Oliva

A historic Valencian town with ten kilometres of beach

Oliva lies where the orange groves of La Safor meet the Mediterranean. It combines a characterful old town, long sandy beaches with protected dunes, a renowned golf resort and the year-round rhythm of a real Spanish town – a rare mix on this coast.

General

A real town, all year round

Oliva is home to around 27,000 people and sits at the southern tip of Valencia province, 8 km south of Gandia and about 20 minutes' drive from Dénia. Unlike many purpose-built resorts, Oliva is a living town with its own shops, banks, health centre and a busy Friday market along the Passeig, so it never feels empty in winter.

The climate is classic Mediterranean: mild, sunny winters and long, hot summers cooled by the sea breeze. Prices are generally more accessible than in the better-known towns further south, which makes Oliva popular with families, remote workers and retirees alike.

Areas

Where to live in Oliva

Oliva offers very different lifestyles within a few kilometres:

Old town – whitewashed streets climbing Santa Anna hill and its castle, the churches of Santa Maria la Major and Sant Roc, and traditional townhouses full of character.
Town centre – apartments and family homes around the Passeig, within walking distance of shops, cafés, schools and services.
Oliva Playa – the beach districts of Pau Pi, Aigua Blanca and Terranova, with apartments, townhouses and villas just steps from the sand.
Oliva Nova – a green resort south of town with golf, an equestrian centre, villas and apartments close to the beach.
Countryside – detached villas and fincas among the orange groves and on the hills behind the town, often with sea views.

Beaches

Ten kilometres of golden sand

Almost the entire coastline of Oliva is fine, golden sand. Pau Pi and Aigua Blanca, closest to town, have promenades, beach bars and lifeguards in summer – perfect for families. Terranova is one of the few beaches in the region with an intact dune system and even a natural freshwater spring.

Further south, Rabdells and Aigua Morta are quieter and more natural. Several of Oliva's beaches regularly fly the Blue Flag, a coastal path leads towards Gandia, and the steady breeze makes Oliva a favourite spot for kitesurfers and windsurfers.

Nature

Wetlands, springs and mountains

Right behind the beaches lies the Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park, a protected wetland of crystal-clear springs, rice fields and canals that is home to herons, ducks and many other water birds. Flat paths make it ideal for walking and cycling, while the hills behind the town offer hiking trails with sweeping views over the coast.

Gastronomy

Rice, fish and orange blossom

Rice is king in Oliva. Try arròs al forn, the oven-baked rice with chickpeas, pork and sausage, arròs a banda cooked in fish stock, paella and fideuà. Fresh fish and seafood are served in the beach restaurants, while the town's bars keep the tradition of tapas, coques and long Sunday lunches alive.

The surrounding orchards supply oranges, mandarins and avocados, and the Friday market on the Passeig is the place for local fruit, vegetables and cheese.

Schools

Education for every age

Oliva has several public nursery and primary schools spread across town and two secondary schools, IES Gregori Maians and IES Gabriel Císcar. Lessons are taught in Spanish and Valencian, with English as a foreign language.

For an international curriculum, the British School of Gandia is a short drive away, and more international schools can be found in the Dénia and Jávea area. Oliva's historic Aula de Gramàtica is a reminder of the town's long scholarly tradition.

Sports

Golf, horses and water sports

Oliva Nova is home to an 18-hole golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros and a large equestrian centre that hosts international show-jumping tournaments. On the coast you can go kitesurfing, windsurfing, paddle boarding and sailing.

Cyclists love the flat coastal roads and the mountain climbs inland, and the town has tennis and padel clubs, gyms, a municipal sports centre and walking routes for every level.

Culture & festivals

Traditions all year round

Oliva's biggest celebration is Moros i Cristians in July, with spectacular parades of costumed filaes through the old town. The Falles in March and Holy Week are also celebrated with passion.

History lovers can visit the Archaeological and Ethnological Museums, the Casa Maians and the remains of the Palau dels Centelles. Good to know: Gandia station, with trains to Valencia, is ten minutes away, Valencia airport is about an hour by car and Alicante airport about an hour and a quarter.

Enjoy Houses Spain

Find your home in Oliva with Enjoy Houses Spain

Enjoy Houses Spain is a local, multilingual estate agency on the Costa Blanca North. We know Oliva street by street – from the old town to the beachfront and Oliva Nova – and we guide you through every step: finding the right property, arranging viewings, negotiating the price, checking the legal and financial details with trusted partners, all the way to the notary and the handover of the keys.

Personal advice in your own language
Local knowledge of every neighbourhood
Trusted lawyers, banks and tradespeople
Help after the purchase: utilities, NIE, renovation and more

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Photos: Josepclim (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Joanbanjo (CC BY-SA 3.0) · chisloup (CC BY 3.0) · ChristofUllrich (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Sara2 (CC0) · Romang (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Joanbanjo (CC BY-SA 3.0) · V & A (CC BY 3.0) · Adolfo A. G. Galache (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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