If you’re wondering whether it’s worth visiting the Malaga Botanical Garden, you came to the right place!
As someone who has had the pleasure of visiting the Malaga Botanical Garden countless times, I’m here to guide you through this hidden gem.
Whether you’re a local resident or a traveler seeking a peaceful respite, this article is your ultimate guide.
To get right to the point: YES, the botanical gardens are certainly worth visiting, and I’m confident that they will be the highlight of your trip to Malaga.
Tip:
Nestled just a stone’s throw away from the bustling city, these gardens offer a serene retreat into nature’s embrace and away from the tourist crowds of central Malaga.
It’s not the usual garden with a few plants and benches as you probably imagine, it feels much more like a lush jungle tucked away at the edge of the city.
The spectacular botanical display, picnic spots and countless photo opportunities are enough reasons to add this place to your ‘must see’ list!
Join me as we discover the best it has to offer, from secret corners to the most picturesque spots.
Malaga Botanical Garden: Best Time to Visit
So let’s cover the crucial question – when is the best time to visit the garden?
If you’re staying in Malaga in the summer months, you should time the visit for early morning hours – as soon as it opens – or late afternoon to avoid the mid-day sun.
The vegetation of the garden offers plenty of shade, but it will still feel very hot even in the shade in the summer months.
If you’re wondering what time of the year is the best to visit, I highly recommend spring or autumn. In spring, especially in April / May, you will get a chance to see the wisteria in the garden in full bloom, and it’s absolutely spectacular!
My photos from the garden were taken in early April, so you can get a reference how it looks like in spring time.
To avoid crowds, I also recommend visiting during the weekdays and not weekends.
History of Malaga Botanical Garden
La Concepción Botanical Garden in Málaga has a history spanning over 150 years, starting around 1855 by Jorge Loring and Amalia Heredia.
Initially a private recreational estate, it transitioned to public ownership in 1990.
Its rich botanical collection features over 50,000 plants from 2,000 species, including a notable assortment of palms.
After changing hands and enduring decline, the garden was revitalized and expanded by Málaga City Council, now also including thematic gardens and a preserved Mediterranean forest (source).
Malaga Botanical Garden: Entrance & Tickets
Standard tickets to the garden cost €5.20 for adult, and a reduced price €3.10 for students, pensioners, children up to 16 years old, and large families. Children under the age of 6 can enter for free.
As I mentioned, the garden is free to enter on Sundays, so you can expect it to be quite busy.
You can also get guided tours starting from €18, check the details and prices on their website here.
What to See in Malaga Botanical Garden
The garden is divided into a few sections, and at the entrance they also provide an easy to follow map to guide you through – check the online version here.
Start with the oldest part of the garden – the historical part – and make your way all the way to the cactus garden and all the other parts. The map also marks how difficult the individual paths are, and where you can take a rest and make a break.
I won’t go into details about the different botanical collections on display, you can check them all out in this detailed overview, and here are my favourite parts you should check out (and find in the map):
- the arbour – iron pergola covered in blooming wisteria
- Loring Museum
- Nymph’s Pond
- the Cactus Garden
- the Villa
- the Viewpoint with lake and Gazebo
There quite a few different picnic spots with benches and tables, one is right by the entrance, where you can enjoy your own food and drinks.
Just like we did under the blooming wisteria while listening to the buzz of bees feeding on the pollen and birds rushing through the sky. Our friends showed us the most spectacular picnic spot, by a little pond, under the shade of wisteria trees, where we ended up eating our way through a spread of bread & nibbles, sipping wine, and toasting good times.
By the entrance to the garden, you will also find a small cafeteria with limited seating and toilets.
Malaga Botanical Garden: Photo Tour
Pictures tell the story better than a thousand words, so let me take you for a little photo tour of the botanical garden!
Don’t forget to check the end of the article for practical tips on how to get there and special events at the gardens.
Malaga Botanical Gardens: How to Get There
Location for the gardens: La Concepción Jardín Botánico-Historico de Málaga, Camino del Jardín Botánico, 3, 29014 – MALAGA. It’s right by the A-45 highway.
Getting there from Malaga city Center: I took a taxi each time I went up to the garden (because I came to Malaga by train), which took about 15 – 20 minutes and cost around 10 euros.
If you’re driving there, below is a little navigation map to give you an idea about the drive. There is parking available right next to the entrance to the garden.
It takes about 20 minutes to drive there with a car as you need to go around the whole central Malaga and take the exit off the highway.
You can also get there using local transport in Malaga, accessible by bus number 2 or 91, and then take a short walk from the bus stop.
Opening Hours for La Conception Jardin Botanico
1 st April – 30th September 9:30-19:30 (Tuesday-Sunday)
1st October – 31st March 9:30-16:30 (Tuesday-Sunday)
24th & 31st December 9:30-15:00
Closed on 25th December & 1st January
Practical Tips for Visiting Malaga Botanical Garden
- on their website, they have a detailed page showing what’s blooming and when, so you can play your visit for the optimal time when the garden is in full bloom (usually spring is the best)
- you can easily spend the whole day exploring the garden, and I would suggest counting at least 2 – 3 hours to see it all
- bring your own packed lunch and drinks and enjoy outdoor dining in one of the picnic spots
- the gardens are easily accessible with prams, although some roads are a bit harder to access with gravel and rocks
- in winter time, starting at the end of November, they have a special night access showcasing the garden with Christmas lights. It looks amazing, but I haven’t visited yet!
- you can also book a night visit of the garden anytime during the year, see details here.
Outdoor Enthusiasts: Popular Experiences
If you need a break from the beach and fancy exploring the great outdoors, here are some popular tours and experiences other visitors of Malaga enjoyed!
(these are affiliate links, I make a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you!)
- guided tour of Caminito del Rey (the most popular natural attraction in Malaga)
- hiking the El Torqual natural park of Antequerra (with pick up from Malaga included)
- 3 hour e-bike tour of Montes de Malaga national park
- quad-bike safari tour
What Else to See in Malaga
- Malaga Cathedral: The Unfinished Masterpiece
- The Alcazaba of Malaga: All You Need to Know for Your Visit
- Castillo de Gibralfaro, Malaga: Is it Worth a Visit?
- Museo Carmen Thyssen: Is it Worth a Visit?
- Picasso Birth Place Museum, Malaga: Is it Worth a Visit?
- Málaga Old Town: Malaga Historic Center Travel Guide [2024]
- Car Museum in Malaga: Fashion & Vintage Cars Under One Roof
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