The feeling of being in this place is so wonderful that I thought I was in paradise. In fact, the first time I went to La Concepci贸n Botanical Garden, I went with my mother, and when she came out she said: This is paradise.
From that moment on I think of it that way. It is 26 hectares of pure beauty, where different environments, plant species from different countries and an atmosphere of peace and harmony intermingle.
It is located in what would be the district of Ciudad Jardin in the city of Malaga, in the northern area, where one of the entrances to the city is located.
A large elevated area, away from the city, the people, the hustle and bustle, the cars, everything.
You can get there by car, by tourist bus or by the method I chose.
I took bus number 2 and waited at the last stop. From there you have to walk north along a path. It is about half an hour's walk. Then you cross a tunnel and then turn around to the south until you find the access to the garden.
It is quite high up, considering the city. There are so many viewpoints in the various spaces, paths and areas of the map that you can get different views all around.
Views of the city, the sea and the Malaga Mountains.
When I entered the park, I was first charged the entrance fee, 5,20 euros, which is not expensive considering the place, the extension and that I can spend almost the whole day there. The opening hours are from 10 am to 8 pm.
There are several marked areas for picnics. Outside these areas it is forbidden to eat.
It is important that there are maps available to anyone who goes to the place and a large explanatory map at the entrance with the different areas and environments.
Beyond the great history of this place, which is more than 150 years old, the variety of plants is always impressive.
There are plants from all over the world, from China, Africa, America and much more. Most of them from tropical and subtropical climates. The number of species amounts to more than fifty thousand.
The history of the botanical garden dates back to the 19th century, when a couple of marquises bought the estate and used it for leisure, art, meetings and all the events concerning the high bourgeoisie. For all these reasons it was declared a site of cultural interest.
My big walk around the place took about seven hours. And I was able to enjoy varieties such as bamboo, palm trees, cedars, a diversity of cacti, huge ficus and much more.
Although the map at the entrance shows an order in the tour so as not to miss anything, I have visited it several times, but never in a complete tour as this time, but only in parts.
I headed to the right and after passing an area with benches for picnics, I came across the first section I walked through where there are many citrus fruit trees, especially lemons and oranges.
This area has many trails for hiking and admiring these beautiful species.
But on one of these paths I came across a hollow in the middle of very tall reeds. It was a big bamboo plantation, where in the middle of it there was a very narrow path.
Walking inside it was a pleasant sensation, there was a lot of shade and I could admire the height of those big plants that ascended to the sky as if they wanted to touch the clouds.
When I came out of this path I could see the so-called historical greenhouses in the distance. The first greenhouses of the place where some plants are still preserved.
This place leads me to a staircase that ends in a beautiful place where there is a gazebo, a gazebo with a table and chairs to rest and a beautiful place like a pond.
At the same time I spot another staircase that takes me to another historic greenhouse, where you can see how old it is, even though it has been preserved.
I love staircases, especially when they are surrounded by nature. The freshness of this place was inexplicable.
On the way up I see varieties of ficus trees like this one, with their amazingly shaped trunks. Everything caught my attention, it is a paradise and I will never tire of saying it.
This garden, when it passed into the hands of Malaga City Council, was renovated with what was called Around the World in 80 Trees. An initiative to include species from all over the world.
Again amazed by everything I saw.
Paths where the sun's rays slip through the treetops.
Bridges and bifurcated paths and always with signs indicating where I was and different directions to find out what is in each place.
I felt like I was right there in the middle of a tropical jungle and I didn't want to leave.
On my way I found various signs explaining not only the varieties of plants and trees but also the history surrounding the whole garden. So much beauty, mixed with many years of experiences and events.
I liked to lose myself in the paths, admiring every shade of green, the shapes of the trunks and the rays of the sun, looking for a place to enter this immense thicket.
Every now and then I would find an open space and I could take a 360 degree view and look at everything, absolutely everything.
I saw many signs explaining the varieties of plants, where they come from and their scientific name.
What fascinated me most about this great garden were the stairs, their shape and design. I felt like I was in a dream or a princess or perhaps a fairy in the midst of such splendour.
This sign pointed out to me that there was some kind of botanical museum up ahead. And at that moment I was hoping to see it.
Many times, turning around, I returned to the starting point, or maybe the space was so big that I went by another path, so I saw the bamboos again, but this time with a blanket of dry leaves underneath, another marvel.
All along the way I could hear streams of water, and every now and then I could find small waterfalls like this one. I could not be more amazed. I tell you, it is paradise.
The garden is very well organised, as I told you, with signs and posters all the time.
They explain the species, but also whether they are species from an old garden or modern ones, because within the big garden there are smaller ones, like subgroups within a big group.
Within the paths I could also see places with water as if they were small ponds or lagoons and many of them had fish, frogs and others.
Palm trees predominate in the place as well as ficus species and many times all together in the same sector.
I stopped for a moment to rest and this is the view I had at that moment.
Then I went to a sector of water fountains with fish and water lilies.
The thick vegetation was getting thicker and thicker and the places with waterfalls too. That sound gives an atmosphere of absolute peace and relaxation.
Yet another path ahead of me, I wondered where it would lead me.
The stairs allowed access to the higher places. The whole garden is on different levels and that makes for a fantastic design.
Again another waterfall, but this time much bigger and with brightly coloured fish and the reflections and shadows on the water enchanted me.
The bushes and hedges surrounding part of the garden are very well preserved.
Following more paths I come to a signpost that warns me about the route to the highest viewpoints.
There is an area where there is an old palace and this area is surrounded by masetas with beautiful flowers.
More stairs lead me to another part of the garden. An area with a refreshing shade of green and giant plants that made me feel small.
A large bifurcated path lay before me, a new walkway with a mixture of citrus fruit trees, flowers, flower beds, palm trees and much more.
Varieties of palms and shadows drawn on the ground.
More trees with strange shapes on their trunks and flowers of great beauty.
Butterflies played among the flowers until one allowed itself to be photographed.
Some trees seemed to have many arms and signalled to me in different directions.
Sometimes they seemed to be pointing at signs.
At other times it seemed that the tree pointed out more beautiful flowers to me.
But the more forceful arm and hand pointed the way out on this great walk today. A walk full of nature, harmony and a lot of life. A walk that is a real paradise.
I had missed some areas to walk through, but the closing time of the garden was approaching and I had to return to the entrance.
There will be no lack of opportunities to come back and bring you more of this wonderful place.
I hope you enjoyed this long walk with me, it is the best walk I have ever done in my life and the most wonderful.
Best regards to all of you and see you next time.
Amonet.
All photographs are my own.
