Deià
An ochre-coloured village on the slopes of the Teix, long associated with writers and artists and now one of Mallorca's more expensive places to stay. Robert Graves is buried beside the hilltop church.
Deià
Deià in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A short visit
- Best for
- Village walks, literary history and coastal scenery
- Best months
- March–May, September–November
- Time to allow
- Around an hour for the village, half a day with the cove, or longer for a walk towards Sóller
- Without a car
- Hire car needed
- Parking
- Very limited. Use signed parking and check current vehicle restrictions on the approach to the cove.
- Highlight
- The church hill and Robert Graves's grave
- Keep in mind
- A beach in the village centre
- Access
- Hilly streets; the walk to the cove descends, with a climb back
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
From below, the layers of houses and terraces are easy to see.
The cove is small, so space is limited in the main season.
Coloured plaster and green shutters among the stone buildings.
Drive from the airport
45 minutes
32 km
Bus connections
TIB route 203 links Palma and Port de Sóller via Deià
Region
Serra de Tramuntana
Nearest beach
Port de Valldemossa
5 km
Elevation
200 m
above sea level
Markets
Wednesday
Season guide for Deià
November Worth a visit
Very quiet Some places closed
Worth visiting in March, April, May, September, October and November. Less suitable in July, August and December. Mostly closed in January, February and December.
Location
Location of Deià
- Region
- Serra de Tramuntana
- Population
- 640
- Elevation
- 200 m above sea level
- Airport
- 32 km , around 45 minutes
- Hire car
- needed
- Worth visiting for
- a brief stop
- Coordinates
- 39.7500,2.6331
Robert Graves
The English poet and novelist first came to Deià in 1929, encouraged by Gertrude Stein. He left during the Spanish Civil War, later returned and lived here until his death in 1985.
His house, Ca n’Alluny, on the Sóller side of the village, is now a museum. I like the sense of everyday life that remains in a writer’s home: it can feel as though its owner has only just stepped outside.
His grave is in the cemetery beside Sant Joan Baptista, on the hill above the village.
Walking towards Sóller
Walking routes connect Deià with the Sóller area through olive groves, terraces and dry-stone landscapes. Allow several hours, depending on your chosen route and destination.
The GR 221 and coastal paths are not interchangeable. Use a current walking map to choose the route you intend to follow, check its condition and arrange your return journey.
Spring and autumn are more comfortable than high summer, when exposed sections can be very hot.
Cala de Deià
Pebbles, clear water, rocky slopes and places to eat beside the shore make this a lovely small cove. It is also popular, so expect crowds in season rather than an empty bay.
Allow around twenty-five minutes to walk down and longer to climb back. October can be a particularly pleasant time to visit, depending on sea conditions.
Photographs
Deià in Mallorca
Practical details
- Parking
- Very limited. Use signed parking and check current vehicle restrictions on the approach to the cove.
- Public transport
- TIB route 203 stops on the main road; check current times
- Time to allow
- Around an hour for the village, half a day with the cove, or longer for a walk towards Sóller
- Good to know
- Allow roughly twenty-five minutes downhill to Cala de Deià and around forty minutes back uphill, depending on pace and starting point.
- Bus
- TIB route 203 links Palma and Port de Sóller via Deià; check the current timetable
- Coordinates
- 39.7500,2.6331 Google Maps Apple Maps
Dates that change the town
When a race comes to town
Mallorca 312 Road cycling · 25 April 2026
Road closures begin in the morning. The affected roads and reopening times follow the organiser’s traffic plan. Allow extra time for transfers and day trips.
The season guide describes whole months. A race weekend can transform a normally quiet town for a couple of days. Find the dates in our guide to Sporting events.
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
Archduke Ludwig Salvator's country estate above the west coast, with a white marble pavilion on the edge — the …
Ramon Llull founded a school for Eastern languages here in 1276. Six hundred years later, Archduke Ludwig Salvator …
At the foot of the Sóller pass, this garden has irrigation rooted in Moorish times. Palm groves, a pergola with …
A country estate near Bunyola, transformed by an 18th-century cardinal into an Italian-style villa. A terraced …
A historic country estate near Esporles, with a manor house and gardens. Public access hasn’t been confirmed, so …
A round 16th-century watchtower on an isolated rocky outcrop above the west coast. Climb the stone steps to the …
Mallorca’s largest reservoir sits in the heart of the Tramuntana beside the MA-10. Swimming is forbidden, there’s …
Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
Where to swim nearby
Beaches and swimming nearby
A tiny fishing settlement beneath the cliffs, reached by six kilometres of tight hairpin bends. A few stone houses …
An almost circular, sheltered bay with a sandy beach, two lighthouses and a tram that has run down from Sóller …
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Deià
Who was Robert Graves?
An English poet and novelist who first came to Deià in 1929. After leaving during the Spanish Civil War, he returned and lived here until his death in 1985. His house, Ca n'Alluny, is now a museum, and his grave is in the cemetery beside the church.
How do I get to Cala de Deià?
Allow around twenty-five minutes downhill on foot and roughly forty minutes back up. Check current road and parking restrictions if driving. The small cove has pebbles, clear water and places to eat beside the shore.
How long is the walk towards Sóller?
Allow several hours, depending on the precise route and destination. Waymarked inland paths through olive terraces and coastal paths are different routes, so choose one on a current walking map and plan the return. Exposed sections are hot in summer.
Why is Deià expensive?
Its scenic setting and long association with artists and writers have made it a sought-after place to live and stay. Accommodation and restaurant prices often reflect that demand.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Deià?
Recommended months: March, April, May, September, October, November. Access and opening are limited in January, February, December. See the visiting advice on this page. The season begins gradually. Mild days are good for walking.
Is Deià worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually busy. Cala de Deià is small and can be very crowded in July. August: another month may suit you better. Usually very crowded.
How far is Deià from Palma airport?
About 32 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 45 minutes by car.
Do I need a hire car for Deià?
A car is needed TIB route 203 links Palma and Port de Sóller via Deià; check the current timetable
Where can I park in Deià?
Very limited. Use signed parking and check current vehicle restrictions on the approach to the cove.
Deià features in our Mallorca highlights
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.