Old Havana

Visit Old Havana, the wonderful historical center of Cuba's capital, and explore its colonial past

Havana Cathedral © F.Larrede

La Habana Vieja (Old Havana), declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, is the historic center of the city of Havana. It is formed by a harbor and the official center, the Plaza de Armas. There you will find all kinds of picturesque monuments, fortresses, churches, palaces, etc. It is full of authentic architectural treasures from different periods and offers one of the most comprehensive collections of urban buildings in all America. This area of the city alone is home to more than a thousand buildings of historical importance with various examples of distinguished architecture ranging from Baroque to Art Deco.

La Habana Vieja (Old Havana), Cuba
© Lyana Fernández

Unlike typical colonial cities, Havana was developed on not one, but four main plazas: the Plaza de Armas, which was the military and defensive center as it had a fortress and a large courtyard used for military parades; the Plaza de la Catedral, which with its cathedral was used as the religious center; the Plaza Vieja, which was the commercial hub as it housed important markets; and the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, which was the main point of exportation and importation as it had a port where Spanish ships docked.

To get to the city of Havana, the best option is to fly to José Martí International Airport, a few kilometers away from Havana. Walking along streets is one of the best ways to get to know a place, and in the colorful boulevards of Old Havana there is no other way. With the fresh sea breeze in the distance, and the shaded boulevards, the Caribbean sun will not stop you from enjoying the wonderful spots that Havana's historical center has to offer, to the beat of the Latin rhythms that sound in every corner.

Page index

What is there to see in Old Havana?
What can you do in Old Havana in one day?
What are the best activities to do in Old Havana?
What are the best accommodations in Old Havana?

What are the best places to see in La Habana Vieja (Old Havana)?

The city of Havana was founded in 1519 by Diego Velázquez. For this reason, it has a very vast heritage and cultural richness, as in the case of the Casco Histórico de La Habana (Historical Center of Havana), also known as Old Havana.

Unlike other big cities, Old Havana was founded around four main plazas that make up a wonderful area. The cultural richness of Cuba, present in all the streets of the town, as well as the warmth of its people, make the walks through the historical center a charming experience.

In front of the Havana Bay, the cool sea breeze and the murmur of Latin music that plays in the city streets, you will be immersed in a world of peace and joy, which will make your trip to Havana an unforgettable experience. Walking through the streets of Havana is the best way to get to experience traditional Cuban life.

Plaza de la Catedral, Old Havana
© Guillaume Baviere

The Plaza de la Catedral is one of the four main squares in Old Havana. In it is the Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana (Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Habana), one of the most impressive architectural monuments in Cuba and one of the best examples of Cuban Baroque. This square is surrounded by other spots of great cultural interest, which have been shaping an environment full of life and color.

The Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras (Palace of the Marquises of Aguas Claras) and the Palacio del Conde de Lombillo (Palace of the Count of Lombillo), as well as the Museum of Colonial Art, are other places where you can discover all that Old Havana has to offer. But before leaving for another of the plazas, you can't miss your rendezvous with La Bodeguita del Medio, one of the best cuisine stops in Old Havana and in Cuba. It's the most famous restaurant in the city, visited by many celebrities and personalities. It offers a wonderful menu of Creole food and delicious mojitos that you can't miss.

On Calle O'Reilly, the traditional colonial style of the old houses is intertwined with other more modern buildings that host different cultural, culinary and commercial attractions. Starting at the corner with Avenida de Bélgica, we will soon find the Galería Comercial Harris Brothers (Harris Brothers Shopping Gallery). Near the corner of Calle Aguacate is the Iglesia y Convento de Santa Teresa (Church and Convent of Santa Teresa). At the eastern end of O`Reilly is La Puerta de O`Reilly. In 1827, the El Templete (Little Temple) was built here, a small neoclassical Doric temple that imitates the architecture of a Greco-Roman Temple. In addition, we can also see the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (Palace of the General Captains) and the Palacio del Segundo Cabo (Palace of the Second Cape). This is just a small sample of what the magnificence of O'Reilly Street has to offer.

Castillo de la Real Fuerza© P.Marshall

Towards the sea, near the Plaza de Armas, is the Castillo de la Real Fuerza. It is one of the most impressive castles in Cuba, a perfect example of colonial military architecture. It was built by the Spanish Empire when it dominated the waters of the Caribbean and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Inside it, the Museo de Navegación (Maritime Museum) and the Torre de la Espera (Waiting Tower) are housed, whose history tells us a beautiful legend that you must discover on your trip to Old Havana.

In Obispo Street, near the Plaza de Armas, is the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural de Cuba (National Museum of Natural History of Cuba), the perfect place to learn about the history of natural evolution of Cuba. Here, permanent and temporary exhibitions about life in Cuba are collected. It has a great amount of pieces dedicated to the fauna, the flora, the land and life. In addition, Obispo is a pedestrian street, which houses many restaurants, craft sales, old pharmacies and a host of wonderful buildings that highlight the most picturesque Old Havana. This is undoubtedly one of the most impressive streets in Havana and a must on your trip.

To reach the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, one of the best routes is to continue along Mercaderes Street to the corner with Calle Amargura. Calle Mercaderes is an exact and completely restored replica of the old street, which dates back to the 18th century. It is one of the most important streets in Old Havana, starting at the Cathedral of Havana and extending to the coast. In Mercaderes, there are a lot of places to visit and enjoy. Among others, they emphasize the Museo Casa del Chocolate (House Museum of Chocolate), the Museo del Tabaco (Tobacco Museum), Museo Casa Simón Bolívar (Simón Bolívar House Museum), Casa de la Obra Pía (House of the Pious Work) and, mainly, the Museo Maqueta de La Habana Vieja (Scale Model Museum of Old Havana).

This one is one of the most recommended places to visit in the Historical Center of the city. You can see an exact reproduction of Old Havana. It was opened in 1999 and it is periodically updated so that the model continues to be a faithful reflection of the reality of the city. The miniature Cuban capital is at your fingertips and will make your trip unforgettable.

Discover Old Havana in a Day

In case you don't have much time to enjoy Old Havana here are the places you can't miss to make your visit unforgettable.

Plaza Vieja in Old Havana © F.Larrede

Old Havana is known for its beautiful streets and plazas, where music and dance are the main attractions. Letting yourself go and feeling like another Havana resident is an incomparable experience. There are four main squares: the Plaza de Armas, where you will find a Cuban crafts market, the Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum), the Museo de Navegación (Navigation Museum) and the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Royal Force Castle); the Plaza de la Catedral, where apart from the spectacular baroque cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Habana you can admire the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras (Palace of the Marquises of Aguas Claras), the Palacio de los Condes de Casa Bayona (Palace of the Counts of the Bayona Family) and the Palacio del Marqués de Arcos (Palace of the Marquis of Arcos); The Plaza Vieja, a spectacular square faithful to the style of the 19th century that has been restored by the Havana's Historian Office and in which you will be able to find the planetarium of Havana; and the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, in colonial style and dominated by the convent that gives its name, which nowadays is a sacred art museum.

One of the best streets to walk around is Mercaderes Street, where you can find the Scale Model of Old Havana, a faithful reproduction of the historical center of the city that is updated periodically. Being able to see the city from a totally different perspective will make your visit even more enriching. You will also be able to see the Casa de la Obra Pía, a museum where you will get to know the lifestyle of the Havana aristocracy or the Museo Casa del Chocolate (Chocolate House Museum), where you will be able to discover much more about this delightful attraction. There is also the Museo del Tabaco (Tobacco Museum), a product that is still key to Cuba's development today.

Another one of the busiest streets is Obispo Street, one of the oldest and longest in Havana. Here you can enjoy many bars and restaurants where you can eat and additionally, places like the Museo de Numismática (Numismatics Museum) or the Museo de Pinturas Murales (Museum of Mural Paintings).

If you like rum, book a slot during your visit to get to know this internationally famous liquor in depth at the Museo del Ron Havana Club (Havana Club Rum Museum). To end your day, there is nothing better than drinking a cool mojito at the La Bodeguita del Medio, where illustrious figures such as Ernest Hemingway, Salvador Allende and Pablo Neruda already enjoyed its charms. In Old Havana, Hemingway's name is very famous, but his famous quote ''Mi mojito en La Bodeguita, mi daiquiri en El Floridita'' (My mojito in La Bodeguita, my daiquiri in El Floridita”) is even more famous. Bar El Floridita is another place you cannot miss on your visit to Old Havana, where you can enjoy live music, a typical Cuban ambience with Latin rhythms and the wonderful Daiquiris, which still follows their traditional recipe.

The Best Plans to Make in Old Havana

If you like cultural activities, Old Havana also has a lot to offer. Music dominates in every corner and plaza. All over Old Havana you can enjoy an infinity of Latin rhythms, which gives the city a unique atmosphere and spirit.

For literature and antiques lovers, there is the Feria de Publicaciones y Curiosidades (Publications and Curiosities Fair), a charming place where, daily, samples of books, antique pieces and different items from other places and times are sold. This is an open-air market located on Baratillo Street that is sure to surprise you.

Fortaleza del Morro
© Wilder Méndez

Old Havana has a great number of activities to offer you. A tradition that you cannot miss if you are in the Cuban capital is the ceremony of the cañonazo. It began several centuries ago, when to protect the city from enemy attacks, the gates were closed at nightfall, announcing this with a cannon shot. The cannons they fire from are beautifully decorated and each have their own name. Every day at 21:00 this interesting tradition takes place from Morro Cabaña Park, on the other side of the Bay.

La Bodeguita del Medio, Old Havana
© Xbeta

Another thing you can't miss is going to the La Bodeguita del Medio, probably the best known restaurant in the area. Personalities from all walks of life have passed through there, leaving their signature on the walls. It is the ideal place to try the authentic Cuban mojito.

A space where a cocktail reigns, in this case the daiquiri, is at El Floridita. The Academia Norteamericana de Ciencias Gastronómicas (North American Academy of Gastronomic Sciences) has classified it as the best place to try this delicious cocktail. Its tables have been visited by illustrious figures as Ernest Hemingway.

Walking through the streets and squares of the historical center, such as the Plaza de la Catedral or Mercaderes Street, is the best way to discover this beautiful city and its incredible historical center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

If you want to enjoy the nightlife, the best thing to do is to go to Plaza Vieja and Obispo Street, where you will find the best spots.

Although, if you want to enjoy a unique experience, the best thing to do is to go when the Festival Internacional Habana Vieja: Ciudad en Movimiento (International Old Havana Festival: City in Movement) takes place at the beginning of April. It is a dance festival that aims to bring dance closer to the general public and to encourage people to participate in it. The most outstanding thing is that it is held in the streets of the city, so it is a unique experience.

The Best Accomodations in La Habana Vieja

In Old Havana one of the best options for accommodation, as in other areas of Cuba, are the casas particulares (private houses or accommodations). If you choose this experience you will be able to get to know first hand all the secrets that the city has to offer.

Of course, if you prefer to stay in a hotel there are also numerous options for you. Some as the Hotel Inglaterra, a beautiful hotel with a neoclassical façade and a colonial interior which has been declared a National Monument; the Hotel Plaza, a hotel from the beginning of the 20th century but which has been renovated to give it a touch of modernity without losing its characteristic charm; the Hotel Iberostar Grand Packard , a luxury hotel with an incredible panoramic swimming pool; or the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski, a five-star hotel in the heart of the city, originally the first shopping arcades in the city; The Hotel Ambos Mundos, a hotel with a hundred years of history in the heart of the city and where you can visit the room where Ernest Hemingway stayed; are some of the best you can find, The Hotel Santa Isabel de la Habana is a hotel located in an old palace that has a panoramic terrace; the Hotel Mercure Sevilla Havane, built in neo-Arabic style, is one of the most famous hotels in Havana; and the Iberostar Parque Central is a hotel with two buildings, one modern and one classic, connected to a beautiful gallery.

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What to see in Old Havana

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