Oliva is a fantastic place for a holiday and much of the town's economy is reliant on tourists and tourism. One key reason for it's draw as a tourist resort is it's over 300 days of sunshine each year, the weather in Oliva and climate is one of the best in the world.
Oliva is at the southernmost tip of the Costa Azahar coast (also known as the Orange Blossom coast) where it meets the Costa Blanca coast of Spain, a huge tourist destination, Oliva is one of the nicest of the beach resorts. What sets Oliva apart is it's stunning beaches.
Most tourists to Oliva are Spanish, many of whom have holiday homes here but increasingly the secret is getting out and many other tourists are discovering Oliva. It is still small, quiet and unspoilt, ideal for the relaxing getaway holiday.
WHERE IS OLIVA?
Oliva is at the far north of the Costa Blanca coast where it meets the Costa del Azahar. Oliva is located in the region of Valencia. The city of Valencia with it's airport is only an hour away to the north. To the south, Alicante airport is about an hour and a half away. The main motorway (A7 autoroute) that runs the lenth of Spain's eastern coast passes close by Oliva so road access is excellent.
OLIVA BEACHES (PLAYA)
The key reason for Oliva's tourist popularity are the beaches. The wide beach of Oliva stretches for over 10km which means you can always escape other people if you are prepared to walk far enough. It means Oliva's beaches do not feel crowded unlike other Costa Blanca beaches (such as Javea, Moraira and Benidorm).
The other big difference with Oliva's beaches is the fact they are very natural with sand dunes giving a real feel of nature and unspoiltness. Oliva beach has lovely golden white sand.
The backdrop to Oliva's beach are many apartments - thankfully low-rise. Oliva is full of tourists in summer but has a very deserted feel in winter when most of these apartments which are just used as holiday homes for the Spanish sit empty and shuttered up. Oliva has plenty of good restaurants, bars and shops.
There are many villas to rent in Oliva although most of these villas will be away from the beach area in the hills surrounding the town of Oliva.
OLIVA WATERSPORTS
Needless to say most types of watersports are possible in Oliva. Especially because the winds on Oliva beach are often strong. Ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing which can be hired on the beach.
THE TOWN OF OLIVA
The actual town of Oliva is set back from Oliva Playa (beach). So on one hand you have the beach area with it's many apartments frequented in season by Spanish and mostly empty in winter and then you have the historic old town of Oliva with it's year-round activity and lack of any sign of tourism. Oliva itself is a small town surrounded by fields, mainly orange groves. So it is a town for which agriculture is of major importance (as well of course as tourism).
Oliva is a small town, nevertheless it has a lovely feel in the old town with many old buildings of interest. Noteworthy buildings are the remains of the Moorish castle, the two churches with their pretty blue domed roofs which are lit up at night.
Of course Oliva has many fiestas throughout the year, the most famous fiesta in Oliva probably being the Moors and Christians fiesta in July.
The promenade or pasai in Oliva is the heart of the town, this is lined with trees and there are wide open spaces with benches where people sit in the evening and chat, there is a play area for children and of course many cafes and restaurants where you can sit out in the open air. This area also has the indoor market where you can buy the freshest local vegetables, fruits, meats and breads.
The town of Oliva retains it's Spanish feel and has not so far been blighted by modern developement.
GOLF IN OLIVA
Another key selling point for tourism in Oliva is the 18-hole golf course called Oliva Nova Golf and Country Club which is in a great setting close to the coast and beach and designed by world famous Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros. The golf course is very well rated by golfers and enables you to play golf while enjoying a great beach holiday. Ideal for a family because the father may want to play golf while the rest of the family have something they can do too!
ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY INFORMATION FOR OLIVA
Oliva is small and compact so if you can get there you could do without hiring a car in Oliva. But to get there on public transport is not possible so you are looking on getting a taxi from an airport - this would be very expensive. At least if you hire a car you can explore the rest of the Costa Blanca coast. Go inland to the mountains and you will find amazing scenery and unspoilt small Spanish towns and villages. Alternatively the big resorts of Calpe and Benidorm are worth a day trip as is the castle at Guadalest.
Oliva is very small so there are few hotels in Oliva. Most people looking for accommodation in Oliva look to hire or rent an apartment or villa.