How to visit and what to see in the Botanical Garden of Malaga

In recent years, Malaga city has become one of the main tourist destinations in Andalusia.

This boom is due to the revaluation of its historical Center, with places as emblematic as the cathedral, Gibralfaro castle, Alcazaba or the Larios street, and the recent implementation of different museums.

However, many of its attractions have been there for a long time, although they were probably not valued in their proper measure.

This is the case of Historical Botanical Garden La Concepción, one of the best in Spain and which offers many special details such as being one of the few in all of Europe that, in addition to native vegetation, has numerous examples of tropical and subtropical plants.

It is an exceptional garden in many ways, starting with its size, about 23 hectares, and its long history of more than 160 years.

The garden is located at one end of the urban area, on the right bank of the Guadalmedina River.

It is possible that being a little far from the center, it is not as well known as it should be, but we can affirm that it is one of the most interesting visits that can be made during a tourism trip to Malaga.

Curiosities history La Concepción Botanical Garden in Malaga

The land occupied by the garden was, in the mid-19th century, a series of farms that were dedicated to agriculture.

The Marquises of House Loring They acquired them to build their summer residence.

They then decided to create a garden inspired by the gardens they had known during their travels through Europe.

The place became a meeting point for the bourgeoisie and the cultural, artistic and scientific elite of Malaga and for everyone who passed through the city.

Old Loringiano Archaeological Museum in Malaga

At first the Garden of La Concepción became known in Europe for the collection of archaeological remains which formed the Loringian Museum.

The museum was located in a Greek style temple and where all the pieces that were being acquired were shown.

Some of them are currently in the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid and in the Provincial Archaeological Museum in the Customs House In Malaga.

The garden was progressively expanded, especially after the change of owners.

Since 1990 is property of the Malaga City Council, which has carried out important maintenance and expansion work.

It is currently declared A Cultural.

What is the Botanical Garden of Malaga like?

The set is sometimes defined as a english style garden, although it has other elements, in addition to the changes that have come with the passage of time.

In principle it was not conceived as a botanical garden, but the richness and variety of its plants plus its survival over time has made its botanical wealth of the first magnitude.

One of the characteristics that surprises the first time you visit the garden is that it is located on the side of the mountain.

This peculiar topography led to a very particular design, where the slope is added waterfalls and streams.

A series of constructions within the original garden make it The conception have the name of Historic Botanical Garden.

Among the latests Moravia's compositions More than 3.000 species that are preserved in the garden highlight a series of monumental trees.

The oldest parts of the garden were designed according to aesthetic criteria that, with the development of the plants over the decades and the inclusion of some statues, have created a set with great charm.

Later the garden was expanded, but with more modern and scientific criteria, and thus there are collections of palms, prehistoric plants o cactus that surround the historic garden.

Tropical garden in Malaga

In the botanical question, the most surprising thing is that it is a tropical garden, despite being in Europe, in an area with a Mediterranean climate.

Experts say the park has closed in on itself and created a microclimate and species that do not occur anywhere else on the Peninsula thrive here.

Forming a very extensive complex, with numerous trails, each one can organize the visit in their own way, depending greatly on the time available.

How to visit and what to see in Malaga Botanical Garden

You can also request guided tours, which last an hour and a half.

The entrance is made from the side of the historic garden, where the first part of the visit can take place.

As soon as we enter we will find a pond where can we find aquatic plants.

From here we can continue along the Banana Walk or take a winding path that leads directly towards the Exedra, a curved bench of classical inspiration, which is located next to the temple where the Loringian Museum.

From here the route leads towards the House-Palace passing through a series of roundabouts and gardens where we find a small bridge over a canal and the bust of Amalia Heredia.

La House-Palace is a classic style villa which was the center of the social life of the garden's owners.

On one of the sides we find the arbor with wisteria, and both are the signs of identity of the garden from a historical point of view,

Monumental trees in the Botanical Garden of Malaga

From then on it goes through the oldest part of the garden where we find different monumental trees, sculpture of the Nymph, Mosteras waterfall and garden of González Andreu.

The passage of time has made the garden evolve, not only creating large specimens, but also creating charming corners.

Beyond the historic garden a avenue of palm trees leads to a fascinating set of cactus y succulent plants originating from different places around the world and historic viewpoint.

From here the view extends from the mountains of Malaga to the sea and a good part of the city.

It can return to the historic garden awarded by the Route of the viewpoints or, if you want to do the complete route, follow the forest route that runs through the upper part of the complex before descending towards the ancient era and Centennial Olive Tree.

From there you continue along the world map of palm trees, made up of almost 90 palm trees planted creating a drawing of the continents.

Here you will find very curious specimens such as the foxtail palm tree, the last species of palm tree discovered, in the 80s. All the specimens on this world map are relatively small and young since the garden was created in 1997.

Is most varied palm forest in Europe and when they grow up, it will be the most fascinating and beautiful of all.

Then we find the set known as the Around the World in 80 Trees, which has characteristic species from the five continents.

For example, the Sycamore, with whose wood the sarcophagi of the Egyptian pharaohs were made, or the ficus religiosa, just like the one under which Buddha had the lighting, etc.

Where is and how to get to the Historical Botanical Garden of Malaga

The garden is located in the Botanical Garden Road, 3.

If you do not have your own vehicle, you can access the garden in the tourist bus which has stops at different places of interest, or by taxi.

For the return trip, if you do not find a taxi at the stop, you will need to order one by phone.

Visiting times for the Botanical Garden of Malaga

The Visiting hours of the Botanical Garden of Malaga They are from April to September from 9,30:20,30 a.m. to 9,30:17,30 p.m., and from October to March, from XNUMX:XNUMX a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

It is open every day of the week, except Monday, and is also closed on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1.

Málaga Botanical Garden ticket prices

The price of general admission is 5,20 euros, with a reduced ticket of 3,10 euros for children under 17 years of age, students, retirees, pensioners and card holders. Malaga Pass.

How to visit the Botanical Garden of Malaga for free

You can visit the Botanical Garden of Malaga for free on Sundays, from 14 to 17,30:16,30 p.m., from October to March, and from 20,30:XNUMX to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m., from April to September.

You can sign up for Guided tours of the Botanical Garden of Malaga, lasting an hour and a half, for which you must reserve by calling 951 926 180, and the price depends on the number of visitors that make up the group.