All about OLIVA - A Hidden Gem on the Costa Blanca

All about Oliva: A Hidden Gem on the Costa Blanca 🏖️

Oliva is a wonderful small town on the Costa Blanca, famous for its stunning white sandy beaches, mountain landscapes, and historic charm. Located in the Region of Valencia, it offers visitors a perfect mix of nature, history, and authentic Spanish culture.

📍 Where is Oliva?

Oliva sits in the southeast of Valencia province within the Safor region, bordering Alicante.

It’s just 62km from Benidorm 🚗, best reached by car (about an hour) or by bus 🚌, which takes around 3 hours and costs between €8 and €12.

🏞️ Explore Oliva’s Three Diverse Landscapes

1️⃣ The Mountains ⛰️

Oliva’s mountain areas are protected natural parks, with peaks such as:

• Pla del Frares (464m)

• Covatelles (365m)

• Tossal Gros (293m)

• Cavall Bernat (206m)

• Penya de l'Àguila (170m)

Other notable areas include Pla de Carrixar (249m) with rainwater depressions nurturing wetland plants 🌿, and Lloma d'Enmig (238m).

2️⃣ The Central Area 🌾

Between the mountains and coast lies a zone of marshes and swamps, rich in biodiversity and agricultural life.

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3️⃣ The Coast 🌊

Oliva boasts 8.8km of fine sandy beaches, with parts integrated into the Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park, creating an idyllic coastal environment.

🗺️ Things to Do in Oliva

🏘️ Explore the Historic Town

• Walk through Vila Condal 🏰, discovering remains of towers and ancient walls.

• Wander the Moorish Raval 🕌 with narrow streets like La Hoz, Gerreria, and Pinet.

• Visit Tosalet del Doiz viewpoint 🌄 for breathtaking panoramas.

⛪ Admire Historic Temples

• Parish Church of San Roque with its baroque chapel.

• Parish Church of the Assumption of Our Lady ✝️, featuring a crypt turned exhibition space.

• Hermitage of San Vicente Ferrer (18th century), where the saint preached.

• L’Enginy 🏭, an old sugar mill worth seeing.

🏺 Museu Arqueológic d'Oliva

Housed in a 15th-century building, this museum showcases Oliva and Safor’s history, with artefacts from Iberian, Roman, Medieval, and Islamic periods.

🕒 Opening hours:

• Oct-May: Tue-Sat 10:00-13:30 & 16:00-19:00, Sun 11:00-13:30

• Jun-Sep: Tue-Sat 10:00-13:30 & 17:00-20:00, Sun 11:00-13:30

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🏯 Visit Santa Ana Castle

This 12th-century Islamic fortress, though partially ruined, offers spectacular views of Oliva, including the iconic blue domes of Santa María and San Roque churches. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest 🏆 in 2002.

🌳 Nature and Beaches 

Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park 🦆

A paradise for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and cyclists. Discover wetlands, springs (‘ullals’), rice fields, herons, ducks, turtles, and even water snakes.

💧 Font Salada

Within the natural park lies Font Salada, a thermal spring (21-23°C) with mineral-rich salty waters believed to have healing properties for the skin. Easily accessed near C. Guillem De Castro 21.

🏖️ Top Beaches in Oliva

🌅 Terranova-Burguera

From Piles to Oliva’s port, this fine sandy beach features a freshwater spring called El Tou or El Clotal 

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Pau-Pi

The most popular beach, with Blue Flag and quality certificates, full services, play areas, and a lively promenade lined with restaurants 🍽️ and ice cream parlours.

🌞 Aigua Blanca

A quiet naturist beach with golden sand and beach bars in summer.

Rabdells

Surrounded by dunes 🌾, this tranquil beach is 1km long, with nearby campsites

Aigua Morta

A popular summer spot with fine golden sand, near San Fernando urbanisation

Les Deveses

At Oliva’s southern end bordering Dénia, this peaceful beach with fine sand is perfect for relaxation.

🍽️ Eating Out in Oliva

Eating out in Oliva is a real treat for food lovers. The town is home to a variety of traditional restaurants, tapas bars, and beachfront chiringuitos, where you can savour authentic regional dishes.

Don’t miss the chance to try “Fideuà”, a local specialty similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice, often prepared with fresh seafood.

Other Valencian favourites include “Esgarraet” (roasted red peppers with salted cod) and “Arroz al Horno” (oven-baked rice with pork and chickpeas).

Many restaurants also serve freshly caught fish 🐟, grilled meats, and homemade desserts such as “Arnadí”, a sweet pumpkin and almond cake typical of Safor.

Whether dining in the historic old town or by the sea, Oliva’s gastronomy will immerse you in the flavours of traditional Valencian cuisine.

Find more information on places to visit here.

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