Jardín Botánico-Histórico La Concepción

The Jardín Botánico-Histórico La Concepción is a large subtropical garden on the northern edge of Málaga, in Spain, set on a hillside above the city, and it is one of the best things to do in Málaga in the warmer months. It was created in the mid-nineteenth century by Jorge Loring and Amalia Heredia Livermore, who held the title of Marquises of Casa Loring. Amalia came from a prominent Málaga family and Jorge was a businessman, engineer and a keen traveller, and together they used the estate to collect plants from across the world, which arrived at the port of Málaga on trading ships. The garden grew into a showcase, with a house, terraces, a lake and paths designed to display the collection.

After changing hands in the twentieth century, the estate was acquired by the city of Málaga in the 1990s and opened to the public, and it was protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. Few places in Europe have such a large collection of subtropical species growing outdoors, since Málaga’s mild winters allow plants from Asia, the Americas and Africa to flourish. The collection includes thousands of species, among them tall palms, giant bamboos, bougainvillea, ferns, cycads and trees from several continents.

The layout of the garden is a mix of formal and wild. Paths wind between dense planting and open terraces, with waterfalls, ponds, bridges and small pavilions along the way. A famous viewpoint is the Loring Temple, a small neoclassical building on a terrace from which the garden and the city are visible. A pergola of climbing plants gives shade, and in spring the wisteria and bougainvillea create bursts of colour. The Loring Museum, a small building in the grounds, keeps Roman inscriptions and archaeological pieces collected by the family.

The garden is a good place to escape summer heat, because the thick planting gives shade and the air is cooler near the water. Birdsong and the sound of falling water are constant. Visitors can walk independently or join a guided tour, which is helpful for understanding the plants and the history of the estate. There is a cafeteria for refreshments, and the garden is at Camino del Jardín Botánico, a few kilometres from the centre.

The garden’s hours vary with the season, with longer opening in summer, and it closes on certain holidays, so check the current schedule and ticket arrangements. It is reached by bus or taxi, and the visit takes about two hours. It pairs well with a morning in the old town, around the Alcazaba, the Cathedral and Calle Larios.