A day in … · Tramuntana
A day in Deià: artists' village, pebble cove and evening light over Sa Foradada
Last checked: October 2026
A day trip from Palma, planned hour by hour: by bus along the coast road to the mountain village, into Robert Graves' house, on foot down to Cala Deià – and in the evening to the viewpoint over Sa Foradada.
Quick answer
Is a day trip to Deià worth it?
Yes – Deià is small enough for one day, yet it has three very different sides: the village on the hillside, the pebble cove of Cala Deià and the view of Sa Foradada. Without a hire car, TIB bus 203 runs from Palma via Valldemossa to Deià. Allow around 30 minutes for the walk down to the cove; the way back up is noticeably steeper. Parking in the village is scarce.
- Getting there
- TIB bus 203 from Palma via Valldemossa, around 45–60 minutes; by car on the Ma-10 coast road
- Time needed
- a full day, ideally 09:00–21:00
- Costs
- bus fare, Son Marroig around €4, Robert Graves' house small admission fee (check the current price)
- Best time
- April to October, when the restaurants at the cove are open
- Without a car
- easy for village and cove; bus or taxi for Son Marroig
- If it rains
- Robert Graves' house, galleries in the village
The day plan
Deià in one day – how it works
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Bus 203 into the mountains
Line 203 starts in Palma and runs via Valldemossa onto the Ma-10 coast road. In season it is often full – board early and, if you can, sit on the right: after Valldemossa the sea is on that side. In Deià the bus stops on the through road, a few steps from the village.
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Robert Graves' house
A few minutes' walk from the centre on the road to Sóller, the poet had his house built in 1932. After the Civil War he returned in 1946 and lived here until his death in 1985. His study and printing press have been preserved, and the garden has been replanted as it was in the 1930s. Allow around an hour, including a short introductory film. Closed on Sundays.
Open in Google Maps Google profile Robert Graves' house in detail
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Up to the village church
Carrer es Puig, lined with ceramic Stations of the Cross, leads up to the church of Sant Joan Baptista. Graves lies under a simple headstone in the small cemetery next to it. From the top you look over the terraces to the sea. Please keep quiet – the cemetery is used by the village.
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Coffee and galleries
Café Sa Fonda on the main road (Avinguda Arxiduc Lluís Salvador 5) is good for a break. Since Graves, Deià has attracted painters and writers; Deiarte combines a gallery and bar with changing exhibitions.
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Through the olive groves to the sea
The path to Cala Deià leads downhill through terraces and olive groves in around 30 minutes – the same path Graves took to swim almost every day when the sea was calm. Sturdy shoes are enough; you do not need hiking gear.
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Fish on the rocks
There are two fish restaurants at the cove. Ca's Patró March, a family business in a former fisherman's house, opens for lunch only until about 17:00, roughly April to October; bookings by phone, whole fish is priced by the kilo. The alternative is Can Lluc right on the cove.
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Swimming between the boathouses
The cove is around 70 metres long, pebbles and rock, with a steep entry. Water shoes help. Snorkelling is worthwhile along the rocks. There are no sunbeds and no shade.
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Back to the village
Going uphill takes a little longer than coming down. Take water – in summer the path is in the sun in the afternoon.
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The Archduke's estate
Son Marroig lies on the Ma-10 between Valldemossa and Deià. Archduke Ludwig Salvator lived here; the manor house is a museum (admission around €4), and a marble pavilion stands in the garden above the cliffs. The museum closes before sunset – check the seasonal hours. Without a car, take a taxi or bus 203 towards Valldemossa.
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Sa Foradada in the evening light
From the viewing platform above Son Marroig you see the pierced peninsula of Sa Foradada against the open sea. It gets busy in the evening – arrive a little early.
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Dinner in the village
For its size, the village has many restaurants, and prices are high. Options include Bistró Rullàn, Ca ses Sauerschell's as a relaxed wine bar, or Balm with a focus on vegetarian food. Book ahead, especially for tables with a view.
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Back to Palma
Fewer line 203 buses run in the evening – check the timetable on tib.org in the morning. If you stay later, plan for a taxi. By car: the Ma-10 is narrow and winding and unpleasant to drive in the dark.
Costs
What does the Deià trip cost?
| Item | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bus 203 Palma – Deià | standard fare | cheaper by bank card than cash, current fares on tib.org |
| Robert Graves' house | small fee | check the price on the day |
| Son Marroig (manor house) | around €4 | museum closes before sunset |
| Lunch at the cove | à la carte | whole fish priced by the kilo – ask first |
Check details
Timetables and opening hours change with the season. The timetables on tib.org and the information from each venue are binding.
Variations
Adapt the day
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With children
Because of the steep entry, Cala Deià is only partly suitable for small children. They tend to enjoy the path through the olive groves and the boathouses; for swimming, Port de Sóller is more relaxed.
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For hikers
The old route to Sóller is now part of the GR 221 Dry Stone Route: around 10 kilometres, about 3.5 hours, with a detour to Cala Deià. From Sóller you return to Palma by bus or train.
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Walk to Sa Foradada
From the car park at Son Marroig a path leads down to the peninsula, around two and a half hours there and back. It crosses private land and is closed on certain weekdays – check the gate before paying for parking.
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If it rains
Robert Graves' house and the galleries fill a wet morning. The cove and the viewpoint are then less worthwhile.
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Combine with Valldemossa
Bus 203 stops in Valldemossa on the way. If you want both in one day, do Valldemossa in the morning and skip the cove in Deià.
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By car
Parking in the village is scarce, and the paid car park at the cove is tiny and fills early in summer. Park up in the village and walk down to the cala.
In winter
From roughly November to March the fish restaurants at Cala Deià are closed and several restaurants in the village take a break. Robert Graves' house also opens on weekdays in winter, partly with shorter hours. The village, church and viewpoint work all year round.
FAQ
Questions about a day trip to Deià
How do I get to Deià without a car?
By TIB bus 203 from Palma. It runs via Valldemossa to Deià and on to Sóller and Port de Sóller.
How long is the walk from the village to Cala Deià?
Around 30 minutes downhill through olive groves. Allow a little more time for the walk back up.
Where is Robert Graves buried?
In the small cemetery next to the church of Sant Joan Baptista at the top of the village.
Is Cala Deià good for swimming?
Yes, the water is clear, but the entry over pebbles and rock is steep. Water shoes help; there are no sunbeds and no shade.
Is Deià worth visiting in winter?
For the village, church and Robert Graves' house, yes. The restaurants at the cove are then closed, and some in the village take a break.
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