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The Campus Corner: Tulips, Torrijas & Little Escapes 🌷🌿

Veronica Drahos - Wednesday, April 8
 Campus Corner 

Welcome back to The Campus Corner! Every two weeks, we bring you closer to the people behind your program—not just as your experience team but as locals who love sharing the best of Madrid. We want to build a more personal connection with you and help make Madrid feel like home.

In each edition, you’ll find our favorite spots, from hidden cafes to campus must-visits. Whether you're looking for a brunch spot or just curious about what we love around the city, we hope our picks add something special to your day.

Let’s keep exploring together—enjoy this edition and we'll see you in the next one! Guiño

Meet Ana

🌸 Growing, Glowing, and Going at my Own Pace 🌸 

Born and raised in Georgia, but after five years in Madrid, it definitely feels like home, so I think I’ve earned at least 25% madrileña status 💃 That said, a big thank you to GPS for existing, truly the only reason I manage to get around without getting completely lost (my sense of direction is… non-existent). 

I’m currently working as a Program Specialist for the MDGM, MSBT, and EDTX programs, and I’ve been part of IE for almost two years. What does that mean? I’m one of the people making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. 

Before all of this, I studied a BBA, so I like to think I picked up some useful business skills along the way (at least enough to stay organized most of the time). 

In my free time, you´ll probably find me exploring the city, trying new food, going for walks, or just enjoying a calm moment in a nice place. I really appreciate simple things like a good coffee, a beautiful view, or a peaceful atmosphere. 

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off? 

With friends, in nature, add a picnic, plenty of snacks, some drinks, and a lot of laughter, and that’s my perfect day. I love those slow, easy plans where you can just unwind and enjoy good company. 🌿🧺🥪🥂 

How do you enjoy spending your alone time? 

I genuinely enjoy my alone time. Recently, I’ve been getting into psychology, so I spend a lot of time listening to podcasts on the topic. I also love reading, writing, or going for a walk in the park with music, it helps me disconnect and recharge. 

What would be the first thing you'd do if you won the lottery? 

I wouldn’t tell anybody… but there would definitely be signs. Let’s just say my lifestyle might suddenly look a little different 😄 

💸 Where does your money go? 

I’d say my money mostly goes into three things: traveling, food, and clothes… so basically I either travel, eat, or wear it 🍕🛍️ 

Here are a few recommendations:

El Jardín de Diana 

El Jardín de Diana is a great place to unwind and spend quality time with friends and family. The views are incredible, especially around sunset, and the terrace is beautifully decorated. As for the food and drinks, both the cocktails and the mini burgers are absolutely delicious. It’s one of those places you leave already thinking about when you’ll come back, definitely an experience I’d happily repeat. 

Molinos de Viento de Consuegra: Where Sunset Feels Unreal 🌅 
Collecting moments, not things ✨  

If you’re chasing the perfect sunset, the windmills of Consuegra are hard to beat. Set on top of a hill with wide open views, it’s the kind of place where the sky seems to go on forever. As the sun goes down behind the iconic white windmills, everything turns golden, it’s simple, peaceful, and honestly one of the most magical sunsets you can catch near Madrid.  

🍹 Areia Club: A Hidden Tropical Escape  
This is one of my favorite places for a more special night. It has a really unique vibe – kind of like tropical, boho-style oasis in the middle of the city. The decoration is beautiful, with cozy sofas and chill-out areas that make you want to stay for hours.  

I love going there for cocktails and good music. You can start the evening in a relaxed way, just talking with friends, and later it becomes more lively with DJs and a fun atmosphere. It’s perfect for a date, catching up with friends, or just looking for a different vibe in the city. 

Next plan/destination 🐎🌿 Wanna join? 

I’ve always loved horse riding, it was actually my biggest dream as a child to have a horse. Now that spring is here and the weather is getting better, it feels like the perfect time to finally go and try it.

If coffee runs through your veins: Jingping e Hijo

This one mixes high-quality coffee with Chinese tea culture and a curated porcelain shop.

What makes it special is the balance: you can go for a well-made espresso or slow down with a proper tea experience served in handmade cups. The space is calm, minimal, and quietly beautiful.

It’s also one of those spots you take your parents to… and suddenly you’re defending the furniture like your life depends on it, and saying "you don't get it, mom!" as if you were a teeneager once again.

What to do: try a matcha or one of their Chinese teas. Get a hojicha latte if you want something less common but equally legit.
And yes, take the aesthetic picture.

Pro tip: Don't miss out on Obrar. It's one of the best bakeries in the city, and it's next door! While their coffee is also good, their pastries are on another level.

New Ice Cream Stop!

If you find yourself saying “I could go for something sweet” — this is the place.

Lolli is one of those new spots that just fits into your day easily. Nothing overcomplicated, just really good ice cream with smooth textures and fresh flavors that don’t feel too heavy.

It’s worth it because it hits that perfect balance: quick, casual, but still good enough to come back for. The kind of place you stop by once… and then again the next week.

Madrid Pick: Somos Otro Puto Mercadillo

A slightly chaotic, very fun market where Madrid’s creative side shows up.
It’s a pop-up at Próxima Estación with 40+ independent artists selling fanzines, upcycled fashion, vintage clothes, and handmade piecesplus DJs and a bar to keep things moving. You’ll find things you won’t see anywhere else.

🗓️ Saturday, April 11 | 4:00–9:00 pm
💸 Free entrance

SINO Is Back (and still packed) 🥟🔥

SINO Pop-Up is a Chinese community-led market bringing together authentic food, handmade pieces, and small brands in one space. 
It’s not just about the food (although that alone is reason enough). It’s the mix: street-style dishes, jewelry, crafts...  and a crowd that makes it feel lively but still easy to explore.

🗓️ Saturday, April 12 | 12:30–17:00
📍Lazo
💸 Free entrance

Pro tip: go hungry and don’t overthink it. Also, Lazo Café & Wine Bar (literally next door) is really nice, if you go, give a try! Good coffee and very tasty cakes. 

Torrijas Season

If you haven’t tried a torrija yet this Semana Santa, this is your moment — they disappear again until next year.

Think of it as Spain’s version of French toast, but softer, richer, and soaked in milk, honey, or syrup. Right now, bakeries across Madrid are doing their best versions, so it’s a good excuse to try a few.

Where to go:
• Villaroy's
• La Mallorquina
• El Riojano
• La Casa de las Torrijas
• Balbisiana
• La Mallorca

Extra (sunny day version):
• Sienna (Narváez) → torrija-flavored ice cream

Go in the afternoon, walk between spots, and call it a tasting tour. One season, one dessert; don’t overthink it.

Campus Bites 😋

If you need an excuse to leave campus for a bit, here it is.

Restaurante Colósimo is about a 20-minute walk, but it feels like a proper reset — quieter streets, slower pace, and a table waiting with one of the most talked-about tortillas in the area.

It’s worth it because this isn’t just a quick bite — it’s the kind of tortilla people go out of their way for: soft, creamy inside, and done just right.

Biophest at Matadero 🌿

A full week where plants, art, and culture quietly take over Matadero.

Biophest (April 14–19) is a mix of films, talks, workshops, walks, and installations, all built around our connection with nature.
You can keep it simple (a film at Cineteca), or go deeper with a hands-on workshop like botanical printing, cyanotype, or learning how to care for plants.

🗓️ April 14–19
📍 Matadero Madrid (Legazpi)
💸 Films from €3.50 | Workshops ~€40 | Many activities free

A slower, greener way to do culture in Madrid.

Blink and You’ll Miss It (Tulips Edition) 🌷

Missed it last week? This is your window — and it’s short. The Real Jardín Botánico is in full tulip bloom, with flowers planted back in December now at their peak. It’s one of those plans that only works right now: a couple of weeks where everything feels calm, colorful, and a bit unreal in the middle of the city.

Head there in the morning or around sunset for softer light, and walk through the central paths where the tulips are most concentrated. Entry is low-cost, and the location near Atocha makes it an easy add-on to your day.

Two weeks, then they’re gone 🌷

DYI Cake & Wine🎂🍷

A plan for when you want to do something… but still keep it easy. If you missed it last time, this is your chance.

At Pretty Cake Lab, you get your own mini cake to decorate, a drink in hand, and a table full of snacks, there's no experience needed and no pressure to get it “right.”

🗓️ Saturday, April 11 | 18:00 
🍷 Wine or lemonade + spring snacks included

🗓️ Sunday, May 3 | 12:00 
🥂 Mimosas or wine + themed snacks + small surprises

Tip: these workshops are small by design—if you’re thinking about it, don’t wait too long. RSVP here 

Plant Something That Outlives You 🌳

A weekend plan that’s surprisingly wholesome. Fresh air, a bit of movement, and a plan that feels different: Leganés —now officially a “Tree City of the World”— is hosting a community planting day.

🗓️ Saturday, April 11
📍 Parque de los Cipreses (Leganés)

Tip: go with friends and treat it like a half-day escape—Leganés has some of the biggest parks around. Perfect day for a picnic!

Tacos, But Not the Usual Suspects 🌮

If your taco rotation currently starts and ends with TKO and Takos al Pastor, this is your sign to branch out. Madrid has a solid second layer of taco spots — less obvious, less crowded, and very worth it.

Indómbale (Prosperidad)
A short metro ride out, but it feels like a proper plan. Expect creative, slightly elevated tacos with bold combinations — ideal for a slower dinner with friends.

Taquería Puerco (Lavapiés)
Small, no-frills, and focused on flavor. This is your “quick stop that turns into two rounds” kind of place — simple, but done right.

Trompo (Chamberí)
Casual, fast, and reliable. Great for an easy meal when you want something good without committing to a full sit-down.

Tacos La Ventiocho (Salamanca)
A bit more under the radar for the area. Strong flavors, less hype, and a solid alternative when the usual spots are packed.

Four neighborhoods, four different vibes — same good outcome

A call with Literature

This is Cabinas literarias, a small outdoor installation where you step inside a classic phone booth and listen to poetry and literature: Lorca, Shakespeare, Emily Dickison, Gloria Fuertes... as if someone is reading just for you.

It turns something simple into a surprisingly personal moment. Three booths, short audio pieces, one quiet moment.

📍 Plaza de la Remonta
🕒 12 April, morning (from 11:30)
💸 Free, just walk up and join

Escaping Madrid: Zorita de los Canes 🛶🌊  

If you’re looking for a quick escape from the city, Zorita de los Canes is a great option. Just about an hour from Madrid, this small village offers a peaceful setting surrounded by nature and history-perfect for slowing down and disconnecting. 

One of the highlights is the Tagus River, where you can go kayaking and enjoy the views from the water. You can also visit the Castle of Zorita, which adds a unique historical touch to the trip. 

Whether you’re after a relaxed day out or a bit of adventure, it’s definitely a hidden gem worth exploring. 

📢 A call to YOU! 📢

Madrid is full of amazing spots, and you've bee here 7 months now so who knows them better than you? 😉Whether it’s your go-to café for studying, the best late-night bites, or a hidden gem for weekend brunch, we want to hear about it!

💬 Drop your favorite places by pressing the button below and tell us why you love them! We’d love to showcase student-recommended spots—because the best places deserve to be discovered and shared! 🔥

Thank you for spending a little time with us!
We hope these recommendations add a spark of inspiration to your week. Now it’s your turn – pause for a moment and reflect on your day.

Whether it’s a “10” kind of day or one that could use a little lift, remember that tomorrow is a fresh start. We’re here to help make your time on and off-campus feel like home, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts or tips with us, too.

If you're having a rough day, here is a cat video to try and make your day a tad better. Ojos de sonrisa 

Until next time,  
⭐ Your Campus Corner Team ⭐

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