Oleotourism is a unique experience. Thousands of people have enjoyed this tourism whose protagonist is extra virgin olive oil and the wide variety of offers available.
But you may be wondering: What exactly is oleotourism?
If you are passionate about olive oil, and you are looking for a different alternative for your travels, you are in luck.
Find out everything you need to know about olive tourism and why it attracts foreigners from all over the world, such as the United States, China and Japan.
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What is oleotourism?
Oleotourism consists of learning about the production process of olive oil, one of the best delicacies we can enjoy in Mediterranean gastronomy.
Through different activities, we will be able to see the cultivation of the olive grove, observe the harvesting of the olives in the fields and go through their extraction and packaging in the oil mill.
In addition, we will also enjoy different experiences such as oil tasting and even become olive growers for a day.
Oleotourism in Jaén
With more than 500,000 cultivated hectares, Jaén is the leading province in Andalusia in the production of extra virgin olive oil.
This is why the province has created a fantastic tourist attraction around its liquid gold that continues to grow year after year.
If you would like to discover Jaén’s routes to discover its best olive oil, read on to discover our suggestions for a unique and special getaway.
La Loma y Las Villas
Located in the centre of the province of Jaén, this historic region stands out for having the first tourist oil mill in Andalusia: the Oleícola San Francisco in Begíjar.
Founded in 1927, this olive oil mill has become an obligatory stop in olive oil tourism if you want to discover the secrets of extra virgin olive oil.
Another renowned oil mill is Cortijo Espiritu Santo, which offers a pack to visit its olive grove and oil mill, as well as a tasting session that will stimulate all your senses.
Furthermore, within the region of La Loma y las Villas we find Úbeda and Baeza, two cities named as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 2003.
In Baeza you will find the Olive Culture Museum, located inside the Hacienda La Laguna, with different activities to immerse yourself in its great variety of olive trees.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to visit the city of Úbeda, we recommend the Olivar y Aceite interpretation centre, where you can learn about the origins of the olive oil production process up to the present day.
Cazorla Mountains
When you hear the name of this region, the first thing that comes to mind is the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park, declared a biosphere reserve in 1983.
However, the Sierra de Cazorla region also offers an ideal setting for oleotourism.
The oleotour of guided visits on a tourist train through Cazorla is worth highlighting:
- Visits to the Aceites Cazorla cooperative (oil mill, winery, bottling plant, etc.).
- Visit to the Regulatory Council of the Sierra de Cazorla Designation of Origin.
- Olive oil tasting.
You will also be able to visit the Historical Oil Mill Museum of La Almedina, a 19th century farmhouse where you can learn about how olive juice is stored in its different forms.
The Northern Countryside of Jaén
Formed by the union of the counties of Campiña de Jaén and Comarca Norte, this territory allows us to discover Oro Bailén, considered in 2013 to be the best olive-oil mill in Spain.
There we can discover how olive growing and olive oil technology works in an experience that will not disappoint anyone.
Another outstanding olive oil mill is Cortijo la Torre. Located in Arjona, Cortijo la Torre offers us a very special room with oil tasting glasses, where we will try its famous blind tasting.
Sierra de Segura
In addition to the Borosa River and the Yelmo, in Sierra de Segura you can learn about the culture of extra virgin olive oil at the Oleofer oil mill. There you can learn about the secrets and differences between the different types of oil thanks to the different varieties of olives.
We can also combine the experience at Oleofer with a visit to Segura’s Castle, or if we choose the option of the Oleotranco voucher, we will enjoy a route in a solar boat on the Tranco reservoir.
Sierra Mágina
As if it were a rocky island, the Sierra de Mágina has several olive oil mills available, with the OleoZumo mill in Mancha Real standing out.
Among its different experiences, the following stand out:
- Visit the oil mill and learn about the processes necessary to produce the oil until it reaches the consumer.
- Master Olive Oil Maker, where we will be responsible for transforming the olives into extra virgin olive oil.
- Olive grower for a day, available between November and February.
And if you want more, OleoZumo can make a tailor-made plan for you if you want to go hiking, cycling or discover the deepest corners of Jaén.
Sierra Sur de Jaén
We finish our recommendations of olive oil tourism routes with two olive mills that stand out for their olive oil interpretation centres located in the region of Sierra Sur de Jaén.
The first of these is the Oleocampo interpretation centre. Its facilities have a space for the exclusive use of tourists where they can learn about the benefits of olive oil, as well as its cultural heritage.
The second is San Amador, located in the municipality of Martos. This interpretation centre specializes in the quality of extra virgin olive oils.
A unique experience for your palate
You already know all the routes to get to know Jaén’s olive oils first-hand thanks to olive oil tourism. Let us know if you have been able to enjoy this tourism or share it to start organizing your first olive oil tourism with friends and family.
If, on the other hand, you are eager to dip your bread in olive oil because your mouth is watering, you can enjoy our gourmet quality olive oils from today and take the experience home with you.
