Deya or Deia as it’s sometimes spelt, is a small coastal village about ten miles north of Valldemossa. It is an incredibly vivid village where strangers are welcomed and tourism has been embraced but in a way that has helped keep the old world feel to the place whilst helping it to feel alive and lived in.
The olive trees which are in abundance here have a world wise look about them, and a serenity that helps give the whole village a peaceful feel. Many of them are of an excellent age and their beauty is visible in their trunks which are twisted and beautiful to look at.
With the Serra de Tramuntana mountains towering behind as a backdrop, the village sits on a hill and then extends down into the valley below. It’s system of open irrigation channels date back to Moorish times. Many of the houses here are older, and being built from local materials seem to blend well with their background. The Cala (cove) can be reached by walking down through the olive groves where if you’re early enough, you will see the last few of the local fishermen casting out their nets at dawn.
The village is well known for it’s literary and musical residents. Robert Graves – the English poet, novelist and scholar was one of the first foreigners to settle here. He came here after the war and remained until his death, using the town as the setting for many of his stories. His house here is now a museum, and he is buried in the graveyard here. Anais Nin visited the area in the 1920’s and wrote a short story set here on the villages beach. Claribel Alegra a Nicaraguan poet and novelist lives here today. On the musical side of things, Kevin Ayers, Robert Wyatt and David Allen have all lived here at times over the years, and Richard Branson has a residence here. In fact, it has been known for Stars on his record label to visit the village and jam at the local bar Sa Fonda.
Despite being a fairly small town, there are around 20 restaurants and bars in this area all of which are popular with visitors. There are also a number of hotels and rental properties available here for those who fancy more than just a day’s visit.
