Botanical Gardens in Malaga
Updated April 2026
Most visitors to Malaga spend their time in the historic centre, and fair enough — the cathedral, the Alcazaba, the museums are all worth your time. But if you’re after somewhere that offers a genuine change of pace, La Concepción botanical gardens are hard to beat.
Eight kilometres north of the city, this 23-hectare estate has been quietly growing since 1855, when two wealthy locals planted tropical species from around the world across what was then open countryside. The result is something genuinely unexpected: a black bamboo forest, ancient palms, a wisteria arbour that never fails to amaze, and views over the city from a hilltop mirador that remind you just how much Malaga has changed in 170 years.
It’s not a manicured showpiece. It’s a real botanical garden — shaded paths, some decent gradients, a café by the entrance — and you’ll need a couple of hours to do it properly. Worth it? Yes, easily.
Are the gardens worth it?
If you’re in Malaga for a long weekend and your itinerary is already full, La Concepción probably isn’t worth including. But if you have a free morning – or you’re the kind of traveller who likes getting off the beaten trail – then yes, absolutely.
At €5.20 entry it’s not expensive, the bus ride out is straightforward, and the gardens are quiet enough on a weekday that you can actually enjoy them. Come in spring and the wisteria alone justifies the trip. Come early in the summer to avoid the heat and make sure the slope up to the mirador earns its views. Families with kids will find enough to keep them engaged; anyone who finds city sightseeing exhausting will find it genuinely restorative.
Best time to visit
We think the gardens are worth it at any time of year, and there’s always something lovely to see.
| Season | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Spring | Wisteria (mid-March to early April), spring flowers, first shoots on trees |
| Summer | Lots of cool, shady spots in the main gardens, fruit on trees and vines |
| Autumn | One of the few spots in Malaga that you can see beautiful colours in the leaves |
| Winter | Clear light, lots of evergreen foliage, oranges and lemons on the trees |
Autumn in the gardens
The video below shows autumn scenes from the gardens, one of the few places in Malaga where you can enjoy fall colours in the trees.
The History
La Concepción gardens and house were built in 1855 when two members of Malaga’s rising bourgeois class, Amalia de Heredia Livermore and Jorge Enrique Loring Oyarzabal, got married. Between them, they brought and ordered plants and trees from all round the world and created a tropical oasis throughout the 23-hectare site.
Did you know?
The bamboo forests at La Concepción are the oldest in Spain and over 150 years old. They’re mainly Phyllostachys nigra (black bamboo) and Bambusa vulgaris (common bamboo), both originally from China.
The Layout
The gardens have several clearly defined areas including the historic gardens with water features and the main house; the Around the World in 80 Trees section; the Forest Pathway that takes you through pine woods; and the western section with the mirador and plane tree walkway. Ask for a map when you buy your ticket.
Best things to see
Different parts of these gardens in Malaga will appeal to different people but for us, the best places are:
Black bamboo forest
La Concepción has several bamboo plantations with impressive sized trunks, but our favourite is the black bamboo forest. Most of the bamboo is in the lower part of the garden, but you’ll also point some giant sticks in among the waterfalls near the main house.
Hydraulic-tiled floors
The house isn’t generally open to the public but a peep in the windows gives you an idea of what it’s like inside. The floors are covered in stunning colourful hydraulic tiles. Don’t miss the central patio with its colonial-style wrought-iron work.
Mirador
This was added in the early 20th century and has amazing views of Malaga and the sea. When it was built, you looked out over country estates and farm land. Over a century later and the views are mostly urban, but it’s still quite something to look over the city and see the Cathedral and Port far below you.
Palm trees
Whether they’re original or newly planted, the palm trees at La Concepción are simply stunning. Admire the older and very, very lofty ones in the historical garden and the newer trees in the palm tree avenue. We liked the Bismarck Palm for its unusual leaves and the Cuban Palm for its sleek grey trunk ringed in distinctive white.
Did you know?
La Concepción is home to 86 species of palm trees, from all around the world. The oldest palms in the gardens are over 100.
Wisteria arbour
La Concepción is most famous for its wisteria in 1857, planted over a wire arbour next to the house. The flowering in March/April is nothing short of spectacular and it’s worth making the visit for the sight and scent of this alone.
Around the world in 80 trees
Travel across the continents as you walk along the route admiring trees from almost everywhere.
Top tips
- Lose yourself in the gardens and get off the beaten track.
- To avoid the crowds, visit during the week.
- Go last thing to see the sunset from the mirador.
- Look out for special events such as concerts, plays, themed visits (such as Halloween) and evening guided tours. Our free fortnightly Newsletter includes details – sign up here.
Did you know?
La Concepción is full of plane trees (plátano de sombra in Spanish), some of them as old as the gardens themselves. The oldest is by the Casita del Jardinero, and its trunk measures over 5m in diameter.
Getting there
These gardens in Malaga are situated about 8km north of the city centre.
By bus
You have 2 options
- Take the 2 bus from Alameda Principal and get off at the last stop. Follow the green pavement to the gardens (about 15 minutes easy walk). Buses run every 10-15 minutes.
- Take the 91 bus from the main bus station and get off at the botanical gardens. Buses leave every 90 minutes (timetable here – click on the imagen to read).
By bike
Follow the cycle lane north past La Rosaleda. When the cycle lane ends, turn right and then left onto the Camino de Casabermeja and follow the signs to La Concepción Jardín Botánico. It’s a flat ride except for a bit of a slope over two bridges. Allow 40 minutes from the centre.
By car
The gardens have two car parks: a smaller one nearer the entrance and a larger one further down the road, from where it’s a 5-10-minute walk to the entrance.
By taxi
The journey takes about 10 minutes from the city centre and costs around €15.
Accessibility
The gardens have some firm tracks so wheelchair users can visit sections of the gardens. The historic gardens with their narrow paths and steps are difficult to visit.
Note too that there’s quite a steep slope up to the house.
Length of visit
The gardens aren’t very big but allow a whole morning or afternoon to explore the different areas.
Need to know
Opening hours
April – September Tues-Sun 9.30am-8.30pm; October – March Tues-Sun 9.30am-5.30pm
Admission
€5.20 for adults; €3.10 for children up to 16, students up to 25, the 65+
Free entry on Sundays: 1 October to 31 March, 2 to 5.30pm; 1 April to 30 September, 4.30 to 8.30pm. Note that the gardens are super busy on Sunday afternoons.
Note that you’re allowed to stay in the gardens for up to 90 minutes after closing time.
🐕 Dogs are allowed in the gardens, but they must be on the lead at all times and never leave the designated paths. Owners must sign a form at the entrance.
Refreshments
There’s a small café serving drinks, snacks and main meals to the right of the main entrance. There are also drink dispensing machines and plenty of picnic areas.
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