Abanilla is a small town a short drive from both Alicante and Murcia. We found plenty to do to make it a worthwhile morning out, and you can extend it with a hike or two if you are feeling particularly energetic! The painted steps up the statue of Christ are particularly impressive, but there’s plenty more to catch your eye as you wander around the town.
The Giant Cross
At the southern entrance to the town is a huge cross on a roundabout. Parking nearby wasn’t easy but we found the road towards the centre had a few options. Then it was a short walk over the roundabout to get a vantage point for some photos. The cross is huge at 11 metres high, and makes quite an impressive signal letting you know you have arrived in Abanilla!
Moors and Christians
The monument to the local Moors and Christians festival is little different to others you will see in the area. It’s worth heading there though, as there is plenty of parking on Plaza La Purísima where it is located. The festival culminates on 1 May each year and the streets will be alive with fun and festivities if you time your visit well.
Public Laundry
Situated just a few steps from the Moors and Christian monument is the public laundry. It is well signposted and you really shouldn’t miss it. A place with flowing water to wash your clothes in public isn’t everyone’s idea of fun but this one is still in use today even though it dates back to 1880. It is an impressive thing to see but we have to admit to being relieved there was nobody washing their smalls during our visit!!
St Joseph’s Church (San José)
There are many impressive churches in Spain. This one looks like nothing special at first, but let your eyes adjust to the dark and you’ll soon be marvelling at its beauty. The altar is particularly impressive with beautiful frescoes on the ceiling above as well as on the side walls. It’s overindulgence in gold reminded us of many places in Latin America. On the pavement outside there is a brass cross laid into the stone. On 3 May each year there is a romería, a pilgrimage, which sees the faithful walk to nearby Mahoya. It’s only 2.9km if you want to join in.
Placeta de “Los Pajes”
Literally next to the church is the small square dedicated to The Pages. There is little information about the pages, but they play a vital roles in the festivities of the Holy Cross in May. From the translation we have seen it would appear that the pages take part in some shooting competition and will assess the scores reporting back to the team captains. This has been happening since the sixteenth century. If anyone reading this has more information, please tell us in the comments! 2026 is going to be a big year in Abanilla, so look out for more publicity about events.
The Town Hall (Ayuntamiento)
A block away from the church is the square containing the town hall. It has stood here since 1762 although we suspect it has undergone major changes in that time! Over the years it has also been used as a warehouse and a prison.
200 Steps to Heaven
From alongside the town hall, some 200 steps lead up to a statue of Christ. Until 2022 they were nothing special but now they are a work of art! Keep your eyes peeled for the spaceman on the ground half way up and hoopoe on the side near the top. It really is quite impressive but if your eyes struggle going downwards, make sure you hold the rail at the side as the glorious paintings make the uneven steps indistinguishable and arguably slightly dangerous. If the climb up is too much, it is accessible by road as well.
Cave Houses
About half way up you can take a break from the climb and have a look at the whitewashed cave houses. The truth is there’s not an awful lot to see but they are interesting enough. Gradual deterioration of the rocks means there are now nets in place to catch anything falling from above but it’s still wise to be careful!
The Sacred Heart of Jesus
At the top of the stairs you will be rewarded with magnificent views all around Abanilla from the foot of the statue of Christ known as the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Desert plants from around the world can be found in the gardens. You will certainly regain your breath despite the breathtaking vistas all around.
There are some challenging walks to be done in some of the nearby canyons. We didn’t have enough time and instead drove into the Badlands area to the west of the town. There are some trails you can follow if you allow more time than we did! A shorter walk through the olive groves is much easier and the helpful tourist office will give you all the information you need.
Have you been to Abanilla? Let us know what you thought of this lovely little town in the comments below.
