La Oliva, Fuerteventura: Holiday Guide for UK Travellers
Provincia de Las Palmas · Canary Islands · Spain · 25,884 residents
La Oliva is an inland town of around 25,900 people, set about 225 metres above sea level on Fuerteventura. It is not on the coast, and that is its quiet appeal: you sleep away from the shoreline yet reach a string of beaches, from Playa de Tebeto to Playa de Jarubio, in roughly 6 to 8 miles. The protected lava landscape of Malpaís de la Arena begins just 2 miles out of town. Fuerteventura airport, with direct flights from the United Kingdom, is a 16-minute drive away. The weather rarely gets in the way, with daytime highs of 21°C to 29°C and barely any rain in any month.
Why go
- Malpaís de la Arena, a protected natural area, lies only about 2 miles from the town.
- Fuerteventura airport has direct UK flights and sits just a 16-minute drive away.
- Every month is a good month, with highs from 21°C in February to 29°C in August.
Top sights in La Oliva
Lava Fields and Nearby Beaches
The most notable sight close to La Oliva is Malpaís de la Arena, a protected area about 2 miles from town. It is the natural first outing, and the obvious choice if you came to Fuerteventura for landscape as much as sand.
For the beach, the town sits within easy reach of several stretches suited to families. Playa de Tebeto is about 6.5 miles away, while El Veril de Santiago, Playa La Cabezuela and Playa Los Picachos are each around 6 miles off. A little further, Playa de la Mujer is roughly 7.5 miles away and Playa de Jarubio about 8 miles.
Tours, activities and tickets in and around La Oliva can be booked directly on this page through the booking cards below.
1protected area
Playa de Tebeto
beach · 7 miles from the centre
El Veril de Santiago
beach · 6 miles from the centre
Playa La Cabezuela
beach · 6 miles from the centre
Playa de la Mujer
beach · 8 miles from the centre
Playa de Jarubio
beach · 8 miles from the centre
Playa Los Picachos
beach · 6 miles from the centre
Tours & tickets in La Oliva
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around La Oliva can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in La Oliva
Staying Inland or Near the Sea
La Oliva itself is inland and raised at about 225 metres, so a stay in town means a quieter base among the island's interior, with the coast a short drive away rather than outside the door. It suits travellers who prefer to choose a different beach each day.
If you would rather wake up by the water, the coastal places on the nearby list, such as El Cotillo at about 7 miles or the larger Corralejo at about 9 miles, offer an alternative base. This page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options for your dates.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach La Oliva and the villages around it is a hire car from Fuerteventura (FUE), about 16 min away.
Best time to visit La Oliva
A Year-Round Climate
- 22°CJan4 mm
- 21°CFeb19 mm
- 23°CMar9 mm
- 25°CApr4 mm
- 24°CMay8 mm
- 26°CJun8 mm
- 28°CJul1 mm
- 29°CAug5 mm
- 27°CSept3 mm
- 28°COct8 mm
- 26°CNov9 mm
- 22°CDec11 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Every month of the year counts as pleasant in La Oliva. Winter is mild, with January and December highs of around 22°C and lows near 14°C, which makes it a natural escape from a British winter.
The hottest stretch runs from July to October, peaking in August at around 29°C by day and 20°C at night. February is the wettest month, though that still means only about 19 mm of rain across five days; July typically sees no rain days at all. Sea temperatures are not recorded in our data.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22°C | 14°C | 4 mm | 10 h |
| Feb | 21°C | 14°C | 19 mm | 10 h |
| Mar | 23°C | 14°C | 9 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 25°C | 16°C | 4 mm | 12 h |
| May | 24°C | 16°C | 8 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 26°C | 18°C | 8 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 28°C | 19°C | 1 mm | 12 h |
| Aug | 29°C | 20°C | 5 mm | 11 h |
| Sept | 27°C | 19°C | 3 mm | 12 h |
| Oct | 28°C | 19°C | 8 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 26°C | 17°C | 9 mm | 10 h |
| Dec | 22°C | 14°C | 11 mm | 9 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights and Ferries from the UK
The nearest airport is Fuerteventura (FUE), about 12 miles from La Oliva, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. The drive from the terminal takes around 16 minutes, so car hire on arrival makes good sense.
If you are combining islands, the port at Corralejo, about 9 miles away, has a 30-minute ferry crossing to Playa Blanca on Lanzarote. Playa Blanca is roughly 18 miles away and Arrecife about 34 miles, with Arrecife linking to Las Palmas and back to Corralejo via Playa Blanca.
By air
- Fuerteventura (FUE)12 miles, about 16 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Corralejo (9 miles), Playa Blanca (18 miles), Arrecife (34 miles).
La Oliva is good for
Around La Oliva
Day Trips from La Oliva
The closest outing is El Cotillo, a small place of around 1,200 people about 7 miles away. Puerto del Rosario, the largest town on the list with roughly 35,700 residents, and Corralejo are both about 9 miles off.
Further afield, tiny Betancuría lies about 15 miles away, while Pájara and Tuineje are each around 21 miles. The most distant names on the list, El Golfo at about 26 miles and Puerto del Carmen at about 27 miles, are best planned as a full day, using the ferry from Corralejo to Playa Blanca as your link.
Tips from Robin
Practical Points Before You Go
La Oliva is inland and not on the coast, so every beach day involves a drive of 6 miles or more; booking car hire at Fuerteventura airport will save you a great deal of fuss.
The town sits at around 225 metres, so evenings can feel a touch cooler than on the shore, particularly from December to March when lows dip to about 14°C. Pack a light layer even in high summer.
With rain so scarce, sun protection matters all year, not only in the hotter months from July to October.
Questions people ask
How far is La Oliva from Fuerteventura airport?
Fuerteventura airport (FUE) is about 12 miles from La Oliva, and the drive takes around 16 minutes. The airport has direct flights from the United Kingdom, so the transfer is short once you land.
Is La Oliva on the beach?
No, La Oliva is an inland town at about 225 metres above sea level. The nearest beaches, including El Veril de Santiago, Playa La Cabezuela and Playa Los Picachos, are around 6 miles away, with Playa de Tebeto about 6.5 miles off.
What is the weather like in La Oliva in winter?
Winter is mild and dry. January and December reach about 22°C by day with lows near 14°C. February is the wettest month, but even then rainfall is only around 19 mm spread over roughly five days.
When is the hottest time to visit La Oliva?
August is the hottest month, with highs of about 29°C and lows around 20°C. July and October are close behind at roughly 28°C. July is also the driest month, typically with no rain days.
Can I visit Lanzarote from La Oliva?
Yes. The port at Corralejo is about 9 miles from La Oliva, and ferries cross to Playa Blanca on Lanzarote in around 30 minutes, which makes a day across the water straightforward.
What is there to see near La Oliva?
The standout nearby sight is Malpaís de la Arena, a protected natural area about 2 miles from town. A handful of family-friendly beaches lie between 6 and 8 miles away, including Playa de la Mujer and Playa de Jarubio.