Havana is the heart of Cuba. It is vibrant, vibrant with energy and colors. We will find here the world heritage of architecture, listen to the truest Latin music and see how the inhabitants of Cuba live. Let’s see the best Havana attractions!
Contents
1. La Habana Vieja – Old Havana
The most beautiful part of Havana. One of the most beautiful old towns in the world. A pearl on the world map of colonial architecture. Habana Vieja has been falling into disrepair over the years of Cuban isolation. It was only in the 1980s that a renovation plan was started and with the support of UNESCO, renovations of disintegrating buildings started. Each year, the scaffoldings change their location, and the renovated buildings enjoy the former splendour.
2. Malecón
Malecon in Havana is the most famous Cuban promenade. 8 kilometres on which social life takes place. Built in 1901 by the American army is a great place to look like your American dream overseas … At the Malecon, Cubans meet late in the evening for gossip, listening to music and watching the tourists walking.
3. La Habana Centro
Between the tourist Old Havana and the luxurious Vedado district, there is the centre of the life of the inhabitants of Havana or La Habana Centro. Shopping and residential district. Completely non-touristy, though we can find many Casas Particulares here. To get to know the life of the inhabitants of Havana, you have to walk around La Habana Centro. On the streets of Neptuno, San Rafael or Zanja we will find many situations worth watching or photography.
4. Square of Revolution
The 72 thousand square meters of the square are impressive. The most important point is the monument of the national hero Jose Marti (below description) and the portraits of Che Guevara and Camil Cienfuegos on the buildings of the ministries.
5. El Floridita
Ernest Hemingway was in a lively social life. Simply put, he was an alcoholic. His maxim was “to finish work until noon, and drink to the third.” In the famous El Floridita bar in Havana, the writer sipped daiquiri, which tourists from around the world are setting here today.
6. Bodeguita del Medio
“My mojito in La Bodeguita, My daiquiri in El Floridita, “said Ernest Hemingway. You can drink here the best mojito in Havana. In La Bodeguita del Medio where you can not only drink, but also delicious! <
7. Hotel Ambos Mundos
A beautiful hotel in an eclectic style, located at the intersection of Calle Obispo and Mercaderes. Built-in 1924, it became famous thanks to the well-known guest – Ernest Hemingway, who stayed here for several years. Until today, you can visit the writer’s room, which is open daily until 16:00 – room 511 on the 5th floor.
8. Plaza Vieja
Today, Old Square, in the far past “New Square”. Formerly, it was a place of execution, slave trade, and later a derivative of a market hall. Today Plaza Vieja is a tourist gem on the Old Havana tour. The fountain in the centre of the clock was fenced off, and water was drawn from it by its inhabitants. On the outlets, a brewery, cafes with great quality, as well as in shopping malls, planets and cameras (description below). On the curse of the eighteenth-century monastery – Convento de Santa Clara – to which were previously sent maids without a dowry. Are visiting the celebrations in which children and the courtyard lived.
9. Camera Oscura
The highest building on Plaza Vieja is Gómez Vila (35 meters high). It is worth going upstairs, even if the elevator does not work (and often does not work), not only to admire the panorama of Havana and a beautiful view of the Capitol but also to admire Havana from the perspective of Cámara Obscura. It is the only Cámara Oscura in South America and the Caribbean, so it is all the more worth it.
10. Capitol
It looks familiar, right? The construction of El Capitolio began in 1926 when Cuba was heavily influenced by the USA. The object was built on the basis of exactly the same design as the Capitol of Washington, although many experts believe that the Cuban version is more successful. Noteworthy is the 94-meter dome – the third largest in the world! The congress’s revolution was located in the Capitol, then the ministry, and after the refurbishment, which is coming to an end, the building will be the seat of government offices and ministries.
11. La Guarida
Concordia 418 is the address of the famous Havana restaurant La Guarida. The building “played” in the beautiful film “Fresa y chocolate” (Polish title: “Strawberries and chocolate”), which brought the restaurant great fame. The film itself is worth watching too! La Guarida is Paladar, a private Cuban restaurant. It was opened on July 14, 1996. It is famous for its good cuisine and refined decor. If you want to eat there, it’s better to book online in advance.
12. Fabrica del Arte
If you want to check how the nightlife of Havana looks like, then Calle 26, on the corner of the 11th in the Vedado district will be a very good address. It is located here Fabrica del Arte, which is a former factory converted into a music club, a pub and a gallery of modern art. During the day, we will sit here over coffee and watch the exhibitions, and at night we go crazy at parties till dawn.
13. Casa de la Musica
The iconic Cuban premises for the fiesta in the Havana style. Casa is on the corner of Ave. 35 and still 20. At the entrance, we may be offended by the number of ladies who are in a long queue, but fans of good music and salsa will surely be satisfied. It’s definitely worth checking out at least once while in Havana.
14. Hotel Nacional
Although the best years are over, it still awakes admiration. Hotel Nacional was opened in 1930. He proudly towers on the rock and is certainly one of the major attractions of the Vedado district. In 1946, the largest mafia families came down here, so this place can affect the imagination. It is worth going inside and going further to the garden to sit for a drink, look at the ocean and imagine old times. Times of magnificence in Cuba.
15. Parisien Cabaret
The Parisien cabaret has its performances at the Nacional Hotel, which gives it splendour. Legendary style, interesting performances, beautiful costumes and, of course, Cuban music at its best. You can also book a ticket for dinner or a drink. When the show ends, the dancers invite you to play together. Price around 35 CUC.
16. Tropicana Cabaret
Cabaret Tropicana is based on the corner of Calle 72 and Ave 43. It is considered the best Cuban cabaret, known all over the world, but the prices are also high, around 70-90 CUC per performance. In the beautiful scenery, we can watch the performance of about 200 dancers, which makes a huge impression. Despite the high prices, the cabaret is besieged, so it’s better to book.
17. Buena Vista Social Club
A music club created by over a dozen musicians from Havana. Although the most dynamic years of activity were in the 1930s and 1940s, it was the album recorded in 1999 that brought them global fame. Buena Vista Social Club is playing until today, however, it is no longer the composition of such great artists as Ibrahim Ferrer. The album received the Grammy Award and achieved artistic and commercial success. Another success was an Oscar nomination for a documentary that showed work on the second album of Cuban musicians. Whoever listens to “Chan Chan” will forever love original Latin music from the Buena Vista Social Club.
18. Journey with American cars
Cuba is a living museum of motorization. When the Americans fled to each other during the revolution, they abandoned their beautiful cars on the island. At the same time, the isolation of Cuba began and cars – like everything else – became a scarce commodity. Cubans have mastered the care of their 50 or 60-year-olds to perfection. The most beautiful specimens await tourists at the Capitol and invite for a ride. Such an hour drive from Old Havana, through Malecon and up to the Square of the Revolution and back through Havana Center is an unforgettable adventure!
19. El Morro
The most famous fortress of Cuba. The fortress was designed by Italian Giovanni Battista Antonelli in 1585 as part of the Spanish fortifications that stood before Havana against pirates. Today, the exhibit dedicated to lighthouses, as well as the museum, has been arranged here, close to the history of piracy.
20. Museo del Ron
Next to a small corner, we can find the museum which is dedicated to the national drink of Cuba – rum of course. The National Museum, unfortunately, belongs to the most crowded jobs.
21. Gran Teatro de la Habana
On the right side of the Capitol building is the building of the Grand Theater in Havana. Extravagant and magnificent. Opened in 1838, it has been under renovation for many years. In the middle will be a concert hall, cinema, conference rooms, as well as an art gallery. It’s worth coming inside thanks to the Auditorium of Garcia Lorca, the picture can hold up to 1.5 thousand. viewers.
22. Castillo de San Carlos de la Cabana
In the past, in this place, gunfire was heard every evening, and the nearby ships knew that the port was closed. This custom is continued and has become a tourist attraction. Every day at 21:00, soldiers play their roles in historical costumes and prepare a cannon for the decor, after which a big bang echoes across the English countryside.
23. Casa de la Obra Pia
One of the highest colonial times in Havana, or insight in Cuba, with a beautiful history. Casa attracts attention with vivid, yellow-blue colours and a beautiful portico. The name, literally “pious work”, refers to the time when the children’s home was here. Owner – Don Martín Calvo de la Puerta y Arrieta – before his death, he left 102 thousand pesos, each year to allocate them to five children. The building was built in 1648, and from 1983 it functions as a museum of Cuban culture. The exact address is: Calle Obra-Pía 158, at the corner of Mercaderes and San Ignacio.
24. Fusterlandia
José Rodriguez Fuster, called “the Caribbean Picasso”, was inspired by the work of Antonio Gaudí in Spain and he dreamed of such a colourful world in Cuba. The artist specializes in ceramics, painting and even graphic design. He was, however, famous for decorating neighbours’ houses with mosaics. He made his dreams at Jaimanitas, right next to Havana, wherein a colourful park named Fusterlandia was created. Fuster first began to “colour” his home, and then you can tell him that he was next to 80 neighbours.
25. Museum of the Revolution
A magnificent building with a Soviet tank in front of it – this is how the Museo de la Revolucion looks like, which used to be Batista’s dictator’s seat. Visits the possibility of trying mugs from the perspective of the revolution, with what the propaganda overtones of the exhibition are. The Museum of the Revolution is open every day from 10: 00-17: 00 (paid admission).
26. Habana 1791
A perfume museum and a shop where I can buy exotic fragrances. Habana 1791 Shop It tries to Havana, street Mercaderes 156 and is located in a beautiful 18th-century building. There is nothing to lose in this material. Some fragrance bottles are made by Cuban ceramists, while others are imported from India.
27. Home brewery on Plaza Vieja
Privid name to Cervecería Factoría Plaza Vieja de la Habana. This small brewery, which is made up of a beerhouse and is perfect for visiting Old Havana on hot days. It is open daily from 12 am to 12 am. Price of beer is up to 3 CUC. We can choose from light or dark.
28. Callejon de Hamel
Epicenter of Afro-Cuban culture in Havana to Callejon de Hamel. Colourful buildings by Salvador González Escalona stand out in the colourful streets of Havana. Every Sunday, around noon, they seem to perform and you can watch music and rhumb live. In turn, by way of the last family. Callejon de Hamel is located along the streets of Hospital and Aramburu, not far from Malecon.
29. Vedado
A district of diplomats, intelligence and Mafiosi. Formerly it was the most important district for Americans coming to Cuba, and today has many embassies, parks and hotels. The main street crossing is Vedado is Calle 23, also called “La Rampa”. The most important places of the Vedado district are the Hotel Nacional, the Revolution Square and the Christopher Columbus Cemetery.
30. Calle 23
Restaurants, cinemas, clubs, embassies, churches, banks, shops and hotels. At 23rd street in the Vedado district, let’s order everything. Through Cubans called “La Rampa” crosses the green Vedado from west to east.
31. Necropolis Cristobal Colon
The largest necropolis in Latin America is named in honour of Christopher Columbus. on 57 hectares we find here almost 2 million white tombstones. The construction of the cemetery began in 1860 according to the design of the Galician architect Calixto Arellano de Loira y Cardoso, who did not live to see the end of construction, so he was the first of the previous buried in the cemetery of his project. The cemetery was put into use in 1876. The dead were buried in various sectors, in the absence of social values.
32. Paseo del Prado
Walking around Havana can not bypass the Prado. It is also the border between Old Havana and the centre. After reading this interesting offer, learn more about the future. The Prado boulevard is studded with a marble cube, under the canopy you can take a rest on wooden benches. On the Prado, during the day of life, it is full of life. Children go to physical education classes, artists paint pictures, beaters talk with tourists, and musicians make the place more pleasant. The Prado was used in 1772 by the French architect Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier.
33. Chinatown
Barrio Chino, a Chinese district, is not one of the most beautiful Havana, but it is a curiosity in the Latin city. Today, one of the poorest and hardened places in Havana. We will know here Chinese pubs, symbols of Chinese culture and graphics of Chinese communities. Is today Kuba bringing all the equipment from the past.
34. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
The Museum of Fine Arts in Harod boasts one of the highest levels in all of South America and the Caribbean. Not only the exhibitions but also the building itself, golden balustrades, bas-reliefs, etc. make an impression. If we want to take a break from the hot moment, the Museum of Fine Arts is a good choice.
35. Hotel Inglaterra
To one of the most beautiful and glamorous positions at Parque Central. It is also the newest hotel, although in recent years more and more of this class of hotels have been put into use in Havana. Hotel Inglaterra was opened in 1875. During the Spanish-Cuban War, for example, Winston Churchill would stay here and others would be recommended.
36. Coppelia
Coppelia is a famous network of ice-cream shops for Cuba. The most popular Havana, get ready in Vedado – on streets 23 and 21 and K and L. The building dates from 1966 and I remember the times when Coppelia served 25 flavours. They are one, in gusts to two. The building is reminiscent of the UFA and can accommodate up to 1000 guests. I must admit that Fidel Castro had momentum. The name comes from the favourite ballet by Fidel’s secretary – Celia Sánchez.
37. Universidad de la Habana
The University of Havana is the oldest university in Cuba and one of the first in the Americas! The facility was opened in 1829. The beginning is in the area of Old Havana, but there are Vedado signs. A characteristic building with stairs and columns is decorated for seventy years, which represent seven departments. It was here that Fidel Castro studied the law, and when Fulgencio Batista came to power, the area around was anti-government protests.
38. Miramar and Maqueta de la Habana
The district of Havana, which is definitely less touristy, is gaining more and more light every year. One of the main features is the Havana Model, which represents the city on a 1: 1000 scale with the tiniest detail. Open from Mon-Fri in hours 9: 30-17: 30 (paid entrance).
39. La Zorra y el Cuervo
The nightclub in the Vedado district (Calle 23, cooperation N and O), which is a very good place to listen to jazz in Cuba, and certainly in all of Havana.
40. Bacardi building
Between Call San Juan de Dios and Calle Emperdaro, the Edificio Bacardi Study is an Art Deco building. At the top of the image of the bat, which also has the Bacardi logo. This is Bermuda, i.e. Bacardi also emigrated from the island, it is still this brand associated with Cuba. The building was handed over in 1929, and after the government’s revolution, it was allocated to office space. Edificio Bacardi still impresses with its architecture.
41. Cathedral de San Cristobal
In this cathedral, the remains of Christopher Columbus rested for centuries. Later, they were transferred to Seville. The cathedral began to be built in 1748 and completed in 1767, and from 1788 was elevated to the rank of the cathedral. For architecture enthusiasts, certainly from the outside. From the top of the work, you can choose the panorama of Havana.
42. Tren de Hershey
45 kilometres, 47 stations and 4 hours of travel. More information about the train that she has to offer Cuba built an American company from Pennsylvania – Hershey Corporation – still rides. From 1926, the line deals with the transport and transhipment of employees in Hershey. Today with the original American standard wagons only three.
43. Casa del Tabaco
At Calle Mercaderes, let’s have a small but very interesting tobacco museum. A spectacular exhibit about cigars on the island – Fidel Castro himself.
44. Hotel Habana Libre
In front of the hotel, it was called Habana Hilton and belonged to the famous network. At the opening, on March 25, 1958, the boss himself, millionaire Conrad Hilton and president Batista were present. After the occupation of Havana by Fidel Castro, the hotel became a perfect room, Fidel lived in room 2324. Since 1960, the hotel is called Habana Libre (free Havana).
45. Hotel Capri
In 1955, signed by Mr Batista, it is assumed that it has a fixed status, received special tax credits, loans and a gambling license. Hotel Capri was the first one that was built up with this new product. Opened in 1957, he hosted the Hollywood stars, and the flat rate was quickly closed. It has been operating again since 2014.
46. Statue of Jose Marti on the Square of the Revolution
109 The Tower and the 18-meter statue of Jose Marti on the Square of the Revolution makes an impression. The additional tower is surrounded by six columns. The construction and the Square of the Revolution and this monument began in 1939, but the work lasted until 1958. To sum up, but with windy effects, it can be different.
47. Pharmacy Johnson
Strolling around Old Havana must necessarily look into the old pharmacy Apteki Johnson, which looks like normal still thrives today. The first “Gran Farmacia Johnson” was founded in 1886, and the current headquarters is about 1914. In 2005, after the end of the post-harvest period in 2013.
48. El Dandy
A cult café in Havana, Plaza Cristo. You can drink strong coffee, a fresh cocktail and eat well. El Dandy is distinguished by an eclectic and artistic décor. It’s about a place where our eye will enjoy the beautiful picture.
49. La Vigia
Finca Vigía, a summer residence of Hemingway located near Havana, with a beautiful view of the capital. Initially, the writer rented the property, through 10 monuments for 12,500 dollars. The writing conditions were great. Farm situation of 15 acres, there is a beautiful garden, swimming pool and even a tower for 11 cats that have an owner. Can not you enter the house, through the window, and show all original Hemingway souvenirs.
50. Cojimar
Cojimar. A small fishing village to the east of Havana. The local fisherman was inspired by Hemingway to write the story “Old Man and the Sea”, for which in 1953 he received the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize in 1954