VETA Galería Madrid

Art lovers, you need to check out this diaphanous new(ish) gallery in southwest Madrid’s Carabanchel district. It’s the biggest contemporary art gallery in the city, so once you’ve had your fill of the Old Masters at the Prado, why not get off the beaten track? The first time I went, I had the place to myself - quite a contrast from the tourist-saturated centre.

VETA is the brainchild of Fer Francés, a young gallerist who chose this 1,200m2 space in the working-class neighbourhood of Carabanchel to take advantage of low rents and the availability of large abandoned warehouses and factories. Property in Madrid has become so expensive; people are starting to look to less central areas such as Carabanchel to live and open small businesses. While still far from being gentrified, there are plenty of green shoots to be found there; cool restaurants, microbreweries and galleries ready to be discovered by the intrepid traveller.

I am still exploring, so watch this space for new spots!