District
Moncloa-Aravaca
A large, green district in the west: the central ward of Argüelles, the university city, the vast Casa de Campo park and, beyond the M-30, the outer wards of Aravaca, El Plantío and Valdemarín. Major transport interchanges at Moncloa and Príncipe Pío.
Moncloa-Aravaca (District 9) stretches west from the edge of the centre. Its seven wards are Casa de Campo, Argüelles, Ciudad Universitaria, Valdezarza, Valdemarín, El Plantío and Aravaca.
Wikipedia notes that its wards are less connected to each other than in other districts: Argüelles, Valdezarza and Ciudad Universitaria are in the central part of the city, while Aravaca, El Plantío and Valdemarín lie beyond the M-30 ring road.
- Like Fuencarral-El Pardo, it has a very large share of green space, above all the Casa de Campo, considered the city's main "green lung".
- Ciudad Universitaria is home to university campuses; Argüelles is a central ward next to Centro and Chamberí.
- Aravaca, El Plantío and Valdemarín lie on the city's western edge, beyond the M-30.
- Metro L3
- Metro L6
- Metro L7
- Metro L10
- Metro Ópera–Príncipe Pío branch
- Light rail ML2
- Cercanías C-7 / C-10
- Metro: lines 3 and 6 (Moncloa, Argüelles), line 6 (Ciudad Universitaria, Vicente Aleixandre, Guzmán el Bueno, Príncipe Pío), line 7 (Francos Rodríguez, Valdezarza, Antonio Machado), line 10 (Plaza de España, Príncipe Pío, Lago, Batán, Casa de Campo) and the Ópera–Príncipe Pío branch.
- Light rail ML2 serves Aravaca (Berna, Estación de Aravaca).
- Cercanías lines C-7 and C-10 at Príncipe Pío and Aravaca.
- Moncloa and Príncipe Pío are interchanges where many interurban bus lines start.
Housing differs between the central wards and those beyond the M-30. Asking rents across the district are below the city average.
Plenty of green space, including the Casa de Campo park. Wikipedia lists public and private nurseries and schools, and international schools, in the district.
Mixed evenings
Argüelles borders Centro, with much of Madrid's nightlife; the wards beyond the M-30 are further from the centre.
Honest trade-offs newcomers mention. They are not reasons to avoid a place.
- The outer wards (Aravaca, El Plantío, Valdemarín) are separated from the rest of the city by the M-30; check commuting options carefully.
- Compare asking rents across the seven wards before deciding.
Useful links
Sources
Facts on this page come from these sources. Neighbourhoods change — check current details before deciding.
- WikipediaMoncloa-Aravaca
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026Wards, structure, green space, schools, Metro, light rail, Cercanías and interurban buses.
- WikipediaChamberí
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026Metro line 3 stations Moncloa and Argüelles.
- Brains Real Estate NewsMadrid se mantiene firme – la capital no declara zonas tensionadas para el alquiler de la vivienda
(Opens {{site}} in a new tab) Accessed 8 Oct 2026