Visit Deia
Deia sits on the coast in the north of Mallorca (Majorca) in the Balearic Islands. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Deia is on the north-west coast of Mallorca a half hour drive from Palma de Mallorca.
Explore Deia
Deia is an idyllic village on the island of Majorca. Its sits on the rocky coast overlooking the Mediterranean ocean. Behind it tower the Mountains of Tramuntana. Deia nestles amongst the groves of olives and oranges on the rocky hillside above the sea. It is a beautiful village in a stunning setting and can't be recommended enough.
Below the village a few kilometers away Deia has a cove where fishermen still go out at dawn for the day's catch.
The village itself is built of local stone and is topped by its church, from here the views are superb. Next to the church is a small cemetery and also just below the church are a couple of canons. Throughout the village open irrigation channels dating back to Moorish times can still be seen.
For a small village Deia has some very nice restaurants and bars and is a popular tourist village. There is also a lovely palace and garden to visit on the edge of the village, the Palace of San Marroig. This belonged to the Archduke Louis Salvador of Austria in the 19th century and he renovated the palace.
The palace is full of momentos and furniture of the Archduke and the gardens have pavilions, pagodas, caves and greenhouses as well as beautiful gardens. It is private but open for visits and has stunning views over the Mediterranean. A white marble rotunda in the gardens offers views over to the Na Foradada (Pierced rock) peninsula which is home to an 18 hole golf course.
The Deia International Music Festival takes place at the Palace of San Marroig every year in the form of a series of classical concerts between May and September.
Deia has attracted artists, writers and poets for many years. One of the first to settle here was Richard Graves who moved here after the war and stayed until his death in 1985. Graves used Deia as a setting for a number of his stories including 'Hercules my shipmate'.
Ca n’Alluny, the former house of Richard Graves is now a museum. It has been preserved just as it was when Graves lived there. The house and garden are open to visits. Graves is buried in the churchyard at Deia.
Deia is also very popular with musicians. More recently Deia provided the setting for Helen Walsh's best selling "The Lemon Grove'.
Richard Branson had a hotel here, 'La Residencia', and musicians from his Virgin record label have been frequent guests here. Richard Branson sold the hotel but it is still a 5 star luxury hotel with beautiful gardens and a stunning view. This is part of the luxury Belmond Hotel group.
The Belmond hotel is in the centre of the village and the beautiful hotel building and gardens add to the charm of Deia.
As well as its scenery and restaurants Deia is a good base for a walking holiday and there are lots of lovely walks in the area. Indeed the walk from Cala Deia (the cove at Deia) to the Port of Soller via Llucalcari is thought to be the loveliest walk in the whole of Europe!
Cyclists can find lots of mountain bike paths or for road bikers ride the same roads that 'Tour de France' participants use for training! The coves around Deia also offer great diving and snorkling.
The mountain scenery of the Serra de Tramuntana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and this northern part of Mallorca really is fabulous for a peaceful holiday.
Places to visit nearby
Valdemossa with its famous monastery is only 4km to the south-west of Deia and Soller with its lovely main square and winding lanes is another highlight of Mallorca.
Port-de-Soller is just 3km from Soller on the coast and sits on a stunning bay surrounded by mountains.
You can find more local travel ideas in the Balearic Islands guide.
Map of Deia and places to visit
Deia places to visit
Valldemossa
Valldemossa is a hill town with a monastery where George Sand and Frederic Chopin once stayed.
Valldemossa guide
Soller
Soller is one of Mallorca's nicest towns and the Port de Soller is set in a beautiful bay.
Soller guide
Port-de-Soller
Port-de-Soller is a lovely seaside town set on a stunning bay surrounded by mountains on the north coast of Mallorca.
Port-de-Soller guide
Fornalutx
Fornalutx is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages of Spain. It occupies an idyllic spot surrounded by mountains.
Fornalutx guide
Palma Cathedral
Palma Cathedral is a stunning 14th century Gothic cathedral in Palma-de-Mallorca. It occupies a dramatic position above the Parc de la Mar and the seafront.
Palma Cathedral guide
Palma-de-Mallorca
Palma is a beautiful city with a Moorish past. Visit the Cathedral, the Palau de l'Aludaina, the Castell de Bellver, Joan Miro's studio and much more.
Palma-de-Mallorca guide...or see all our recommended places to visit in Balearic Islands