Campus Corner: Roscón Rankings, Pizza Slices & a Medieval Detour 🍕⚔️

Meet... Marina

Co-founder of Campus Corner, voted most likely to have a coffee overdose—and to break up with you via post-it note. Spanish, and always fascinated by languages, I study Chinese because I love the way it sounds.
That same curiosity fuels my work around projects such as the Speaker Series, some certificates and more FUN stuff that's coming soon ;)  

Favorite book: I don't do favorites, but I loved The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts, by Maxine Hong Kingston. 

Any hobbies? I truly enjoy cooking and learning about different cuisines. Coffee is a given (don’t get me started), and I’m always working on something creative.

Favorite spot in Madrid: Too many to name! That’s actually why this project started. Some long-time favorites include the Biblioteca Nacional and the Quinta de los Molinos. Both absolutely worth a visit. 

Random recommendation: DaBaobao, delicious baozi in Malasaña. The food is great, the owner is lovely, and they serve truly excellent cold-brew tea.

Favorite way to spend a day off? When I’m at my parents’, I love going for coffee with my mom and taking a walk with my dogs: Manolo and Benito.

Do you collect anything? Bookmarks. And yes, I accept donations (for legal reasons, that’s a joke).

One more thing about me: I can whip up a plan in five minutes. I’ve become the unofficial social engagement rep on our team. I’m always organizing something, whether it’s a brunch, a farewell, some beers, or someone’s bridal shower. 

What’s your favorite piece of language trivia?
Everyone has an idiolect: a unique way of speaking, shaped by every person, place, and experience you encounter throughout your life.

If coffee runs through your veins: Osom

Coffee first, resolutions later!
If you’re trying to ease into the new year, Gen O x Osom 2.0 on María de Molina is a great place to start. Although you'll find it inside a wellness space (it kind of looks like a gym... but it isn't one?), no, there's no pressure to join, and the coffee is genuinely good.
Also, there’s usually space to sit, study, or just enjoy a quiet moment with a flat white in hand.

Recommendation: Their dirty chai calls my name every time I walk past. Consider yourself warned.

Campus Bites 😋 Snob Pizza

Warm up this January with Snob Pizza, the hotspot on Lagasca bringing gourmet New‑York‑style pizza by the slice... 7 minutes away from campus. Picture this: huge, foldable pieces with a crispy base and creative toppings, from Hot Pepperoni with spicy honey to a Pastrami & Burrata dream; perfect to chase away the winter chill!

Recommendation: The Hot Pepperoni! Can't miss out!

🎨 Espacio Fundación Telefónica

Head to Calle Fuencarral for two thought‑provoking exhibitions that blend art, history and technology — all free and perfect for a culture‑break between classes or perfect for the rainy days ahead. 

📱 “Hoy es un buen día para hablar de Derechos Digitales” until May 3rd
Explore how tech shapes your life online — from privacy and digital identity to AI and algorithms — through interactive installations and artworks that spark reflection and debate. It’s playful, critical and so relevant in our always‑connected world.

🖼️ “El sueño de la razón. Del Siglo de las Luces a la inteligencia artificial” until the 5th of April
Take a visual journey from 18th‑century scientific drawings and early photography to today’s AI‑generated imagery. Nearly 300 works show how humans have used images and tech to understand and represent reality across centuries.

🛡️ Time‑Travel This Weekend: Medieval Market in Torrejón de la Calzada

Just a short trip south of Madrid, the historic streets of Torrejón de la Calzada are turning back the clock this weekend for a full‑on medieval market that feels like stepping into a storybook. 🎭

Wander through more than 50 artisan stalls selling leather, ceramics and wooden crafts, catch street theatre and live music, and warm up with traditional winter fare in the buzzing Plaza de España and beyond. Perfect for a day trip full of knights, craft and good vibes. 🥨⚔️

Hands-on January 🎨

If you already need a break (same) and you feel like doing something creative, Artefacto has got options! From ceramic jewelry (Jan 9) to resin art (Jan 24), abstract painting (Jan 10), or a relaxing watercolor session, their small-group workshops are a perfect way to reset and make something beautiful even if you haven’t touched a paintbrush since primary school.

📍 Locations in Salamanca & Goya | Prices from €46
🖌️ Check dates and book ahead, spots go fast!

Your Guide to Madrid’s Best Roscón

January in Spain comes with a non-negotiable tradition: Roscón de reyes, a soft brioche flavoured with orange blossom water and topped with candied fruit. Inside, two surprises await: a figurine (good luck!) and a dry bean (bad luck, you buy next year’s roscón).

Reyes officially lands on January 6th, the day when families gather, gifts are exchanged and roscón de reyes takes centre stage. Many bakeries keep making it for days (sometimes weeks) after, because January is cold, long, and clearly improved by cake.

Each December, Madrid’s best roscones are put to the test at the Artisan Roscón Championship. Here’s the top three list of bakeries where the roscón is taken seriously:

🥇 Doble Uve (Winner)
This year’s champion stands out for its moist, well-fermented crumb, excellent balance between butter, citrus and orange blossom, and a light yet expressive flavour. A technically precise roscón that delivers character without excess.

🥉 Marea Bread (Third place)
A more contemporary take, built on double fermentation and lifted by subtle citrus notes (including yuzu). Well-structured, aromatic and increasingly confident year after year.

If you are feeling homesick (or adventurous), you can try the Mexican Rosca at Molino Manuela, CoMadre and Pancito Perrón; and the (very different) French Galette des Rois at Santana Choux, Panem or Moulin Chocolat.

Whether you prefer to keep things traditional or explore subtle twists, Madrid offers no shortage of excellent options. The only real challenge is choosing just one.

Chez Matisse 🎨

Start the year with a splash of color. Until Feb 22, CaixaForum Madrid hosts Chez Matisse, a striking exhibition exploring Matisse’s evolution and lasting influence: from bold fauvist beginnings to luminous paper cut-outs.
Works from the Centre Pompidou are paired with those of artists he inspired, offering a fresh lens on modern art.

📍 CaixaForum
🕒 Daily, 10:00–20:00 | Entry: €6 (free for CaixaBank clients)

Your picks, your city: 🔥 Urvan Street Food

This week’s top student recommendation is in!

Urvan Street Food is casual, fast, and full of flavour, perfect when you want something satisfying without turning it into a whole plan.

The highlight is the beef sujuk roll. Spicy, juicy, and seriously good. According to the student who recommended it, it’s the greatest beef sujuk roll ever, which is a bold statement... but one we’re inclined to believe.

Great for a quick lunch, an easy dinner, or one of those days when you just want good food with zero fuss.

New year, new deals 🛍️

In Spain, the Holiday season doesn’t officially wrap up until the Three Kings roll through on January 6th, which means the real shopping season is just getting started! Rebajas have landed, and remember that with your IE Perks you can unlock even deeper discounts on everything from gyms to bookshops, whatever your new year resolutions are. 

Start the Year Fresh 🌿

Kick off 2026 by bringing some green into your scene. Gran Venta de Plantas lands in Madrid from Jan 16–18, with hundreds of easy-going, budget-friendly plants ready to brighten your space... and your mood.
Fresh air, fresh start.

📍 Espacio 23.
🕒 Jan 16–18 | Entry free, sign up here.

🎬 Spotlight on Screen: Semana del Cine Español in Carabanchel

From January 19–25, Carabanchel turns into a cinephile’s playground with the 44th Semana del Cine Español — a week of curated Spanish films and shorts screening in neighborhood cultural centers like Lázaro Carreter and San Francisco – La Prensa. 🎥 Catch standout features (some paired with finalist short films), and don’t miss the family-friendly weekend sessions. It’s all free, local, and a great way to dive into Spain’s cinematic soul. 🍿✨

🚇 Getting there is easy: hop on metro Line 5 to Carabanchel or Vista Alegre stations — the venues are just a short walk away.
🖼️ Pro tip: Stick around after the screenings to explore Carabanchel’s thriving art scene — nearby galleries like Veta, Casa Banchel and Usera's Nave Oporto are redefining the city’s creative map.