Find the Best Things to Do in Moncloa, Arguelles & Pintor Rosales
By Sarah Rogers
About Moncloa, Arguelles & Pintor Rosales
Photo courtesy of Enrique Dans
Moncloa is one of Madrid’s charming residential neighborhoods. It includes the traditional Moncloa area as well as the newer extension to the north. A number of the residents are students of the universities located in University City. Both locals and visitors like to shop along Princesa Street and stroll in West Park (Parque del Oeste), where if you look closely you can find battle positions used in the Spanish Civil War. Nearby you can also see evidence of Franco’s rule in the Victory Arch and the Air Force Barracks.
See & Do
Though Moncloa is richer in history than in major attractions, the neighborhood does have its fair share, like the tranquil West Park, the massive Complutense University of Madrid and the Victory Arch, which was built in the 1950s to commemorate Franco’s victory in the Spanish Civil War. If you’re interested in the Civil War, go see if you can make out some of the battle positions in West Park where locals fought against Franco.
Eat
Unlike the restaurants located in the heart of Madrid’s downtown, Moncloa’s restaurants largely cater to those who live and work in the surrounding area. While there is a smattering of chain restaurants to feed shoppers along Princesa Street and the local university students, most of the sit-down restaurants provide good-value, no-nonsense Spanish food.
Shop
Head to Princesa Street, the Moncloa neighborhood’s local shopping hub, if you want to find a fashionable, middle-class Spanish wardrobe. In addition to the ubiquitous El Corte Ingles department store and the popular locations of the Zara and Mango clothing stores, you will find a series of smaller shops and restaurants, both chains and independent businesses.