Havana is one of Cuba’s most enchanting and historically richest cities, where colonial architecture, revolutionary memories, and Caribbean atmosphere blend together. Discovering the Cuban capital offers an unforgettable experience for every traveler!
The Cuban capital is the largest city in the Caribbean region, boasting over 500 years of history and rich cultural heritage. The city’s unique atmosphere is created by Spanish colonial architecture, Soviet-era remnants, and historic sites of the Cuban Revolution. Havana is located just 160 km from Key West, Florida, in a south-southwest direction.
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Havana attractions
Habana Vieja (Old Town)
The historic heart of Havana and a UNESCO World Heritage site preserves the original core of the colonial city founded in the 16th century.
Walking through the narrow streets of the old town, we can discover magnificent examples of Spanish colonial architecture. Among the carefully restored buildings stand baroque and neoclassical churches, palaces, and residential houses. An authentic Cuban atmosphere prevails on the cobblestone streets, where locals and tourists alike can enjoy the special ambiance.
Plaza de Armas
Havana’s oldest and most significant square is the site of the city’s founding and the former center of colonial power.
Its historical significance extends beyond colonial times, as it was also the venue for numerous important events of the Cuban independence movements and revolution. The buildings surrounding the square house museums, galleries, and cultural institutions that showcase Cuba’s rich history and cultural heritage.
El Capitolio
One of Havana’s most spectacular and famous buildings, built in 1929 following the model of the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC.
The monumental neoclassical building stands prominently in the cityscape with its 91-meter-high dome. The building’s facade is decorated with Corinthian columns, while the interior features marble coverings and stunning frescoes awaiting visitors. The former seat of the Cuban parliament now functions as a museum and cultural center.
A special feature of the building is that Cuban kilometer markers measure distances from here throughout the entire country. The Capitol steps are a popular meeting place for locals, while providing tourists with perfect photography opportunities. The park surrounding the building and the nearby Prado promenade offer pleasant rest areas during sightseeing.
Plaza de la Catedral
One of Havana’s most beautiful squares combines masterpieces of colonial architecture in an enchanting environment.
The square is dominated by the stunning Havana Cathedral, which was once built to house Christopher Columbus’s remains. The baroque-style church with its two asymmetrical towers and rich stone carvings is an outstanding example of colonial art. Inside the church, valuable paintings and religious artworks can be viewed.
Beautiful colonial palaces surround the square, now housing museums, galleries, and restaurants. Cultural events and concerts are frequently held on the cobblestone square, where the sounds of traditional Cuban music fill the historic environment.
Paseo de Martí
Havana’s central promenade is one of the city’s most important transportation routes.
The wide, shaded tree-lined avenue leads from the Capitol building toward the sea, passing through the city’s most important cultural and historical institutions. Numerous important buildings line the promenade, including the National Theater, museums, and historic palaces. The promenade, also known as the Prado, is a meeting place for all levels of Cuban society.
The promenade’s specialty is that it features numerous bronze lion statues that have become symbols of the city. In the evenings, locals often gather here to chat, play dominoes, or simply enjoy the Caribbean night atmosphere.
Gran Teatro de La Habana
One of the centers of Havana’s cultural life, home to one of Latin America’s most beautiful opera houses.
The neo-baroque building, constructed in 1838 and rebuilt in 1915, is one of the city’s gems with its stunning facade and rich decoration. The theater not only hosts opera and ballet performances but is also the headquarters of the famous Cuban National Ballet. The building’s four floors provide a total of 1,500 seats, and the interior luxury rivals the world’s most famous opera houses.
Throughout the theater’s history, world stars such as Enrico Caruso and Sarah Bernhardt performed here. After the Cuban Revolution, the building maintained its cultural significance and remains one of the city’s most important artistic centers today. Visitors can explore the building not only during performances but also through guided tours to discover the theater’s treasures.
Malecón
Havana’s legendary seaside promenade is one of the city’s most iconic and romantic locations.
The eight-kilometer-long waterfront promenade runs along Havana Bay, offering breathtaking views of the sea and city. The Malecón serves both as a seawall against ocean waves and as a social space for Havanans. Sitting on the wide stone wall, locals and tourists alike can enjoy the sunset and the magic of the Caribbean Sea.
Numerous historic buildings line the promenade, including the famous Hotel Nacional and various museums. The Malecón becomes particularly magical in the evening. The sea breeze and sounds of Cuban music create that unique atmosphere that draws visitors from around the world.
Plaza de la Revolución
One of the most important sites in Cuban history where the revolution’s greatest moments unfolded.
The massive 72,000 square meter square is considered a symbol of the Cuban Revolution and still hosts the most important state celebrations today. In the center of the square stands José Martí’s monument, a 138-meter-high obelisk from whose top a panoramic view of the entire city opens up. At the base of the monument is a museum showcasing the life of the Cuban independence hero and the history of the revolution.
The facades of buildings surrounding the square display massive steel portraits of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos, immortalizing iconic figures of the revolution. These images have become symbols of the Cuban Revolution.
Castillo del Morro
The legendary fortress defending Havana has guarded the entrance to Havana Bay since the 16th century.
Together with the San Salvador de la Punta fortress, these two fortresses protected the city from pirate and enemy fleet attacks. The fortress built on a rocky peninsula occupies a spectacular location and offers stunning views of the sea and city. Within the fortress walls is a museum showcasing the history of the Cuban navy and colonial defense.
One of the fort’s most famous traditions is the cannon firing every evening at 9 PM, which originally signaled the closing of the city gates. Today this ceremony has become a tourist attraction, with numerous visitors gathering every evening to watch this historic ritual.
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
The oldest still-functioning fortress in the Americas, built in 1577 to defend Spanish colonial power.
The fortress stands on the shore of Havana Bay and is a perfect example of 16th-century Spanish military engineering. Within the fort’s walls, the Maritime Museum now displays Cuba’s maritime history and the story of the famous Spanish treasure fleets. The Giraldilla statue on the fortress tower is Havana’s official symbol.
The fort’s specialty is that Spanish gold fleets departed from here toward Europe, loaded with treasures from the Caribbean and South America. The fort’s museum displays a model of the famous La Santísima Trinidad galleon, along with numerous maritime relics and navigation instruments.
Calle Obispo
One of Havana’s Old Town’s liveliest streets, running between Plaza de Armas and Parque Central.
Along the pedestrian street are numerous shops, restaurants, cafés, and galleries where visitors can purchase Cuban handicrafts, books, and souvenirs. The street’s historic buildings house museums, hotels, and cultural institutions.
The street’s specialty is that it contains the former homes and workplaces of numerous famous Cuban writers and artists. Many bars and Ernest Hemingway’s former hangout, the Floridita cocktail bar, are also nearby. Live Cuban music can often be heard along the street, and street art creations also color the building walls.
Hotel Nacional de Cuba
One of the city’s most elegant and famous hotels has welcomed the world’s most renowned personalities since 1930.
The Art Deco hotel along the Malecón is a symbol of Cuban luxury and elegance. The hotel’s guests included Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Ernest Hemingway, and numerous other world stars. The building serves not only as a hotel but also functions as a museum where visitors can learn about the golden age of the Cuban entertainment industry.
In the hotel’s garden is the famous Salón Rojo, where the world’s most famous dancers and musicians performed in the first half of the 20th century. Concerts and cultural events are still regularly held here today. From the hotel’s terraces, there are beautiful views of the sea and the Malecón promenade.
Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC)
Havana’s most modern and creative cultural center, which transformed a former oil refinery into a contemporary art space.
FAC offers a unique cultural experience where Cuban and international contemporary art meet. Different rooms in the building house paintings, sculptures, installations, and video art works.
Its specialty is that traditional Cuban culture meets modern artistic trends here. The center regularly hosts concerts where Cuban jazz, electronic music, and traditional son cubano blend. The building’s industrial character and modern artistic works create a unique atmosphere.
Best musuems in Havana
Museo de la Revolución
Cuba’s most important historical museum presents the complete history of the Cuban Revolution and independence struggles.
The museum is housed in the former Presidential Palace, which was Fulgencio Batista’s former residence. The exhibition chronologically presents the most important events in Cuban history, from José Martí’s independence struggles to the revolution’s victory. The museum’s rich collection includes original documents, weapons, and personal items from the revolution.
One of the museum’s most interesting parts is the Granma yacht, on which Fidel Castro and his companions arrived from Mexico in 1956. The pavilion built around the boat presents the story of the revolution’s beginning. In the museum’s courtyard, tanks and other military equipment erected in memory of the Batista regime’s fall can be seen.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
Cuba’s most significant fine arts museum houses the largest collection of Cuban and Latin American art.
The museum is located in two buildings: one presents Cuban art, the other the universal art collection. The Cuban collection encompasses the development of Cuban fine arts from colonial times to contemporary artists. Here you can see works by great figures of Cuban painting, including Wifredo Lam, René Portocarrero, and Amelia Peláez.
The universal collection contains European, Asian, and Latin American artistic works. The museum places special emphasis on placing Cuban art in an international context and presenting the Caribbean region’s cultural heritage.
Havana Club Rum Museum
Located in the old town, this museum offers a unique insight into the history and tradition of Cuban rum production.
Housed in a colonial-style building, the museum guides visitors through the process from sugar cane cultivation to distillation and aging, right through to bottling. Its collection includes various original tools, wooden barrels, distillation equipment, as well as old bottles and advertising posters that illustrate the development of Cuban rum culture.
As part of the exhibition, visitors can also see a miniature sugar cane processing plant and gain an insight into the lives of old Cuban rum makers. At the end of the visit, rum tasting awaits those interested, where they can sample the different types of the famous Havana Club.
La Cabana de Che Guevara
Located in a quiet neighborhood of Havana, this museum pays tribute to the iconic figure of the Cuban Revolution.
The house where Che Guevara once lived with his family now serves as a museum, showcasing the revolutionary’s life, ideas, and daily routine. Visitors can gain insight into how one of the most famous leaders of the revolution lived and worked, while also getting a more personal picture of him—not only as a warrior, but also as a father and doctor.
The museum’s collection consists of personal items, letters, photographs, military uniforms, and documents that illustrate Che Guevara’s life and revolutionary activities.
Havana weather: when is the best time to visit?
Havana has a tropical savanna climate that provides warm weather year-round, but divides into two main seasons: the dry and rainy seasons.
Dry season (November-April):
The dry season is the best time to visit Havana, when temperatures range between 20-28°C and rainfall is minimal. The air is less humid, creating pleasant conditions for sightseeing. Northeast trade winds moderate the heat, and the number of sunny days is maximum during this period.
Rainy season (May-October):
During the rainy season, temperatures range between 25-33°C, but due to high humidity, the heat index can feel much higher. Rainfall typically occurs as short, intense showers in the afternoon or evening. Between August and September, there may be hurricane risk, which can affect travel plans.
Best time for travel:
For exploring Havana, the most ideal period is the dry season (November-April), when the weather is pleasant, rainfall is minimal, and the city’s cultural life is most active.
Frequently asked questions about Havana
Havana is in the Eastern Time Zone (Cuba Standard Time, UTC-4), and Cuba observes daylight saving time. In spring, clocks are moved forward by 1 hour, while in autumn they are moved back by 1 hour.
The official language of Havana is Spanish. English is spoken by some people in tourist areas – such as hotels, restaurants, and museums – but for smoother communication with locals, it’s worth learning a few basic expressions in Spanish or using a translation app.
Cuba’s official currency is the Cuban peso (CUP). US dollars and other foreign currencies are generally not accepted for cash payments, but credit cards can be used in some places, especially in MLC (foreign currency) stores. It’s advisable to exchange for Cuban pesos after arrival, and always have enough cash with you, as card payments don’t work in many places.
From José Martí International Airport to downtown Havana, the most convenient way is by taxi, which takes about 30-40 minutes. Official taxis charge fixed rates, and it’s worth agreeing on the price at the airport. Public transport is available, but it’s not always comfortable and can be difficult for tourists to navigate.
In Havana, the most practical forms of transportation are taxi, „collectivo” (shared taxi), or walking, especially in the old town area. Bus transport is cheap, but often crowded and can be complicated for tourists. Rental bikes or sightseeing buses can also be good alternatives.
Havana is a relatively safe city, especially in tourist areas. Violent crimes are rare, but it’s worth being careful of pickpockets, especially in crowded places. At night, it’s safer to travel in groups and avoid dark, deserted streets.
Cuban people are friendly and direct, but it’s worth avoiding excessive criticism or political topics in conversations. It’s polite to greet when entering a shop or restaurant, and to behave courteously with locals. Tipping is customary, especially in hospitality.
Old Havana (La Habana Vieja) – UNESCO World Heritage site with beautiful colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and atmospheric squares.
Malecón – The famous seaside promenade from which you can watch fantastic sunsets.
Capitolio – The former parliament building, one of Havana’s most iconic neoclassical buildings.
Plaza de la Revolución – Important historical site with a huge Che Guevara portrait.
El Morro Fortress – A fortress rising above the sea with fantastic views and historical exhibitions.
Ropa vieja – Slow-cooked beef in tomato sauce served with rice.
Moros y cristianos – Black bean rice, one of the cornerstones of Cuban cuisine.
Tostones – Twice-fried green plantains, served as a salty snack or side dish.
Lechón asado – Crispy-skinned, slow-roasted pork.
Flan – Caramel custard, a common dessert.