The El Capricho Park is an amazing natural environment and the only remaining romantic garden in Madrid. Despite being one of the most beautiful parks in the city, Capricho Park is still largely unknown in the capital. Conceived by the Duchess of Osuna, it is an artistic garden dating back to the end of the 18th century. Made up of a group of gardens and monuments, it is one of the most beautiful places in Madrid.
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History of El Capricho Park
The park was built between 1787 and 1839 for the Dukes of Osuna, under the orders of the Duchess as a place of recreation to get away from her duties. The Duchess of Osuna was a great admirer of artists, bullfighters and intellectuals. Thus she created an authentic natural paradise that was frequented by the most illustrious personalities of the time. The most prestigious artists, gardeners and set designers of the time worked in this park.
This 14-hectare park extends next to the former palace of the Dukes of Osuna. In this garden there are two distinct areas. On one side is a French-style garden, and on the other an English-style garden. Both areas are home to many curious corners, some of them known as caprichos (caprices).
The natural and artistic features of the garden allow you to enjoy an environment full of history in each of its corners. Some of the highlights of the park are the Dancing Casino, the Temple of Bacchus as well as the Labyrinth. The main points of interest in the park are the palace built in the 18th century, restored after the French occupation, and also the Casa de la Vieja.
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Things to do in El Capricho Park
French Garden
This 18th-century neoclassical garden features geometric shapes and many Duelist columns. In this part of the park is the Plaza de los Emperadores, where you can discover the Exedra and walk along the Labyrinth before arriving at the neoclassical palace of the Dukes of Osuna.
English Garden
In the English garden you will find the Templete del Abejero, as well as the whimsical remains of the Romanesque church and the Fortín, an Italian-style castle built for the enjoyment of children. You will also discover the enigmatic story of the black love tree and the Casa de Cañas, an old wharf located just before the pond and next to a curious iron bridge. In the English garden you will also find the Byzantine hermitage, where you can discover the story of the hermit who lived there, just before arriving at the Templete de Baile.
Civil War bunker
This is one of the best-kept secrets of El Capricho Park and a unique enclave from the Civil War that is excellently preserved. The shelter was built next to the palace in 1937, taking advantage of its location far away from the war front, its good communications as well as the trees that were conducive to camouflage.
This 2000 square metre bunker, located 15 metres underground, is capable of withstanding bombs weighing up to 100 kg. It has a total of seven rectangular rooms, four exits to the outdoor park as well as an escape gallery to the street that crosses the basement of the Palacio de los Duques de Osuna.
Casa Vieja in El Capricho
The Casa de la Vieja is a fully equipped farmhouse which has life-size dolls representing its inhabitants. It is one of the most striking sights to see during your visit to the park. Here you will discover the history of this residence and gardens after the ruin of one of the descendants of the Dukes of Osuna, before Madrid City Council acquired them in 1975.
What to see in the area around the El Capricho Park
Juan Carlos I Park
Located in the Feria de Madrid area, the Juan Carlos I is an immense 160 hectare park that has an olive grove with more than 2,000 specimens of the old Olivar de Hinojosa, a lake, an auditorium, a collection of open-air sculptures and an activity centre. The park is an ideal space for sports, as it has a large skating rink, a lake and an estuary.
Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
Located on Avenida de Luis Aragonés, the Wanda Metropolitano is Club Atlético de Madrid’s new stadium and also one of the most modern sports venues in Europe. This stadium was inaugurated in 2017 and its name is a tribute to the old Estadio Metropolitano, a place that hosted the club’s matches in the 1960s.
The Wanda Metropolitano has a capacity for 67,829 spectators, making it the third largest stadium in Spain. A must-see if you are a football lover, as it is one of the places with the best football atmosphere in Europe, thanks to its acoustics and its light show.
Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas
Built in 1929 on the land known as “Las Ventas del Espíritu Santo”, it was designed in neo-Mudejar style with exposed red brick and has a 61 metre diameter bullring. With a capacity for more than 23,000 spectators, the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas is the largest bullring in Spain and the third largest in the world.
Tips for your visit to El Capricho Park
- Respect the monuments and statues in the garden.
- Take care of the surrounding vegetation and the wildlife living in the park.
- Bicycles and roller skates are not allowed.
- You can’t eat inside the Garden.
- Animals are not allowed in the garden.
Where to eat near El Capricho Park?
Madrid has an infinite amount of places to eat that you can enjoy in the different areas of the city. Here is a selection of some of the best restaurants in the area around El Capricho Park:
- Restaurante Alameda
- La Caña de Gonzalo
- Derzu Bar
- Restaurante Castilla
- Bar Capricho
How to plan your visit to El Capricho Park?
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Frequently asked questions about El Capricho Park
From 1 October to 31 March: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm.
From 1 April to 30 September: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 9am to 9pm.
El Capricho Park is located in Alameda de Osuna, next to Juan Carlos I Park. Parque del Capricho can be reached on foot, by car, by metro (line 5) and by bus (lines 101, 105 and 151).
Entry to El Capricho Park is free of charge.
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