Are you looking to discover the “other side” of Mallorca beyond the beach-resort scene? If the Tramuntana mountains are calling, then it’s only a matter of time before you start asking yourself: Valldemossa or Deia?

Fortunately, you don’t need to waste any time going down the research rabbit hole because I’ve visited both of these idyllic Mallorcan mountain towns and I’m here to spill the tea.

So, Valldemossa or Deia? Which village will win your vote? Let’s find out!

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Whether you’re visiting Valldemossa or Deia, you’ll be making a journey to the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. Both of these charming Spanish villages are located within this majestic limestone mountain range that spans the island’s northwest coast.

Overall, it’s easier to get to (and around) Valldemossa than Deia. For instance, parking is much easier to come by in Valldemossa vs Deia.

Deia essentially has one main coastal road (MA-10) that runs through the heart of the village and then side streets that branch off of that road. In all honesty, if you aren’t staying at a hotel in Deia with parking included, finding a spot can be a bit of a nightmare.

That said, there’s a small public lot available in the town (across the street from La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel), but there are limited parking spaces, particularly during high season (June through September).

In addition, the roads in and around Deia are quite steep, so you’ll want to make sure you’re practiced and comfortable driving a manual car.

Alternatively, you can rely on public transportation if need be, as Deia does have a bus station in the heart of town.

Valdemossa, on the other hand, has many more opportunities for parking, from designated lots like this one to plentiful street parking. Just be prepared to pay!

Once you park your car in either town, both villages are easy and enjoyable to explore on foot.

With generally costlier accommodations and fewer dining options, Deia tends to be the pricier of the two towns.

That said, I wouldn’t refer to Valldemossa as a budget destination either, it just has more offerings in terms of restaurants and shops, so you’re more likely to find cheaper options.

To keep costs lower, I recommend traveling in the shoulder season (April through early June or September to October). We visited Mallorca with a baby from late May until early June and found this to be ideal in terms of costs, smaller crowds, etc..

When it comes to accommodations, Valldemossa definitely has more quantity to offer. In fact, Deia is so small that you won’t find more than a handful of properties there!

As far as pricing goes, the average cost for a night at a hotel in Valldemossa is about $240, while properties in Deia average nearly double that cost, at about $428 per night.

That said, you’ll want to take into account that there are fewer options in Deia – and the fact that one of them is arguably one of the priciest hotels on the island, La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel!

Despite fewer options and higher costs on average, hubby and I ultimately decided to base ourselves in Deia to be amidst the tranquility of nature. We stayed at the lovely Hotel y Apartamentos DES PUIG and I honestly couldn’t recommend this gem enough!

Between the prime location, breathtaking mountain views, spacious suite, friendly staff, and baby-friendly environment, it was the perfect place for us.

You can check out the details of our stay in my companion guide – and discover the best places to stay in Mallorca for families.

Plus, I’ve also included my accommodation recommendations for Valldemossa in there as well, if you’re leaning that way.

Though Valldemossa and Deia are both charming Spanish mountain villages, they each have their own unique vibe.

Deia has a distinctly bohemian feel to it and attracts many artists due to its jaw-dropping naturescape and funky cafés.

But don’t be fooled! Despite its artsy aura, Deia is undeniably upscale and is home to a select population of wealthy elite. To give you an idea, we looked at a real estate advertisement while in the area and the cheapest property listed was going for about four million. I supposed it comes as no surprise that the population is only about 600+!

Although undeniably charming with a small-village feel, Valldemossa feels large compared to Deia and the town is more spread out, making it easier to escape crowds during peak season.

Valldemossa is the highest village on the island and the town is car-free, which lends to its charming feel.

That said, while Valldemossa has its peaceful moments, it’s also considerably busier than Deia, simply because there’s a lot more going on during its prime season. From busy boutiques, to bustling markets, to energetic festivals, this is one of Mallorca’s liveliest mountain towns in summer when the day-trippers come to play.

For a more relaxed visit, I suggest coming in the shoulder season (April through early June or late September into October).

Prioritize Valldemossa if you prefer:

• More accommodation options (in a wider price range)
• A more plentiful selection of restaurants and shops
• More convenient parking
• Museums and other cultural experiences

Prioritize Deia if you prefer:

• Breathtaking mountain scenery
• More hiking opportunities
• A tranquil, more compact town
• Creative and artistic surroundings

If you’re a fan of composer Chopin and writer Sand, you’ll have to stop for a visit at their popular museum. This historic museum opened its doors in 1932 to pay homage to these notable artists.

Here, you can admire the original piano Chopin used to compose two dozen preludes and wander the surrounding gardens.

Easily one of the most popular attractions in Valldemossa, the 14-century Carthusian Monastery was built by the King of Mallorca. It features a stunning palace and church amongst beautifully-manicured gardens.

You can purchase an entrance ticket for the Carthusian Monastery here.

There’s just something about a Mediterranean market that tantalizes the tastebuds, and Valldemossa’s is no exception!

This traditional, open-air market is held every Sunday from 9AM until 3PM in the charming streets of Valldemossa. Here, you can pick up everything from fresh produce, to fragrant flowers, to stylish Spanish clothing.

When it comes to boutiques, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Valldemossa, from trendy shops to traditional, old-world offerings.

This is also an ideal place to purchase your souvenirs and postcards while in the Tramuntana mountain region.

Valldemossa is loaded with tasty treasures, and there’s no shortage of restaurants to try.

Here are some top-rated cafés & restaurants in Valldemossa:

• Patisseria Ca’n Molinas (café)
• Barbaflorida Café
• Es Taller (European fusion)
• La Posada (tapas)
• Es Roquissar (Mediterranean fusion & tapas)

British poet and writer Robert Graves was arguably the most notable of the many artists to be inspired by Deia’s magnificent landscape. So it should come as no surprise that one of the top things to do in Deia is visit his former home, which is now a museum.

A tour of his home-turned-museum starts with a video followed by a guided visit of the interior home and surrounding gardens.

While visiting a cemetery may understandably not be everyone’s cup of tea, the Deia Municipal Cemetery is not your standard graveyard.

Located on a hilltop, this intimate and peaceful resting place of painters, musicians, and poets features a gorgeous panorama over Deia. The view from here is simply stunning.

Deia is best explored on foot, as this is how you’ll discover its fascinating hidden corners and most stunning mountain backdrops.

And not to worry, the town is extremely tiny, so it won’t take long to uncover its gems.

Deia is an outdoor-enthusiast’s paradise. The beauty of this place cannot be conveyed through a photograph alone; you really need to experience it for yourself.

Fortunately, you can hop on one of Deia’s many hiking trails to enjoy an up-close-and-personal view of its beauty. One of the most popular routes is the hike from Valldemossa to Deia, a.k.a the Ruta de Pedra en Sec GR221.

That said, it’s a five-hour walk, so it’s not really suitable for a single-day visit if you’re planning to do additional sightseeing.

You can check out some alternative hiking trails in Deia here.

I know what you’re thinking – Italian food in Spain?

But you’ll just have to trust me on this one because this is where I enjoyed the absolute best tortellini I’ve had in my entire life (and I’m factoring in all of the pasta I’ve enjoyed in Italy)!

I definitely recommend booking a reservation in advance at Trattoria Italiana (and at Deia restaurants in general).

While we just happened to get lucky with a reservation late one night, we did have to wait for an hour for a table to open up.

After visiting Valldemossa and staying in Deia, I can honestly say the towns are probably more similar than they are different.

Here are some of the pros these two Mallorcan villages share:

• Stunning mountainside locations with breathtaking scenery
• Small and idyllic village vibes with a local feel
• Charming architecture featuring honey-hued buildings
• Lovely (and primarily) boutique accommodations

Alternatively, here are some of the cons of both Valldemossa and Deia:

• Both can be challenging to navigate with (or without!) a car due to winding roads and limited parking
• Both towns can become overrun with tourists in peak summer season
• Neither is an especially budget-friendly destination

Fortunately, traveling between the two towns should not be a challenge (provided you can handle steep and winding roads). Deia is located only about six miles north of Valldemossa and the towns are just over 20 minutes from each other by car, so you can easily enjoy both in a day trip.

That said, I recommend an extended stay in this hypnotizing Mallorcan region – trust me, you won’t want to leave!

As far as moving about in each of the towns, Valldemossa is the simpler one to navigate (and park) a car.

There’s also a bus (Line 203) that travels between the towns. You can learn more about the bus route here.

Alternatively, you can hike from one town to the other, as I shared in my top things to do above. Just be aware that this will end up taking up the better part of your day!

Now for the final debate. Valldemossa or Deia: Which village deserves your time and attention?

The short answer: Both!

Frankly, the towns are so geographically close to each other that there’s really no reason you can’t spend some time in each of them.

A better question might be: Which town should you base yourself in?

Assuming you’re interested in a mountain-village stay (as opposed to beach-resort accommodations like you’ll find with these Cala d’Or family hotels), my personal vote (and probably the unpopular opinion) is Deia, as this town was the highlight of our first family trip to Mallorca.

Yes, Valldemossa has more to offer on paper (more hotels, more restaurants, more shops, etc.), but there’s just something so hypnotizing about Deia. Between the indescribable views, the private and exclusive feel, and the tranquility, this town was right up my introvert alley.

That said, you really can’t go wrong basing yourself in either one, especially if you’re planning to visit both anyway!

So now that we’ve covered all of the nitty-gritty details, which place wins your vote: Valldemossa or Deia? Let me know in the comments below! 

Ready to explore more of Mallorca? Check out my other guides:

• Best Places to Stay in Mallorca for Families: Neighborhood Guide & Top Hotels
• 10 Awesome Family Hotels in Cala d’Or, Mallorca’s Popular Seaside Resort
• Vintage Train from Palma to Soller: A Perfect Mallorca Day Trip
• Mallorca with a Baby: Key Travel Tips & Family-Friendly Attractions
• Tenerife vs Mallorca: Which Stunning Spanish Island Should You Visit?