Hidden gem attractions in Sevilla off the beaten path

And these are just some of the places and monuments, to name but a few, that you have to see. No buts, no excuses. But what if you're someone who's already done your homework? What now? 

Well, there are more things to see in Seville than there are days in the year, and that's why we bring you some interesting things to satisfy the curiosity of the most intrepid travellers. Here we bring you some of Seville's hidden gems. 

They are attractions, monuments or simply corners that are not the main ones, that are visited by fewer people but that have a special charm and deserve your full attention. Some are present in the daily life of Sevillians, others are simply treasures even for locals. Let's discover our favourites.   

Let's take a walk through the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, where our first gem is hidden, our first secret jewel in the most Sevillian Seville. Calle Reinoso is known by the locals as El callejón del beso, because from the balconies of the buildings, on either side of the street, two lovers could kiss you. How beautiful. 

And that's no exaggeration, the street is very narrow, one metre wide, and it certainly looks like something out of a fairy tale. A secret corner in the middle of the busiest part of Seville.   

We continue our stroll through the streets and head for the Judería. This street connects Calle Céspedes with Avenida Menéndez Pelayo and stands out for its simplicity. Covered with green plants, this narrow street is an example of what the city was like more than a century ago. 

It looks like something out of a fairytale, and it looks like an Instagram photo that you can't even imagine. What's more, pull it up and see who's the smartest person to guess that this is the centre of Seville. 

This place is a perfect balance in the city right now, it is a secret but it is said out loud. The Plaza del Cabildo is a semi-circular square, made up of decorated arches, orange trees, palm trees and an old city wall. 

A peaceful spot amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, but don't just come to smell the orange trees, stay for a coffee, sit and enjoy the tranquillity of another of Seville's hidden gems. Enter the square from Avenida de la Constitución and Calle Arfe. 

Wait, wait, don't get like that. We already know that Seville Cathedral is a jewel, but it's hardly a hidden gem. So what's it doing on our list of hidden attractions? Patience, because we need to explain one of Seville's great mysteries; what's a crocodile doing in the Cathedral? 

Just what you read, and it's not the only thing. It turns out that Seville Cathedral has four quite random hidden objects that nobody knows what they do here and what their functions are. You tell me what the Patio de los Naranjos has an elephant's tusk, a horse's bridle, a baton and the famous crocodile. 

And while there are many theories as to what the hell they do, none have been officially accepted, so you're free to come up with your own theory, from an architect who was a funny guy to an unfinished game of Jumanji. 

By the way, you can't leave the Iglesia del Salvador off your must-see list. It is a real gem, but it is sometimes hidden behind the long shadow of Seville Cathedral. Its beauty is the result of its interesting history; baroque, gothic and mudejar elements are mixed in its architecture.  

If this 17th century building was already one of those little Sevillian treasures that the city kept with care, now that it is the Velázquez Centre, it has become a must-see. 

Diego Velázquez is the centre of this place, where you will be amazed, not only by his life and work, but also by the interior of the rooms of the old hospital, its vaulted ceilings and interior courtyards. Immerse yourself in a corner of the past full of beauty. 

This palace, one of the many in Seville that can be visited, is like the Church of El Salvador, in itself a jewel, but sometimes overshadowed by other even greater and better known traction. In this case, the Palacio de las Dueñas is the one that gets the most attention. The residence of the Casa de Alba is a 15th century palace that is a central part of the city's recent history and of the local Sevillian aristocracy. 

The Palace of the Countess of Lebrija is a cultural asset, with elements you are going to love, from its façade to the interior courtyards and library, as well as the decoration and its arches. It is another of those gems that Seville has in store for the best treasure hunters. 

This is a corner of pure Seville art. Here, in an intimate atmosphere, you can experience the true passion of flamenco singing and dancing. All you have to do is sit down, get lost in the crowd and enjoy how the magic is born, in the middle of a typical Sevillian house. 

Another gem for those of you who are architecture buffs. And even if you are not, this corner is pure timeless Moroccan beauty. At the famous Expo ‘92, the Kingdom of Morocco donated this building, which is used as the centre of the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation.   

Seville is built on history, on civilisations that arrived here centuries ago and created the basis of the city we know today. And for proof, here's a button. Under the Metropol Parasol, which is nothing less than the largest wooden structure in the world, we will find the Antiquarium. 

In this underground museum we will find structures and remains of past civilisations, mainly from Roman times. From house foundations to mosaics and everyday objects. Further proof of Seville's impressive history and a jewel you can't miss. 

What was once a fully-functioning shipbuilding industry between the 13th and 15th centuries are now large, empty ships that are a reminder of the power the place once had. By the way, if you are a fan of the series ‘Game of Thrones’, this place might ring a bell...