Oliva – Old Town, Nature and Coast

Oliva combines a very well-preserved medieval old town with the coast and the ecologically valuable Marjal de Pego-Oliva wetland. Three tourist walking routes have been designed for the old town. Oliva’s beaches stretch for 8.5 km and have fine golden sand and shallow water.

Culture and History

The La Safor Natural Trail runs from Oliva to Gandia. Castillo de Santa Anna was rebuilt between 1520 and 1546 on the site of an earlier Santa Anna chapel. In its comarca, it is considered one of the finest examples of Renaissance military architecture and stands on the summit of the hill overlooking the city of Oliva.

The route through the Vila Condal is 1.57 km long, has a low level of difficulty and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. It passes noble houses and reveals the remains of a Renaissance palace that belonged to the Señores de Centelles y Riu Sech. The route through the Raval Morisco is 1.38 km long, also has a low level of difficulty and takes 2 hours. It leads through steep streets associated with Oliva’s Arab heritage.

The Museu Arqueològic d'Oliva displays exhibits and tools for everyday use dating from prehistory through Iberian and Roman culture, the Middle Ages and the Islamic period to 16th-century Oliva. It is housed in a stately building from the 15th century. L’Enginy is a former sugar mill and a landmark of the city of Oliva.

Nature and Routes

The Marjal de Pego-Oliva Nature Park is a wetland between the Mostalla, Mediodía and Segaria mountain ranges. Its vegetation is of high ecological value and includes reeds, rushes, cattails, yellow irises, duckweed and extensive underwater meadows, among other plants. The Marjal de Pego-Oliva is home to purple swamphens, little grebes, purple and grey herons, squacco herons, marbled teals, black-winged stilts and whiskered terns, among other species.

The red Muntanyeta Verda route in the Marjal de Pego-Oliva is an easy hiking trail that takes 1.5 hours and runs along the Salinar River. The blue route is a cycling route in the Marjal de Pego-Oliva. It begins at a stone house on the cycle path from Pego to El Verger; after 100 metres, it reaches the Racons River and continues via a turnoff to the rice fields. The different route lengths, durations and activity types can be compared for day planning.

Coast and Water

At Rabdells Beach, there is a specially designated area for kitesurfing. Paddle surfing and windsurfing are among the activities offered on the coast of Oliva. The waters of Font Salada maintain a constant temperature throughout the year.

An adapted bathing service was available at Playa de Pau Pi beach on Plaza de Europa and at Playa de Aigua Morta beach on Calle Jacomart. During the high season, the accessible bathing service at Oliva’s beaches included adapted door-to-door transport and an escort, which could be reserved 24 hours in advance.

When comparing holiday apartments in Oliva, you can view travel dates, accommodation category and cancellation policies side by side on booking sites. In addition, culture, nature, coast and water sports can be compared as different focuses for your personal planning.

Other Places

Other places you can discover from this page include La Torre D'en Besora, Beniparrell, Paiporta, Los Ruices, Simat de la Valldigna, Navalón, L'olleria and Benisanó.

To the higher-level travel overview: Valencia.