How to visit and what to see in El Capricho, the most beautiful garden in Madrid?

One of the great surprises that a tourist trip to Madrid is El Capricho park, a charming artistic garden.

And if you live in Madrid, it is very possible that you have not visited it yet given its special location far from the city center, and because it is a little known corner of the capital.

To encourage you to visit it, I can tell you that, possibly, El Capricho sea the most beautiful garden in Madrid, and it is the only one Renaissance garden that is preserved in the city.

It is not a park to use, such as that of the Pick up or the West.

In this artistic garden whose origin dates back to the end of the 18th century, when the Dukes of Osuna They decided to build a residence on the then outskirts of Madrid.

Its beautiful configuration is an example of what was once the setting for the filming of the film. Doctor Zhivago, and currently in summer they are scheduled concerts and dance shows in El Capricho park.

Where is the El Capricho Garden in Madrid

El El Capricho park is in the Alameda de Osuna, Along the Juan Carlos I park, not far from Baraja's airport.

In the 14 hectares that extend next to what was palace house of the Dukes of Osuna With neoclassical architectural style, you find two clearly delimited areas, with a french style garden and other english style garden.

In both areas there are numerous and curious corners, many of them known as “whims”.

In this park open to the public free of charge, but with hours limited to weekends and holidays.

This is the visit to the El Capricho garden

With an approximate duration of almost two hours, during these guided tours You will be able to learn the history of this picturesque garden, and you will discover the different corners that you will find during your walk.

The visits begin at the park gate, and then begin the tour of the french garden.

French Garden and Emperors Square

In this first garden area from the 18th century, neoclassical and with geometric shapes, you will know the meaning of the Columns of the Duelists.

Then you will arrive at the Emperors Square, where you will see the Exedra and you will pass by the Maze before arriving at neoclassical palace of the Dukes of Osuna.

Civil War bunker in El Capricho

As you enter the english style garden, you will see the chimneys of a large bunker of the Civil War which extends below the surface for about 2.000 square meters, about 15 meters underground.

The bunker had two main rooms: one for the officers' shelter and another for service personnel.

Currently the interior can be accessed through a door located next to the façade of the main garden building.

One of the most notable curiosities is that the bunker was kept secret for decades after the war, until it was rediscovered in the 1990s.

Currently, it is open to the public for guided tours on certain dates and times of year.

English garden with pavilion and other whims

After discovering the Temple of the Beekeeper, you meet the whims of the remains of the romanesque church and Fort, Castle of Italian style, which was built for the enjoyment of children.

You will also know the enigmatic black love tree story, just before reaching the pond, with the corner of the House of Reeds, an old felucca pier next to a curious iron bridge, and the funerary monument.

During the visit you will discover the byzantine hermitage, and the story of the hermit who lived in it, just before reaching the Dance Temple.

Old House in El Capricho in Madrid

Already close to the exit of the El Capricho park, you will meet the curious Old Lady's House and his garden.

And, finally, you will learn what happened to this residence and gardens after the ruin of one of the descendants of the Dukes of Osuna, before they were acquired in 1975 by the Madrid City Council.

Visiting hours of the El Capricho Garden

If you decide to go on your own to El Capricho park, you should know that it is only open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with Visiting schedule from 9 a.m. to 21 p.m., from April to September, and from 9 a.m. to 18,30:XNUMX p.m., from October to March.

La Admission is free although there is a limit on the number of people who can enter during a day to avoid crowds, which must pass through a turnstile.

I remind you that this is not a typical urban park, but rather a natural place ideal for walking.

Map: how to get to El Capricho Garden

For visit El Capricho artistic garden, you can go on line 5 Metro, and you must get off at the station El Capricho.

You also have the options of urban bus lines 101, 105 y 155.