Welcome to The Campus Corner!

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. 👀

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 😉

🍺 200+ Beers. Choose Wisely.

Madrid’s big craft beer weekend is back!

From September 25–27, BeerMad brings together 50 craft breweries and more than 200 beer styles, from Madrid favorites to producers from further afield. There’ll also be food stands, live music and guided tastings if you want to know what you’re drinking beyond “this one is good!”

This year, BeerMad has a new outdoor home on Avenida del Planetario, next to Parque Enrique Tierno Galván and the Mercado de Productores. Even better: entry is free.

📅 Fri 25: 17:00–23:00 | Sat 26: 11:00–23:00 | Sun 27: 11:00–19:00

Small tip: Take public transport and start with smaller pours if you want to explore a few breweries.

Come curious. Leave with a very specific opinion about IPAs. 🍻

🎨 Your Saturday Night, With a Little More Art

Dinner at 11pm is normal in Madrid, so what are you doing at 9? Apparently, going to a museum.

Every Saturday night, the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza stays open until 23:00, with free entry from 21:00 to 23:00 for its temporary exhibitions on the ground floor and level -1. It’s part of Thyssen Nights, giving you a very Madrid way to start your Saturday evening: art first, drinks later.

This September, you can catch Carmen Laffón: Variations, running until September 27. And the best part? You don’t need to book or get a ticket.

Best for: A low-effort cultural plan before heading out for the night.

Go for the paintings, stay for the “we actually did something cultural this weekend” feeling. 🌙

🏮 Make a Wish, Then Send It Floating

Madrid is about to look a little more magical after sunset.

The Water Lantern Festival is coming to Parque Juan Carlos I, where you can decorate your own lantern with a wish, message or drawing before releasing it onto the water alongside hundreds of glowing lights.

There’s also live music, food and drinks while you wait for sunset, so bring a blanket, find a spot by the lake and make an evening of it. Your ticket includes the lantern kit and markers, with tickets currently starting from €20.90 per person for groups of four.

📍 Parque Juan Carlos I
📅 September 18–19 on the current Fever listing
🎟️ From €20.90

Small tip: It’s completely outdoors, so bring an extra layer for later in the evening, and double-check your date when booking.

🍦 Five Gelatos, One Very Good Excuse to Explore Madrid

Now here is pretty sweet reason to leave campus this week!

Madrid Gelato Week runs from September 15–20, turning the city into a mini gelato trail. One ticket gets you five gelatos at five different spots: Brando in Chueca, Helados Sienna, Bibì e Bibò, Los Alpes and Gelato Lab inside Mercado de la Cebada. Each shop is also serving a special limited-edition flavor inspired by local tastes.

The best part? There’s no need to attempt five gelatos in one heroic afternoon. You can spread the route across the week. Tickets start at €12 for five gelatos, with a €16 option if three flavors per stop sounds more like your speed.

Small tip: Don’t leave Gelato Lab until Sunday, it’ll be closed that day. Otherwise, grab a friend, pick a neighborhood and consider this your sweetest Madrid walking tour, it rewards itself 🍨

🍸 Madrid Is Shaking Things Up

From September 25 to October 4, Madrid Cocktail Week takes over more than 50 cocktail bars around the city.
There will be special creations, pairings, workshops and appearances from experts bartenders... basically, plenty of reasons to explore Madrid one glass at a time.

And it’s not all about strong drinks. No-Low Alcohol cocktails are part of this year’s focus too, so anyone can join in on the fun.

Small tip: Check the participating bars before heading out and build your own mini route around one neighborhood. Different venues have their own schedules and experiences.

🍴 Five-Star Hotels, Without the Five-Star Stay

Ever wanted to walk into one of Madrid’s fanciest hotels just for a tapa? This is your excuse.

From September 17–27, Hotel Tapa Tour turns 29 of Madrid’s four- and five-star hotels into one big food route. You'll find signature tapas, creative croquetas and sweet bites, often paired with Ribera del Duero wine, cava, beer or cocktails.

There are 9 official routes, so you can pick an area and hop between a few hotels rather than crossing Madrid for every bite. And no, you don’t need to be staying there: for the regular tour, there’s no reservation required. Just choose your tapa and pay directly at each hotel.

Small tip: Make it a mini crawl with friends and try one tapa at each stop instead of settling into just one hotel.

Basically, five-star dining without needing a five-star room key. 🔑🍷

Campus Bites 😋: 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. 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 sunny day 🤩🌞

🌞 Saturday Plans? Sorted. See You at Olavide

Okay friends, here's a chill, no fuss plan. The Festival by Olavide is on this Saturday 19th, and it’s exactly the kind of wholesome-but-fun Madrid plan we love.

Plaza de Olavide turns into an open-air market filled with local designers, art, handmade pieces, cute finds for your piso, good food, and live music, all with that sunny Chamberí energy that makes you remember why you chose to live here! 🛍️🎶

It’s low commitment (just show up), high reward (you’ll absolutely find something you don’t need but suddenly can’t live without).

📍 Plaza de Olavide
🗓️ September 19
⏰ Usually runs late morning through the evening

💳 New to Madrid? Get This Card on Your Radar

New city, new student ID… and one card that’s actually worth having.

If you’re 30 or under and living in Madrid, you can get the Carné Joven completely free. It unlocks discounts and special offers on everything from cinemas, museums and restaurants to travel, shopping, sports and activities... handy when you have ten months of Madrid to explore!

You can apply online or visit one of Madrid’s 75+ issuing points with your ID. And good news: you don’t need to be empadronado to apply.

Small tip: Get it sorted early and make a habit of checking for a Carné Joven discount before booking plans.

Madrid is expensive enough. Take the discount when Madrid offers you one. 😉

🩷 Why the Pink Containers in Plaza de Colón?

No, Madrid hasn’t suddenly changed its recycling system. It’s ADN Fórum.

From September 24–27, Plaza de Colón turns into a free, open-air exhibition dedicated to art, architecture and contemporary design. The concept is hard to miss: bright pink shipping containers become mini exhibition spaces, with installations created by artists, designers and participating brands.

This year’s edition brings together 15 artists and more than 20 brands, making it an easy cultural stop if you’re already around Serrano or Barrio de Salamanca. And unlike many design events, you don’t need an invitation or ticket to wander in.

📍 Plaza de Colón
📅 September 24–27
🎟️ Free entry

Small tip: Go in the late afternoon, explore the installations and then continue your walk up Serrano.

Come for the pink containers. Stay because Madrid made a roundabout surprisingly artsy. 🎨

👠 Madrid’s Most Fashionable Streets Are Having a Party

No Fashion Week invitation? No problem. This one happens right on the street.

On September 17, Vogue Fashion’s Night Out takes over Barrio de Salamanca for an evening of fashion, beauty and live music. Ortega y Gasset is at the heart of the action, with the event stretching to Velázquez this year.

Expect brand pop-ups, beauty experiences and plenty of people-watching, plus free outdoor concerts. The line-up starts at 19:00 and includes Katteyes, Sita Abellán DJ, Gara Durán and Lala Love You, followed by a surprise artist at 22:30.

📍 Ortega y Gasset & Velázquez
📅 Thursday, September 17

Small tip: Go early, explore the brand activations and stay for the later concerts, the area gets busy as the evening goes on.

Consider this your excuse to dress slightly better than usual on a Thursday. 👠🎶

🪄 Hogwarts Is Taking Over the Sky

No Platform 9¾ required for this one, just a trip to the Hipódromo.

On September 16 and 18, the DroneArt Show: Harry Potter™ brings the Wizarding World to Madrid with 1,200 illuminated drones forming characters and iconic moments from the films above the Hipódromo de la Zarzuela.

The drones move in sync with music from the original soundtracks, while a live electric violinist adds a little extra drama below. Everyone also gets an LED wristband that becomes part of the show.

📍 Hipódromo de la Zarzuela
📅 September 16 & 18
🕘 21:00 | Doors open 19:00
⏱️ Around 60 minutes

Small tip: It’s outdoors and late entry may not be allowed, so arrive early and bring an extra layer.

Accio plans for Wednesday night. 🪄

🍢 Madrid Is Giving the Gilda Its Own Festival

Olive, anchovy, piparra… apparently three ingredients are enough to deserve a 12-hour celebration.

On Saturday, September 19, Gilda Fest brings together gilda specialists from across Spain for a full day dedicated to one of the country’s favorite bites. Expect more than 50 different versions, alongside vermouth, traditional pinchos and cocktails.

And there’s more than food: live music, DJ sets, a gourmet market and even a mechanical bull are all part of the plan. You can also join the slightly ambitious attempt to create the longest gilda.

📍 Autocine Madrid
🕐 12:00–00:00
🎟️ Tickets from €7

Small tip: Come hungry and make an afternoon of it rather than trying to sample everything at once.

🍰 Sweet Saturday night plans

On September 23 at 7 PM, Pastelle Kitchen in Chamberí is hosting Cake & Wine, an adults-only workshop where you decorate your own mini cake while enjoying a glass of wine, beer or a non-alcoholic drink.

For €40, they provide the cake, colorful creams, toppings, sprinkles and all the tools you need. And before you panic about your piping skills: no experience is needed. This is much more about having fun than creating the next pastry masterpiece.

📍 Pastelle Kitchen, Calle Luchana 28
💸 €40 per person

Small tip: Spots are limited, so this is one to book rather than leave for a spontaneous Wednesday night.

Worst case? Your cake looks questionable. It will still taste like cake. 🍷🎂

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Discovering IE Perks 💙💸

Flights, hotels, dinners, new headphones, even that laptop you’ve been eyeing... IE Perks gives you exclusive discounts and cashback just for being part of IE. It’s the kind of portal you forget exists… until you save €40 on a weekend trip.
Go take a peek now. Your next splurge might just come with a sweet little refund 😉