Olvera, Spain: The Hidden White Village in Andalucia
Fall in love with Olvera, Spain: the hidden white village in Andalucia within the region of Cadiz. It might just be the prettiest village in Andalucia or even all of Spain for that matter! No wonder why the Spanish government declared Olvera as the center of “Artistic and Historic Importance.”
The first thing you will notice about this stunning town is the towering cathedral which marks the backdrop of any photo you see of this adorable place. It is absolutely huge and is a significant landmark in this quiet and charming town. You won’t find many tourists in Olvera making it a true hidden gem in Spain.
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How to get to Olvera, Cadiz
The closest airport to Olvera is Malaga Airport (AGP) (74.2 km away) or Jerez Airport (XRY) (74.5 km). Alternatively, you could also fly into the Seville Airport (SVQ) (78.6 km). It’s recommended to drive from any of these as it can be hard to get around with minimal public transport in the area.
To rent a car, use Discover Cars which finds the cheapest price across different car rental companies. You can pick up the car from one of the larger towns, ideally from the airport.
If you rent a car, you have the freedom to explore many of the other nearby white villages in Cadiz, Spain.
How long to visit Olvera, Cadiz
Olvera is a small village, you can easily visit it in one day’s time and soak in the beautiful views and wander the pretty streets of this stunning town. Pair it with some of the other amazing white towns nearby and stay a couple of days to enjoy the nature and amazing hiking the area has to offer.
The best things to do in Olvera, Spain
1. Stroll through Calle Calzada up to the Cathedral
This picturesque street leads up to the Cathedral. Lined with potted plants, it’s a beautiful street to capture if you love photography.
2. Admire the Cathedral at Plaza de la Iglesia
The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnacion (Olvera Cathedral) is front and center to this beautiful white village. Head over to Plaza de la Iglesia for some nice views of all the white houses in the village, passing by the huge Olvera sign in the center of the Plaza. Visit the inside of the cathedral and admire the intricate interiors. This cathedral was built in a neo-classical style in the 18th century by the Dukes of Osuna and was completed in 1843.
3. Soak in the views from Olvera Castle
Near the Olvera Cathedral, you will find the Castillo de Olvera which was built at the end of the 12th century as a defensive system of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada. In 1327, Aldos X! (the King of Castile) took over the castle. This old Moorish fortress was completely rebuilt by the Christians and has become what it is today.
The views from here are unbeatable so I definitely recommend going. You can also capture the amazing photo viewpoint in the image below just as you enter the castle and take the steps up.
🎟️ Entry: tickets are only €2 and can be purchased at the tourist office in the plaza.
🕒 Hours: In winter: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
In summer: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Closed Monday. Except for holidays
4. Have lunch at La Tarara
La Tarara is one of the best restaurants in Olvera. In fact, it was just featured in Michelin Guide and got awarded Bib Gourmand for good quality and good value cooking. Here you can try some traditional Andalucian dishes but with a twist.
5. Wander the pretty white streets
There are so many pretty white washed streets to discover in Olvera so just wander the labyrinth of streets and get lost. It is a small village so you won’t have trouble stumbling across these cute photo spots. There are plenty of them!
6. Check out the view from Monumento al Sagrado Corazón
Monumento al Sagrado Corazón is another amazing viewpoint in Olvera. It is further back from the town center so you can see the huge cathedral towering above the white washed buildings all surrounding. It is a beautiful place to visit and after a short climb, you can see all of Olvera.
The Santuary of our Lady los Remedios is a hidden gem within the hidden gem of Olvera itself! This 18th century temple is dedicated to the Virgin Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, the patron saint of Olvera. Legend has it that you can leave well wishes for those who need wellness and they will be taken care of. In fact, there was a room which you see depicted in the third photo above with all kinds of relics dedicated to just this notion!
🎟️ Entry: Free
🕒 Hours: 9-2pm, 4-7pm daily except Saturday where re-opening time is 5pm.
📍 Address: Santuario de Ntra. Sra. de los Remedios, 11690 Olvera, Cádiz, Spain
8. Explore other surrounding white villages
Olvera is just one of the many pretty white villages in Andalucia known as pueblos blancos. So be sure to do some exploring and visit towns such as Grazalema, Setenil de las Bodegas, and Zahara de la Sierra. Each town has something unique and special about it. You can learn about some of the other villages in the area, by reading my other post on The Prettiest White Villages in Andalucia.
Where to stay in Olvera, Cadiz
There is not a ton of accommodation options here as it’s a small town but No 31 Bed & Breakfast is the perfect place to base yourself for a trip to Olvera and the surrounding areas. This apartment-style accommodation offers views of the cathedral and a comfortable living space as well as an amazing host to make you feel at home!
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🏘️ The Prettiest White Villages in Andalucia
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