Embark on a journey through time and nature at the stunning La Concepción Botanical and Historical Garden. With over fifty years of history, this outdoor oasis is one of the most beautiful and important tropical and subtropical gardens in Spain, and a cultural treasure protected as a Property of Cultural Interest (BIC).
Explore its lively and colorful paths, where over 50,000 specimens of more than 2,000 different species await you, including tropical, subtropical, and native plants. Admire the majesty of the palms, the exoticism of the bamboo, and the beauty of the aquatic plants.
Since the City Council of Malaga took over its management in 1990, the garden has been renovated and adapted with new spaces and thematic gardens, making it a must-visit place in the city. They founded the Municipal Botanical Board “City of Malaga” for its management, and since then, it has become a treasure within reach of everyone.
YOU HAVE TO VISIT IT! HERE WE ONLY TELL YOU, AND THERE YOU WILL LIVE IT!
History of La Concepción Botanical Garden
The estate was built in 1855 and belonged to one of the most influential families in Malaga, the Marquises of Casa Loring. It was this family that collected a great heritage of both archaeological and botanical items, some of which remain to this day.
In 1911, the estate was acquired by the Echevarría family, who improved the garden and expanded the collection of trees and palms.
From 1963, the estate fell into progressive neglect, until it was acquired by the Malaga City Council.
What can we see at the La Concepción Botanical Garden?
The botanical garden covers an area of around 25 hectares, of which 3.5 hectares belong to the historic garden located in the center of the botanical garden. The rest of the space is made up of modern thematic gardens, monumental buildings, fountains, waterfalls, viewpoints, and a large area of native Mediterranean forest.
Some areas of interest in the La Concepción Botanical Garden
Historic-Artistic Garden
In the HISTORIC GARDEN, the oldest and most important specimens can be found, those that were planted by the Loring family in the 1950s. Specimens such as enormous ficus trees, century-old palm trees, cedars, etc., some of them unique in Spain and Europe.
This garden contains numerous ponds, waterfalls, bridges, small lakes, greenhouses, viewpoints, and the well-known Loringian Museum.
It has been the setting for advertisements, such as the famous Colombian Coffee advertisement, and numerous movies like Bambú (1945), Alba de América (1951), Erik the Viking (1964), Marbella, a five-star blow (1984), and many more.
Wisteria Pergola
One of the most beautiful parts of the garden is the WISTERIA PERGOLA. Wisteria is one of the most beautiful plants that bloom at the beginning of spring, with lilac-colored flowers. A climbing species native to China.
This plant, planted around 1857, envelops the iron pergola and even climbs on the palm and ficus trees around it. Events are held here, especially in spring, when the plant shows all its beauty.
The blooming spectacle of wisteria only lasts for about 15 days a year, usually at the end of March or beginning of April.
The Nymph’s Pond
In the historic garden, we can find a fountain whose main figure is a STONE NYMPH, a thoughtful, naked, seated woman, holding a jug from which water flows.
This nymph leads us to an area with carefully trimmed hedges and plants inside the hedges, in the French style. It is worth noting this French style since the historic garden in general is done in the English style.
Behind the nymph, we find a century-old blue palm tree, one of the most valuable botanical specimens in the Concepción Garden.
It is wonderful to see the bluish color of the leaves of this palm tree depending on the reflections of sunlight.
Loringian Museum
The LORINGIAN MUSEUM, in Doric style, houses a collection of archaeological pieces that the Marquises of the Casa Loring gathered during the second half of the 19th century from excavations, financed by them, carried out in the city of Malaga.
Modern Thematic Gardens or Botanical Garden
These gardens are located around the historic garden and are organized collections created by the City Council of Malaga to give a modern touch to the botanical garden, a beautiful garden for strolling.
Some of the collections of these gardens:
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Around the World in Eighty Trees — “species with value for humans, either for their fruits, wood or medicinal use from the 5 continents.”
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It presents the most frequent species of the five continents. A path with trees on both sides and arranged according to the continent. A total of about 80 specimens. Trees as representative as figs, olives, lindens, strawberry trees, magnolias, tulip trees, grevilleas, etc. We also find bushes, vines, and herbaceous plants from each of the continents.
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The palm tree map — an imaginary map where each palm tree is located in the place of the map that corresponds to its country of origin.
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About 70 species of palm trees from all continents distributed in the form of a world map. The difficulty of growing these tropical species in the open air gives them great value, being one of the most outstanding collections in the garden.
A central linear path that simulates the equator with palm trees planted in the place that corresponds to them depending on their origin.
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Cactus garden — a collection of succulent plants donated by Mr. Nikolaus Kornelly.
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We can find all succulent plants here, located behind the city viewpoint.
In the center of this garden are the cacti, which are the most representative of the succulents. You can find Yuccas, Aloes, Opuntias, and Agaves.
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Biodiversity rockery — represents the characteristic Mediterranean flora in the form of terraces.
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With mainly shrubs and creeping plants, from different places in the world where there is a Mediterranean climate, from North Africa, Europe, and other parts of the world such as Australia, South Africa, Chile, or California. There is also a zone for the recovery of endangered native plants.
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Primitive plants — plants that have survived for years on our planet.
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Here we can find the famous Ginkgo biloba, among other species.
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Bamboo collection — next to the gardener’s house, a magnificent collection.
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The black bamboo forest stands out here with just over 1000 m2 and the common bamboo forest with 150 years old.
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Hot House — an old glass kiosk converted into a greenhouse with the conditions of tropical forests.
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This greenhouse is located at the entrance of the historical garden and reproduces the optimal conditions for the growth of tropical plants, with a collection of about 170 different species, including epiphytic plants such as bromeliads and orchids, as well as carnivorous plants.
Buildings of interest in the garden of La Concepción
In the La Concepción Botanical Garden, there are several buildings of historical and architectural interest that were frequently visited by distinguished figures of the 19th century, such as the Palace-House, the House of the Cypresses, the Gardener’s House, the Administrator’s House, the Old School, and the old greenhouses. Additionally, there are laboratories for research personnel, an exhibition hall, a large auditorium, the Loringian Museum, and a dome-lookout with panoramic views of the city.
There are organized routes in the garden, so don’t hesitate to ask for them!!
How to get to the Botanical-Historical Garden of La Concepción?
The Botanical-Historical Garden of La Concepción is located on the outskirts of Malaga, on the Pedrizas road. Here are some options to get there:
By car: If you have a car, the easiest way to get there is by following the Pedrizas road (A-45) until exit 148. There is a free parking lot for visitors.
By bus: You can also get there by bus. Line 2 of the EMT (Malaga Transport Company) has a stop at the garden’s entrance. Other lines that will take you close to the garden are 61, 65, and 75.
By taxi: Another option is to take a taxi, which will take you directly to the garden.
By bike: For the more sporty visitors, it is possible to get to the garden by bike, although keep in mind that the route is uphill and can be a bit demanding.
Contact Information
Address: Camino del Jardín Botánico, 3, 29014 Málaga, Spain
Ticket and Information Phone: +34 951 926 180
Email: info@laconcepcion.malaga.eu
Website: http://www.laconcepcion.malaga.eu
Opening Hours of the Botanical Garden La Concepción
From April 1st to September 30th: 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
From October 1st to March 31st: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Visitors are allowed to stay in the garden for up to half an hour after closing time.
Closed on December 24th, 25th, 31st, and January 1st, as well as every Monday.
