Views of Oliva (Valencia) from Santa Ana Castle

Oliva

Valencia-València

Bordering on the province of Alicante, Oliva is the second most important town in the region of La Safor.

It boasts 10 kilometres of clean beaches and shallow waters, backed almost in their entirety by dunes which separate the orange groves from the sea. In town, which is well-preserved, the Christian village and the Moorish suburb stand out. Noteworthy monuments include the Archpriestal Palace, the convent of Rebollet, the “Torre de Comare” – from the 5th and 6th centuries-, San Roque –from the 18th and 19th centuries- and the ruins of the castle of Santa Ana. Also worth a visit are the house of Gregorio Mayans and the ancestral homes from the 17th to the 19th centuries on Calle Tamarit.

The liveliest areas are around the beaches of Daimús, Miramar and Guardamar. The yacht club and the marina provide the opportunity to do water sports such as windsurfing. There are a great many campsite spaces, which are popular with those who like river fishing and hiking in the mountains. The town also has an 18-hole golf course. Worth a separate mention is the Pego-Oliva Fen Nature Reserve, an area of wetlands with abundant indigenous animals and plants of great ecological value.