Contemporary pastoral chic
14 Guests
7 Bedrooms
8 Bathrooms
Oliva is an architect-designed, luxurious take on a traditional Sicilian baglio, characterised by a shady internal courtyard garden enclosed on each side by living and sleeping quarters. Beyond is the panoramic pool and the whispering olive groves that so characterise south-western Sicily.
Speak to our experts
For expert advice on this villa, things to do in the area, or to discuss how we can make your stay truly bespoke, call our Villa Specialists today. We are open every day of the week, weekends included.
Keyholder highlights
- Beautifully designed
- Flexible accommodation
- Panoramic sea-view pool
- Tranquil olive grove setting
Gallery
Ariel views of Oliva
Relaxing sea views from the pool area.
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The inviting pool and house.
The long sandy beach of the nearby Belice Nature Reserve.
The poolside terrace is furnished for dining and relaxing.
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The terrace is accessed from the main living room.
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The Area
Some of Sicily's best beaches run along the coast between Mazara del Vallo and Agrigento and many of these, including the ones at the Belice Nature Reserve and Porto Palo, are just a few minutes' drive from Oliva.
Not to be missed is the superb archaeological site of Selinunte and the Cave di Cusa, followed, perhaps, by a superb lunch or dinner at the seafront restaurant La Pineta on the beach of the Belice Nature Reserve. Several of the towns nearby are also well worth a visit. Sciacca and Mazara del Vallo both have charming old centres, some great seafood restaurants and working ports with large fishing fleets working the Mediterranean daily. A little further afield but still in easy day-trip distance are Marsala, Trapani and Erice. Caltabellotta is spectacularly situated in the craggy hills overlooking both coast and interior, while Menfi itself is an up-and-coming centre of excellence for the wine trade.
The beaches in the area of Porto Palo-Menfi have received over 20 consecutive "Bandiere Blu", attesting to the cleanliness of the water and their general ecological excellence.
Cycling in the Menfi area is a very pleasurable pastime, thanks to both the quiet back roads and the purpose-built cycle track along and around the old railway line between Menfi, Porto Palo and Sciacca. We’d be delighted to have bikes delivered to your villa and, if anyone in your group is an inveterate pedaller, arrange for a local guide to show them the best routes.
Trapani airport:
75km-47miles-1hr5Palermo airport:
102km-63miles-1hr15Catania airport:
140km-87miles-3hrComiso airport:
198km-123miles-3hrSandy beach:
a 5-minute drive away at the Belice Nature Reserve and 10-minute drive to Porto PaloShops and restaurants:
Menfi12km-7.5miles-15mins and Castelvetrano 20mins driveSciacca:
30km-19miles-35minsSelinunte:
20km-12.5miles-20minsAgrigento:
88km-55miles-1hr30Local Experiences
Culinary experiences in Western Sicily
Every civilisation that dominated Sicily was inspired by the produce this fertile land offers. In western Sicily it was the Arabs, French and Spanish who shaped the roots of the local culinary tradition, that went on to develop throughout the centuries into the unique, rich and eclectic specialities we find there today.
Discover
Private Guided Tours in Southwest Sicily
Our private guides are tried and tested experts in their field, with many holding PhDs in their particular specialism. Book a tour or two with them and you'll come away with fascinating insights into your destination's towns, archaeological sites, food, wine, landscapes and geology.
Discover
Beach clubs in Southwest Sicily
The southern coast of Sicily is a broken line of sandy beaches and cliffs, dotted with the remains of Greek colonies such as Selinunte and Agrigento, and the odd modern metropolis. In the southwest are the seaside towns of Porto Palo di Menfi and Sciacca, with its large fishing fleet, the coastal nature reserves of Foce del Belice, Foce del Platani and Torre Salsa, all with gorgeous unspoilt beaches, and the historic site of Eraclea Minoa, which boasts a long expanse of sand flanked by fragrant pine woods. Also along this section of coast are the bright white chalk cliffs and bathing area of the Scala dei Turchi.
Discover
Wine tastings in Southwest Sicily
The triangle of Menfi, Marsala and Sciacca is one of the oldest outpost for wine production in Sicily thanks to the versatile and mite climate created by the sea breeze coming from the coast. Some of the most important Sicilian indigenous grapes, such as Grillo and Inzolia were born here and throughout the centuries have been wisely combined to produce among the most popular wines of the region. If you want to start exploring Sicilian wine you should probably start here, and we would be pleased to help.
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Bike rental
Menfi, that haven of vineyard-carpeted hills sloping down to crystalline-sea-lapped sandy beaches, has redefined the term “riding the rails”. Where a narrow gauge freight railway once ran, connecting Sciacca, Menfi and Porto Palo, there are now 20km of cycle paths, allowing locals and visitors alike to pedal (or run) through the area’s gorgeous landscapes without worrying about traffic. It’s an ideal way to discover the area and you can even stop off for a swim in the waters of the Mediterranean to cool off.
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Culinary experiences in West Sicily
The west of Sicily is a great destination for food lovers. Inland, the scenery is dominated by vast expanses of vineyards and olive groves, and some of Sicily's best wines – for example those of the Alcamo, Trapani, Erice and Marsala areas - and olive oils are produced in this corner of the island. Restaurant menus offer a fabulous array of fresh fish and seafood dishes. Fish cous cous is one of the signature dishes, a tradition that is celebrated every September at San Vito’s international Cous Cous Fest. Other stand-out specialities include busiate al pesto trapanese - a homemade pasta served with a pesto of tomatoes, garlic, almonds and basil - and spaghetti alla bottarga - salt-cured tuna fish roe grated on steaming pasta.
DiscoverFrom the Guest Book
Read the thoughtful reviews that travellers have left after their time with us.
We had an enjoyable holiday at Oliva, thanks. The outdoor dining area and the large lounge with access to the pool area were invaluable. We have often had villas and not used the indoor space much but this lounge was large, light and airy, so great for reading etc. Plus the quality of the bedrooms in the main house was good. The local support team and villa staff were excellent.
MJB July 2024
Oliva was exactly what we were looking for and furbished to a very high standard throughout. I was really very impressed with TTT, particularly given the short-term nature of the booking and the flexibility re COVID.
JR, United Kingdom September 2020
The staff and onsite representative were outstanding.
KC, United States of America July 2019
The housekeeper is what makes Oliva really special. She is warm and attentive and her cooking is wonderfully tasty and traditional - we all wished we could bring her to London with us!
Miss Ambra Paternò Castello, Switzerland August 2018
Oliva is a lovely villa and we had a great experience. We had a thoroughly enjoyable trip and Oliva was great for our sizeable family group from our 2 year old to our 90 year old grandmother. We will book again and would highly recommend, Thank you.
Dr Ashok Adams, United Kingdom June 2018
Oliva was fantastic, I would go back to any house the housekeeper was at, she exceeds expectations.
AS, United States of America September 2017
