Olives and Olive Oil in Alhambra and Granada 2024-2025
Local olive groves offer some of the world’s most beautiful views
Best time: December–March
If there is one thing you should know about Andalusia, it's that it produces one-third of Spain's olive oil. As a visitor to this region, you will see hundreds of olive trees that stretch as far as an eye can see.
Small olive groves are run by families, with many still growing their own olives. There is a possibility to take an excursion to the 15th-century olive mill, where you will be shown various tools and told of the archaic laborious efforts required to produce olive oil. The tour will definitely be completed with an olive oil tasting.
You can also participate in olive picking and watch the oil-making process. This is a big tradition for families of the region. Once harvested, olives are taken to mills where they are mashed to a pulp. This pulp is then pressed and filtered for consumption.
The olive harvest usually takes place between December and March.
Practical info
When is the olive harvest in Alhambra and Granada?
The period between December and March is when the olives in Alhambra and Granada reach full ripeness and turn from green to black, making it the perfect time for the olive harvest. During this time, visitors can be a part of the olive-picking excursion. After harvest, the olives are taken to mills to be mashed, pressed, and filtered for consumption.
Where can I take an olive oil tasting tour in the region?
If you are looking for an olive oil tasting tour in the Andalusia region, you can't go wrong with a visit to the 15th-century olive mill. This historic site showcases traditional olive oil production tools and methods. Additionally, you can take an olive oil tasting session and even participate in the olive picking directly from small family-run olive groves.
What is the significance of the 15th-century olive mill in the region?
The 15th-century olive mill is significant in the region for the educational experience it offers visitors. If you visit the mill in Alhambra and Granada, you will learn about traditional methods required to produce olive oil, including the laborious efforts and tools used. The mill offers an olive oil tasting session that can be a part of your trip as well. All of this is part of a unique exploration of the Andalusian culture and its olive harvesting traditions.
How is olive oil produced from harvested olives?
After the olive harvest, the olives are mashed into a pulp, and the oil is then separated by pressing it and being filtered. Although these days, the process has become mechanized. Traditional methods are still practiced in some small olive groves. The olive picking season provides visitors with an opportunity to learn more about olive oil production in Andalusia's different groves, including Alhambra and Granada, through sensory experiences and educational programs.
Are there any specific olive groves where visitors can participate in olive picking?
Participating in olive picking, visitors should target small family-run groves during the olive harvest season running between December and March. While offering the opportunity to participate in the olive-picking process, these groves are also providing visitors with a chance to connect with locals and learn about Andalusian traditions and cultures. Along with the olive picking excursion, tours including an olive oil degustation and oil-making process viewing are also available to visitors in Granada and Alhambra.
