Deià is a picturesque municipality and a small coastal village in the Serra de Tramuntana, which forms the northern ridge of the Spanish island of Mallorca. It is located about 16 kilometers north of Valldemossa and is known for its literary and musical inhabitants such as English poet, novelist and scientist Robert Graves. The poet was one of the first foreigners to settle in the village, where he founded the Seizin Press publishing house with Laura Riding. Graves returned after the war and lived in Deià until his death. He used the town as inspiration for many of his stories, including the historical novel Hercules my Shipmate. His house is now a beautiful museum.
In recent decades, however, the stars of literature have been overshadowed by the stars of rock and roll. Many have heard of multi-mogul Richard Branson, who has a luxurious residence in the city. The stars of his record company have made regular visits to the mountain village, sometimes jamming at the local bar Sa Fonda. Deià has been home to several renowned musicians over the years, including Mick Jagger, guitarist Mark Knopfler and Mike Oldfield played there frequently in the late 1980s, as did Caroline Corr. Nearby you’ll find the fabulous Son Marroig farm and the remarkable rock formation of Sa Na Foradada, which offers breathtaking views of the coast and is a very attractive choice for weddings.
Deià is known as the ‘village of artists’, a place where creativity and inspiration flow with creativity. There are several unique galleries to visit in the village, such as Sa Tafona, Gres Gallery and Holló Manuella Andrada. If the selection of galleries in Deià is not enough for your thirsty art heart, you can head to the nearby villages of Valldemossa and Sóller and discover amazing galleries such as Ca’n Prunera and Fundació Coll Bardolet.
Sa Foradada
Sa Foradada is one of Mallorca’s natural wonders, a remarkable rock formation and island extending from the Son Marroig property. Sa Foradada was the site of a brutal battle between Mallorcans and attacking corsairs from North Africa who tried to sack the city in 1582. It was the famous adventurer Archduke Ludwig Salvator who created the route to this amazing place In Sa Foradada you can often see different types of birds such as blackbirds, cormorants, lupins and even sea eagles. If you fancy an outdoor activity after all the gallery visits – a short drive from Deià you will find the Golf de Son Termens, in the area of Bunyola, a beautiful and challenging 18-hole course set in a mountain valley.
Where to eat in Deiá?
Renowned Mediterranean-inspired restaurant El Olivo at the Hotel Belmond la Residencia is probably the most dreamy place in all of Mallorca. Located on a hillside with breathtaking views of the village, this exclusive 5-star restaurant serves delicious Mallorcan dishes you’ll never forget. The kitchen uses mainly local ingredients and even grows its own vegetables. A highlight not to be missed is the traditional suckling pig and the Mallorcan dessert tray – trust me, it’s worth every bite!
Looking for a dip in Cala Deiá?
If you want to take a refreshing dip in the turquoise waters, head down to Cala Deià. You can hike down yourself, but be prepared for a very challenging and steep hike back up. Our best advice is to wake up early, drive down and take one of the few parking spaces, but don’t forget to pay for parking. Cala Deia is breathtakingly beautiful and the water is magically crystal clear. This is a definite favorite for a swim, and a bonus is that Ca’s Patro March, a cozy seafood restaurant, is located nearby right on the water.
Nightlife in Deia is credited to the musical gem Sa Fonda, which opened in 1988. The aforementioned rock legends have performed here over the years and the outdoor terrace can be enjoyed to the sounds of acoustic music or DJs on late summer evenings.
The best hiking trails in Deia
As the municipality is surrounded by breathtaking views from several mountainous areas, a hike is a must to experience nature to the fullest. To reach Foradada, you should start from the houses and it is marked with distinctive iron bars. On the right side we see the white marble temple of Son Marroig. The walk to the island takes about two hours if we count the round trip, with a distance of 3 kilometers. This is a well-marked path so it is easy to enjoy a walk on your own or in company. The route starts at the parking lot of the Marroig farm and on the right side of the road we find the viewpoint of Foradada. A tip is to continue the trail down to sea level, where you can enjoy the wonder from the front row.
Alia Tiderman
Team Assistant @ BO Mallorca
