Just to the north of the city of Malaga, on the road to Granada, is the stunning botanical gardens of Finca La Concepcion.  This is one of the most beautiful and important tropical gardens and plant collections Europe. It was cratered over 150 years ago by Amalia Heredia Livermore, granddaughter of the British consul, and her husband, the successful businessman, Jorge Loring Oyarzabal, Marquis of Casa Loring, in 1850. These keen plant collectors travelled the world, bringing back bamboos from China, eucalyptus from Australia, and palms from South America and the Pacific. In all there are over three thousand separate species represented in these gardens.

On the death of the Marquis in 1911 the gardens passed into the hands of another rich Malaga family, but it was rarely used.  Jardin Botanico Finca La Concepcion was declared a historical and artistic garden in 1943, but fell into decline over the years until it was acquired by the Malaga town hall in 1990 who quickly began renovation work.

The garden has a luxurious tropical forest feel, with wonders around each corner, and is designed to have year-round interest: giant ficus, majestic araucarias (a 45m specimen of which is the province's tallest tree), a huge range of palms, cycads and groves of bamboos as well as a vast range of flowers, from the humble to the exotic, all have their place here.
 

The botanical gardens are is situated on the Carretera de las Pedrizas (CN 331) at km 166 which is on the way out of Malaga in the direction of Antequera and Granada. There is a also bus service (No. 61) on weekends and holidays from the Alameda Principal in central Malaga (Ciudad Jardin line). The gardens open at 10.00 am all year round.  There may be the possibility of a guided tour, if there is sufficient interest.  These last approximately an hour and a half.  The entrance fee is €2.85 for adults and €1.45 for children (6 to 16 years).  For more information: 0034 952 252 148 or 0034 952250745.