESTAURANTS WITH A VIEW
