The Ultimate Guide to Deià, Mallorca

Mallorca, one of Spain’s most picturesque Balearic Islands, boasts stunning landscapes, charming villages, and a rich cultural heritage. While the island offers a wide variety of experiences, this blog post will focus on a two-part journey: first, exploring the historic city of Palma, and then the idyllic village of Deià.

This was our second stop on our Spain trip, right after Barcelona. We had an early morning flight from Barcelona and landed in Mallorca in the morning with a full day to spend exploring.

We squeezed in about 5-6 hours in Palma right after landing in Mallorca and before heading to our hotel. It was just the right amount of time to explore and made sure we got to Deià before it got too dark. We spent 2.5 days in Deià and stayed at the La Residencia, a Belmond Hotel.

To make the most of your visit, renting a car is an excellent idea. Here are some tips to help you navigate Mallorca with ease and have a memorable trip:

• Plan Ahead: Before you arrive in Mallorca, plan your itinerary. Consider the places you want to visit, activities you’d like to do, and the duration of your stay. For example, it made the most sense for us to visit Palma on the way to our hotel in Deià vs. plan it for another day.
• Book in Advance: To secure the best rates and ensure availability, book your rental car in advance. Due to popularity in the summer months, I recommend booking your rental car at the same time as your hotel accommodations.
• Driving License and Documentation: Ensure you have a valid driver’s license and any required international driving permits. We were not asked for our international driving permits when we picked up the rental car, but if we had been pulled over on our trip we would have needed them. We were able to get them from our local AAA and it was peace of mind to have them!
• Drive Safely: Mallorca’s roads can be winding and narrow, especially on the ~50 minute drive to Deià. Drive cautiously, adhere to speed limits, and be prepared for hairpin turns in the mountainous regions.
• Parking: When parking in towns and cities, look for designated parking areas or garages. Street parking can be limited and subject to time restrictions. In Palma, we looked up the location for a convenient parking garage in advance and put that into our GPS leaving the airport.

Part 1: Palma

A half-day in Palma:

• Fornet de la Soca and Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo: Begin your Palma adventure with the local treats. Fornet de la Soca and Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo are renowned bakeries for their desserts, including ensaimadas, a traditional sweet pastry from Mallorca.
• Place de Cort and the Cathedral of Mallorca: Stroll through the enchanting streets of Palma’s old town and discover the picturesque Place de Cort, home to the town hall and centuries-old olive tree. Continue your walk by visiting the stunning Cathedral of Mallorca, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
• El Camino: For lunch or dinner, head to El Camino, a restaurant that combines Mediterranean and international flavors. Savor fresh seafood, tapas, and a variety of dishes that showcase Mallorcan cuisine at its finest. This was our favorite tapas restaurant of the trip! They are very popular, so I recommend making a reservation in advance. For smaller parties, make sure to reserve the bar seats to watch all of the magic in the kitchen.
• Giovanni L. Gelato Deluxe: Located in Palma Central, this is a must-visit for gelato. The flavor selection and prices were great! We enjoyed our gelato as we listened to local musicians playing in the square.

Part 2: Deià

Where to Stay in Deià:

We chose to stay at the La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel in the charming village of Deià. Nestled among the hills, this hotel offers breathtaking views of Deià and a perfect blend of luxury and serenity. This was my first experience at a Belmond Hotel, and I was genuinely blown away! Right from the moment we arrived, the service was on another level, the best I’ve ever experienced.

We spent our days exploring, followed by relaxing at the stunning hotel pool to cool off after a long day, and dinners right at the hotel. And let me tell you, the dining options were absolutely fantastic (I’ll share them below). This allowed us to fully appreciate the hotel’s beauty and enjoy the live music as the sun set each night.

Another great amenity at the hotel is their complimentary breakfast, which included a large food buffet, a DIY Bloody Mary and mimosas station, mad-to-order coffee drinks, and an a la carte menu. Hands down, the best breakfast I have ever experienced.

Finally, the location is fantastic to explore Valldemossa, Port de Sóller and Sóller, and Deià, of course.

Things to do in Deià:

• Charter a Boat: Make sure to enjoy Mallorca by water. I highly recommend Perfect Charter Mallorca for a full or half day trip. There are also options to enjoy a sunset cruise. Whether you prefer sailing, snorkeling, or simply sunbathing on the deck, this excursion promises adventure and relaxation. Perfect Charter Mallorca can also help secure lunch reservations at some of the hardest places to get a reservation, including Ca’s Patró Marche.
• Explore by Vespa: We rented vespas from Bullimoto Vespa Exploration and had them dropped off at our hotel. We explored Valldemossa, Port de Sóller, and Sóller by vespa and it was a day to remember. There are a lot of hairpin turns and narrow roads, so I only recommend this activity if. you are comfortable on a vespa and have driven one before.

Dining in Deià

• Ca’s Patró Marche: A seafood restaurant perched on the cliffs above the Mediterranean – this is one of the most beautiful restaurants I have ever visited. The fresh catch of the day and the sound of waves crashing below will undoubtedly make this meal a memorable one. Reservations, in my experience, can be quite challenging to secure. However, we had Perfect Charter Mallorca help us in making the reservation, and they took care of everything.
• El Olivo: At La Residencia, a Belmond Hotel, you can dine al fresco under ancient olive trees while savoring a menu filled with local ingredients and Mediterranean flavors. La Residencia boasts three restaurants, and this one offers the most upscale dining experience. Be sure to make a reservation in advance. I recommend securing a dinner reservation just after sunset to fully enjoy the breathtaking views.
• Cafe Miró: Another restaurant at La Residencia is Cafe Miró, a cozy eatery with an outdoor terrace that provides panoramic views of Deià’s stunning landscape. The combination of spectacular sunsets and live music creates an unforgettable dining experience.
• Tramuntana Grill: The third and final restaurant at La Residencia, Tramuntana Grill, offers amazing views of the Deià rooftops and the mountains. Its poolside location creates a laid-back ambiance with live music in the evenings, and they’re open for lunch as well.
• For our next trip, I’ve got some must-visit restaurants in mind that I didn’t get a chance to explore this time around. Given a few more days, I would have loved to savor the flavors at Béns d’Avall Restaurant, Frédéric Restaurant at Hotel Valldemossa, and Sa Foradada. They’re definitely on my list for our next visit.

This leg of our Spain journey held a special place in my heart, and I absolutely fell head over heels for Mallorca. I genuinely hope that this blog post proves to be a valuable resource as you plan your own adventure, and I wish you the most incredible experience, soaking in all the breathtaking beauty that Mallorca has to offer.

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– Karen