The main attraction along the beautiful 10 kilometre long white sand beach of Oliva is the 18 hole Oliva Nova Golf and Country Club. Considered by many to be the best golf course is Spain and designed by Seve Ballesteros it is renowned for being challenging in many ways and the numerous water hazards, although cursed by many a golfer, add great beauty to the course itself.
The beaches in themselves are big attractions to the town, popular but never crowded and fringed by sand dunes. No skyscrapers are to be seen here due to strict planning controls. The strong winds make this a Mecca for windsurfers and kite-boarders although many other types of water sports are available here.
Just outside of the town of Oliva is Europe’s largest subterranean lake, the Oliva-Pego Marjal Wetlands Nature Reserve, home to many different species of plants and birds. Rice is actually grown here too in enormous paddy fields which helps attract many species of migratory birds.
The town of Oliva is very Spanish in style, a very attractive town with lots of interesting museums, buildings and churches for those interested in history and architecture. The fiestas here are very enthusiastically celebrated, planning begins many months in advance and people come from far away to celebrate Easter Week and the Oliva Fair, originally an annual agricultural market that grew into a week long celebration of dancing, concerts and other attractions including a fairground and sports activities.
The restaurants here are very proud of their traditional fare and although much in the way of international food is available it is the traditional dishes of meatballs (Figatells), Spanish Pizza (Coca a las Calfo) and Stuffed Peppers (Pebreres Farcides) to name just a few that are the most popular here.
Nightlife is lively here but more in a family friendly style, bars and restaurants stay open until early in the morning but night clubs are more low key here than in other bigger towns.
