Historically, the town’s origins lie in the time of the Moorish occupation of southern Spain between the 8th and the 13th century. Indeed the name Abanilla itself is derived from the Arabic “Al Banyala” or “Al-Bayada” (white town), and in the 13th century, following the Reconquista of Murcia, the Christians adapted the name to Favanella (in Valenciano) and Havanilla (in Castilian Spanish).
The 
fragment of the cross on which Christ was crucified. This is an object of great devotion in Abanilla, and is central to the 
These buildings make a walk around the town centre a pleasant and interesting experience, but no visit to Abanilla is really complete without a trip out into the countryside. The climate here is among the warmest in the south-east of Spain, with an average year-round temperature of 19ºC, and the landscape is among the most spectacular in the Region of Murcia. The 
but also acts as a floodwater run-off channel, starting in the outlying area of Macisvenda, and among the most spectacular parts of it is the El Cajer canyon. Visitors are strongly advised to take a camera: you won’t be disappointed by this “desert river”, or by the “badlands” which lie on the other side of the town and can be enjoyed as part of 
produced in Abanilla, and they can be enjoyed not only in bars and restaurants in the town and outlying villages, but also in some of the converted cave houses which lie alongside the Chícamo.
HOME > MURCIA CITY & CENTRAL > ABANILLA
Rural Murcia, colourful traditions, rich gastronomy and striking scenery
Abanilla is a small municipality in the north-east of the region of Murcia, bordering on the province of Alicante. It is currently home to approximately 6,500 inhabitants, a figure which has fallen over the last forty years from almost 9,000 as its neighbour Fortuna has grown correspondingly.
Despite the small population, though, Abanilla occupies 236 square kilometres, and the area is sub-divided into 23 outlying areas, the most heavily populated of which are Barinas, Macisvenda and Mahoya.
RECOVERED: 700 priceless ancient fossils stolen from Murcia archaeological sitesThe recovered pieces have been delivered to the archaeological museum of the town of Mula Police in Murcia have managed to recover about 700 “archaeological and paleontological pieces” that have been located in a property of Mula.. 03/07/2024
4 Suggestions for surprising inland tourism in the central Murcia countrysideExplore the history and natural enclaves of Abanilla, Abarán and the Sierra de la Pila! Those who know the Region of Murcia understand that even in the Costa Cálida, with its year-round sunshine and water sports activities, the winter months..
New branch of pilgrimage routes to Caravaca begins in the Alicante town of Granja de RocamoraUlea and Abanilla are also added to the itinerary as places where fragments of the True Cross are venerated As preparations continue for the Holy Jubilee Year in Caravaca de la Cruz in 2024 it has been announced that a new branch of the pilgrimage and.. 06/11/2023
Where is the finest view in the Region of Murcia? The regional tourist board names 17 favouritesThere is a huge variety of views, from Yecla in the north to Águilas in the south, but is your favourite on the list? Choosing the best view in the Region of Murcia is an impossible task, partly because everyone is entitled to their own opinion.. 11/05/2023
Five spectacular sunsets to admire in the Region of Murcia!Great places to watch the sun go down in the Costa Cálida In the promotion of Murcia’s gastronomy the Region has been advertised as “The Region of 1,001 Tastes”, but it would be equally true to refer to it as “The Region..
A walking tour of Abanilla Spend a morning in the characterful town of Abanilla Abanilla is an attractive and characterful town, its compact nature making it the perfect destination for a morning visit, followed by a good lunch and an optional walk in the countryside afterwards..
Leroy Merlin stores in the Region of Murcia: huge range of home, garden and DIY products Everything you need to create your perfect home Leroy Merlin is one of the Region of Murcia’s top suppliers of home, garden and DIY products. With items ranging from garden sheds and power tools to bathroom furniture and air-conditioning, you&rsquo..
Folk dancing festival in Abanilla, first weekend of August Grupo de coros y danzas Stma. Cruz de Abanilla Folk dancing is a core element of Abanilla traditions Abanilla is a municipality which still retains many of its customs and traditions, linked to the agricultural farmlands which are such an essential..
Tourist Information Office Abanilla Oficina de Turismo de Abanilla The tourist information office in Abanilla is centrally located in the heart of the old quarter of Abanilla, just a one minute walk from the town hall. The office is manned by English speaking staff, who are able to..
The Parque de la Ermita in Abanilla This public garden was formerly home to one of the churches of Abanilla The Parque de la Ermita on the western edge of the town of Abanilla, alongside Calle Juan Carlos I as it heads out of town towards Fortuna, is so named because it used to be.. 03/08/2017
1.3 million year old fossils at the Quibas site in Abanilla 1.3-million-year-old fossils can be seen at an interpretation centre in the town of Abanilla In late 1994 a group of walkers in the Sierra de Quibas, in the north–west of the municipality of Abanilla, stumbled across a collection of fossilized bones..
The public washhouse in Abanilla Abanilla boasts one of the few remaining operative wash-houses in the Region of Murcia The “lavadero” of Abanilla is one of the last public wash-houses to be in full working order in the Region of Murcia, and although it is used by only a..
Police and Guardia Civil in Abanilla Emergency telephone numbers in Abanilla The Guardia Civil headquarters is located in an impressive old building at the top of the Calle Mayor, as it reaches the pleasant square of Plaza de la Lonja. Address: Calle Lonja, 2, 30640 Abanilla (Regió..
A history of Abanilla The Moors and the Order of Calatrava shaped the historical development of Abanilla In terms of surface area, Abanilla is a relatively small municipality in the north-east of the Region of Murcia, sharing a border with the province of Alicante, and covering..
The Santa Cruz, the Holy Cross of Abanilla The fragment of the Holy Cross is believed to have appeared in Abanilla in the 17th century One of the defining elements in the character of the town of Abanilla and its inhabitants is the existence in the parish church dedicated to San José of..
The source of the River Chícamo, a 3-kilometre walk in AbanillaThe Chícamo provides a geology lesson taking in the last ten million years! The River Chícamo in Abanilla is one of the best known beauty spots in the landscape of Murcia, and is of special interest not only to walkers but also to naturalists..
