The 15 things to do in Havana

Visit Havana: what are the best things to do and see in the capital of Cuba?

Cuba... Certainly one of the most exciting, most wonderful, most enchanting destinations and experiences on the largest island in the West Indies. More than Cuba , it is Havana that remains the quiet heart of this island, a capital sometimes abandoned, sometimes flowering, whose beauty and reputation have never been worried. Havana is a city in charge of its historical past but it is also a place where culture closes the arts. So what to visit Havana? Is there any precise places away from the sight of the mass tourists that can still be seen?

There are first sightseeings of Havana: first, when you arrive in the capital, you will be surprised by the natural beauty and diversity of cultural sites. In the heart of Havana, the alleys have all this charm that operates on tourists with their unique style and decorations. The old buildings and balconies attract the eyes. It is impossible not to be seduced by this atmosphere out of another age. The historic centre of Havana is part of UNESCO’s world heritage: here you can find buildings with Andalusian influences, it is also here that you can make wonderful walks, not forgetting to discover the square of the Cathedral with its famous church.

To help you organize your trip, you can find the best things to do in Havana:

1. The statue of Christ

It is a very interesting place to visit: indeed, this statue is very similar to that of the Christ Redeemer from Rio de Janeiro, without having the arms spread out. From this point of view, you have the opportunity to discover a panorama of the entire city of Havana. It looks like Christ himself comes to bless this city.

2. The cemetery Christophe Colomb

Known and renowned for its size and beauty, it is considered simply as the largest cemetery in all Latin America with nearly 1 million tombs. Most tombs are decorated by sculptors from Cuba. It is a national monument of Cuba but it does not contain the tomb of Christopher Columbus, as his name might let him think. The latter is located in the Cathedral of Seville.

3. The castle of Morro (fort El Morro)

This castle was built in the middle of the 17th century. Today open to the public, you can discover the open galleries, the prisons where African slaves were locked. A place that is both terrible and indispensable to better understand Cuba and its capital. Note that the chapel can be visited.

4. The Paseo de Martí

Also nicknamed the “Paseo del Prado”, this avenue is surely the emblem to visit in Havana: extremely crowded, this avenue of about 1 kilometer long, joining the Parque de la Fraternidad to the Malecón (the pier) and attracting tourists, badauds, locals. It is divided into 3 parts: the Promenade, the central park and the Esplanade du Capitole. Come and discover this unique atmosphere, admire the bronze statues, take a break on the stone benches, also take a stroll to the flea market with all these street vendors who offer you paintings.

5. El Templete

This historic monument is located on the Place des Armes (Place des Armes) Plaza des Armas ). It is a neo-classical building that resembles a Greek temple in miniature. Its particularity is that its construction is carried out in the exact place where the city of Havana was founded. Inside, you will have the opportunity to discover a museum while the outside will charm you with its small garden where you can admire the bust of Christopher Columbus or that of the first governor of the city, namely Don Hernando de Soto.

6. San Cristobal Cathedral

Probably one of the most popular tourist sites in Havana. The so-called Cathedral of the Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception was built by the Jesuits who began her construction in the middle of the 18th century to replace the hermitage that was at that location. To discover and admire in silence. It is located in one of the oldest quarters of the old town.

7. The Hamel callejon

Why not another street? It is located in the Cayo Hueso area, in the heart of Havana, and it is only 200 metres away; Yet there is an intense activity between Cubans and tourists who go and come. It is especially for the colors that come to adorn the walls that people will discover this street not like others. Thus, you will discover a mixture of religious symbols, poems and legends. This street is synonymous with street art in Havana but also with its love for Afro-Cuban culture. A true sanctuary and a reference to feel the Cuban soul. Note that many small concerts are improvised and the local population dances, fun, drinks and singing. To see and live expressly.

The small street Callejon de Hamel is located between the streets Aramburu and Hospital, close to the great avenue San Lazaro.

8. The Castillo de la Real Fuerza

This magnificent castle dates from the 16th century; surmounted by a girouette called the Giraldilla, it is also the symbol of the city of Havana. Castillo de la Real Fuerza is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He used to protect the city of pirates.

9. National Museum of Fine Arts of Cuba

Following several moves, the museum has been divided into two buildings since 2001: the first is a modern building, the Palacio de Bellas Artes (photo), which houses Cuban art collections, and an old building, the Palacio del Centro Asturiano , which houses the rest of the collections. About 7600 m2 you will be able to admire more than 1200 paintings, sculptures, engravings, from the 16th century to the present day. The palace is divided into 8 thematic areas on nearly 24 rooms. Note that the museum is located right next to Memorial Granma, where the central market was once located.

10. El Capitolio

This building is intended to be a replica of the true Capitol in Washington; The former headquarters of the Cuban government is today the Academy of Sciences of the island, which sits proudly there. One can admire a gigantic statue representing the Republic: it is the third largest in the world after the Golden Buddha in Japan and the Lincoln statue in the United States.

11. The Grand Theatre

Located in a majestic building, Havana’s great theatre is surely one of the world’s largest theatres. He was founded in 1838 and has several theatres for theatrical performances of course, but also for concerts, lectures or to serve as an art gallery. To discover its façade, which consists of 4 symbolic sculptures representing music, theatre, education and charity.

12. Le Café del Oriente

To go refresh yourself, to rest, read a few hours, to let Havana’s life immerse yourself, why not go for a drink or enjoy a delicious French-inspired cuisine at Café del Oriente? With its somewhat old character, its tuxedo servers, woodwork on the walls, this luxurious restaurant is a place to discover. For gourmets as for gourmets! The address: Oficios No. 112 esq. Amargura, Plaza de San Francisco, Habana Vieja

13. The H. Upmann cigar factory

Finally, Havana and Cuba would not be what they are without their famous cigars. Go to the Upmann cigar factory and go to the shop where you will see that we play elbows to find the cigar and the rum bottle of his choice. Irresistible.

14. Nightlife, in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway

Meet at El Floridita Café ( Obispo No. 557 esq. a Monserrate, Havana 10100 ) where Ernest Hemingway spent his afternoons drinking daiquiris. The American writer lived, wrote some novels, and left an incredible heritage in Havana. Visit the eponymous museum. For the rest, you will find here all the information for go out to Havana .

15. Other ideas of visits to Havana

• A walk on the Malecón (it was useless to mention it), a walk of 8 kilometers long
• Visit the Revolutionary Museum that recounts the Cuban Revolution of 1959 led by Fidel Castro and Ernesto Che Guevara
• See also the Havana Auto Museum
• Don’t miss the Bacardi Building in the heart of the city with its Art Deco style. You can visit it and enjoy a delicious cocktail (based on rum of course) in the bar

How to go to Havana?

The main airport of the country is in Havana, where flights are operated regularly from Paris, Lyon, Nice and Marseille. Air France, Condor and Cubana are the main companies on this journey. Do not hesitate to save time by looking for the best prices according to your dates of stay on Skyscanner .

Where to stay in Havana?

If there was only one neighbourhood to choose for house in Havana , that would be Centro Habana , but that of Vedado is also worth it. There are few youth hostels, but in general, housing is relatively cheap in the capital and elsewhere in Cuba. Attention, however, to holiday periods where hotels are quickly complete. To find a cheap hotel in Havana, search this Compare hotels .

Have you visited Havana?