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Welcome to the Campus Corner!

Marina Maeso - Wednesday, April 8
 Campus Corner 

Hello and welcome to the very first issue of The Campus Corner! Every two weeks, we’ll bring you closer to the people behind your program – not just as your experience team, but as locals who love sharing the best of what Madrid has to offer.

In every edition, you’ll find our favorite picks: charming cafés, tucked-away corners around campus, can’t-miss weekend plans, and even little getaways if you’re itching to explore beyond the city. We want to build a more personal connection with you and help make Madrid feel like home.

Whether you’re hunting for the perfect brunch spot, planning a quick escape, or just curious about what we’re up to outside of work, we hope these ideas bring some joy to your day. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to swap recommendations or chat about our picks!

We’re excited to kick off The Campus Corner with you – a space to discover, share, and get a peek into life on and around campus.

Meet the team behind the Campus Corner

What sparked the idea for The Campus Corner?
Marina: It was the avocado toast from Faborit. I started bringing new team members there for breakfast, and show them my favorite oil combos (chili & garlic) as well as good coffee places. It was a fun way to welcome someone new. That spirit of sharing turned into a newsletter.

Veronica: I’ve always loved showing friends and family around the Madrid—museums, rooftop views, and the stories tucked behind every plaza. Each time someone said, “I would have never found this without you,” it felt like a spark. The newsletter became a way to keep sharing those sparks with more people. ✨

What’s a “very Marina” idea vs. a “very Vero” one?
M: A “very Marina” idea usually includes coffee, a modern bakery like Alma (chai cookies, cardamom kouign amann...), or a sudden two-days getaway to Tenerife.
V: A “very Vero” idea is adventurous but with a cultural twist—climbing up to rooftop views, ducking into new museums, or plotting urban walks that turn the city into one giant exhibition. Together, they balance caffeine-fueled coziness with bold explorations.

How has your relationship with Madrid changed through writing The Campus Corner?
M: My “plans” folder is Instagram is packed. I write down places to recommend everywhere I go. Let’s just say my list of spots to visit is longer than most people’s theses.
V: The newsletter makes you hyper-attuned to the city. Suddenly, rain isn’t just rain—it’s an excuse for a museum dive. Exams aren’t just stress—they’re “study breaks” framed as art walks or movie nights. Writing it keeps Madrid alive as a series of small, shareable discoveries

What’s your go-to plan for a perfect Sunday?
M: It's hard to stay indoors when the sun’s out. Ideally: a cortado, a walk with sunlight on my face, a good book in the park… or just a lazy terraza afternoon with friends... simple joys.
V: A lazy brunch (ideally at a market), a stroll through Retiro when the city finally slows, a surprise patio or exhibit, and then a terraza with vermut to watch the sun dip. Simple, stylish, very Madrileño.

We have a couple of surprises coming your way. Just a tip: always read to the end. Loyal readers will be rewarded. 👀

Open House Madrid 2025

From September 25–28, over 100 of Madrid’s most striking buildings, usually closed to the public, throw open their doors, making this one of the city’s most generous and eye-opening weekends. Some spots require registration but others are free to enter. Architecture nerd or not, you’ll love it. It’s run by volunteers and buzzing with local love.

✨ Here are some ideas of what not to miss:

  • Iberia Maintenance Hangar – A rare peek inside the massive hangar at Barajas Airport, where aircraft get their beauty sleep and technical TLC.

  • Instituto del Patrimonio Cultural (a.k.a. the “Corona de Espinas”) – Wild, circular, and full of sci-fi vibes.
  • Casa Palazuelo – A striking modernist house, perfect for lovers of curves, details, and quiet secrets.

Pro tip: Plan ahead via their program, tickets sales opened today and spots go fast! And for the free-entrance visits, try to be there early.
Pro tip 2: Join their Whatsapp channel for exclusive events

Madrid's Hotel Tapa Tour 🍷 Room Service, Reimagined

From Sept 22 to Oct 5, some of Madrid’s top hotels are opening their doors... and their kitchens! All for Madrid's Hotel Tapa Tour.
At each stop, you’ll try a flight of creative pairings: tapas with Ribera del Duero wine, fusion bites with cava, a next-level croqueta with a Martini Spritz, and even a dessert tapa with a custom cocktail.

Expect rooftops, velvet lounges, and flavor surprises at places like the Ritz, Four Seasons, and BLESS Hotel. No check-in needed, just come hungry.

Brunch Alert!🤩 Federal Café🥯

For a cozy coffee spot to soak up the last days of sun, visit Federal Café at Plaza del Conde de Barajas, 3. This charming, first-come, first-serve café offers great coffee in a lively plaza where artists create and sell their work on Sundays—perfect for a relaxed Rastro Sunday.

  • Recommendation: Tostada con guacamole, burrata, tomate cherry y salmón ahumado 

If coffee runs through your veins: Tambo ☕

For a perfect flat white close to campus, visit Tambo, born from Gonzalo and Marta’s life-changing trip to Perú. You’ll come for the locally roasted coffee and stay for good food and the warm smiles behind the counter.
Everything’s brewed with care, and the full menu is made in-house. Come with the new friend you made this week, or if you need a pick me up before class.

  • Recommendation: Cookie de Gonzalo (this is a must-try!)
Pro tip! Get their loyalty card, and ask about their IE discount 😉

Campus Bites 😋 La Maruca

Tasty Lunch around campus: La Maruca
🍽️ Barely a 5 minute walk from IE, La Maruca is the kind of place that feels effortlessly cool, but not trying too hard. Think crispy calamari, fresh anchovies, and their legendary cheesecake. The modern, airy vibe makes it perfect for anything from a quick bite to a long, relaxed meal.
Pro tip: grab a terrace seat if the weather’s nice! 🌿✨

  • Recommendation: Their tortilla de patata on the interior patio on a warm spring day 🤩🌞

Don't miss this: Leica: 100 Years of Photography

A century of iconic images, from quiet street scenes to turning points in history. This free exhibition at Fernán Gómez (Plaza de Colón) traces the evolution of photojournalism through the lens of Leica, the small, precise camera that changed how the world is seen.

If you're into photography, there’s more: the Leica Store Madrid, just off Ortega y Gasset (near campus), is also showing a companion selection of works.

🗓️ Until Jan 11 | 🎟 Free | 📍Fernán Gómez + Leica Store Madrid

🍺 Prost in Príncipe Pío

Oktoberfest is back, and Madrid is going full Bavarian. From Sept 11–21, the Gran Teatro CaixaBank Príncipe Pío transforms into a Munich-style beer hall: long wooden tables, live bands, and frothy Paulaner pints. Hungry? Go all in with sausages, schnitzel, and pretzels the size of your head.

🎟️ Tickets start at €16.50 and include beer + snacks. Book your ticket here and do it early, some sessions sell out fast!

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📢 A call to YOU! 📢

Madrid is full of amazing spots, and you've just arrived... so tell us what you've found! 😉 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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