Top Things To Do in Havana, Cuba
On first impression, Havana can seem confusing and illogical – the result of independence wars, a revolution, and a U.S. trade embargo. Spend enough time with an open mind, however, and Havana will begin to beguile.
Are you ready to be seduced by Havana? We have prepared a list of the top things to do in Havana, Cuba.
Take a Tour of Old Havana
Havana contains a maze of streets and a variety of sites. A great way to familiarize yourself to Havana is by taking a guided tour, either in one of the many available vintage car taxis or a horse-drawn carriage. Tour guides are knowledgable and cover all the major sites in Old Havana, with stops at significant points along the route. Tours last 1-2 hours and cost around 30 CUC (although this can be negotiated beforehand).
Explore Havana’s Plazas
Havana is full of unique, colorful plazas ranging from old to new, from empty to congested. Plaza de la Catedral is one of the more popular plazas in Havana because it provides beautiful views of the baroque Cathedral of Havana. The Plaza de Armas is Havana’s oldest square with a beautiful, palm-lined park at its center. Plaza Vieja (Old Square) is Havana’s most architecturally eclectic square as it is surround my buildings from four different centuries. The Plaza de San Francisco borders the port of Havana and contains the picturesque Basilica Menor de San Franciso de Asis.
Explore Havana’s Plazas
Havana is full of unique, colorful plazas ranging from old to new, from empty to congested. Plaza de la Catedral is one of the more popular plazas in Havana because it provides beautiful views of the baroque Cathedral of Havana. The Plaza de Armas is Havana’s oldest square with a beautiful, palm-lined park at its center. Plaza Vieja (Old Square) is Havana’s most architecturally eclectic square as it is surround my buildings from four different centuries. The Plaza de San Francisco borders the port of Havana and contains the picturesque Basilica Menor de San Franciso de Asis.
Viva la Revolucion!
A huge mural of revolutionary Che Guevara adorns the Ministry of Interior building in the Plaza de la Revolucion. The visage is accompanied by the words Hasta la Victoria Siempre (Always Toward Victory).
Tour a Cigar Factory
Cuba is famous for its cigars, so it would be a crime to visit Havana and not tour a cigar factory. One of the most famous cigar factories is the Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas. The original home of the Partagas factory is located behind the Capital building. It has been closed for repairs since 2011. The Partagas cigar showroom and store can still be found at this location, however. The Partagas factory is currently located in the former El Rey del Mundo factory. You must purchase tour tickets at the Saratoga Hotel across from the Capital building (not too far from the old Partagas factory). Once you have purchased tickets, a taxi can transport you to the current factory location.
Catch the Sunset Along the Malecon
The Malecon is Havana’s 7km-long sea wall. Vintage cars traverse the six-lane roadway that runs along the seawall. Colorful, decrepit buildings line the far side of the thoroughfare. On cooler days, the massive waves crash over the sea wall, dousing cars and passersby with salt water. The Malecon is especially picturesque at sunset, making it a favorite location for lovers, minstrels, photographers, and tourists.
Explore Ancient Fortifications
Havana is home to one of the oldest and most prosperous ports in the New World. The Spanish built a number of fortifications along the coastline in order to protect the port. The Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Castle of the Royal Force) is one of the most notable forts in Havana. Locate near the Plaza de Armasa and built between 1558 and 1577, it is one of the oldest forts in the America. An impressive moat surrounds the castle. Its watchtower is crowned by the famous bronze weather vane known as La Giraldilla – the symbol of Havana.
Castillo de la Real Fuerza and La Giraldilla atop the watchtower
Witness the Cannon Firing Ceremony
A canon is fired from the top of Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña each night at 9pm. This traditional ceremony which signals the closing of the city gates has been performed since the 18th century. Although Havana no longer has city gates, the ceremony is a popular evening event where actors dress in traditional military regalia to reenact the firing of the canon over the harbor.
Visit the Museum of the Revolution
This popular museum resides in the former Presidential Palace. Most of the exhibits focus primarily on the events leading up to, during, and immediately after the Cuban revolution. Exhibits are scattered throughout three floors. Everything is heavily skewed with propaganda, which is no surprise. A pavilion on the back side of the museum contains vehicles and rockets associated with the Cuban revolution. The most notable outdoor exhibit is the Granma, a replica of the yacht that carried Fidel Castro and 81 other revolutionaries from Mexico to Cuba in 1956.
Shop at the Almancenes San Jose Market
Located in a converted warehouse along the harbor on Avenida del Puerto, the Almancenes San Jose market can at first seem daunting. Crowded stalls offer row after row of kitschy handicrafts, carvings, textiles, and tobacco paraphernalia. If you are looking for souvenirs, you can probably find it here at a reasonable price. Sometimes a little hunting will reveal some great deals on original and unique items.
Shop at the Almancenes San Jose Market
Located in a converted warehouse along the harbor on Avenida del Puerto, the Almancenes San Jose market can at first seem daunting. Crowded stalls offer row after row of kitschy handicrafts, carvings, textiles, and tobacco paraphernalia. If you are looking for souvenirs, you can probably find it here at a reasonable price. Sometimes a little hunting will reveal some great deals on original and unique items.
Have a Drink
Cuba is the birthplace of the mojito and daiquiri drinks – offspring of Cuba’s rum production. Both mojitos and daiquiris are widely available throughout Havana, but there are classic spots for trying each drink. For a mojito, check out the Museo del Ron in the Fundacion Havana Club. The museum shows the rum-making process with a bar and shop on-site.
Planning a Trip to Cuba?
Ready to fly to Cuba? Check out cheap flights here.
U.S. Citizens are required to purchase a visa before entering Cuba. Prices range from $50 to $100 and vary by airline. Some airlines partner with an agency to fulfill visa requests. We used Cuba Travel Services (1-800-617-1902) and paid $50 per visa.
The Cuban government requires U.S. Citizens to have local health insurance. Some airlines include it in the fare. For everyone else, we recommend World Nomads.
Looking for a place to stay? AirBnB is available in Cuba. Use this link to receive $40 off your first visit.
Water in Cuba is not safe to drink. We recommend (and use) a SteriPen to sterilize our drinking water. You might also consider a LifeStraw Go Water Bottle.