6 Historic Walking Areas in Havana That You Shouldn't Miss

November 2, 2021 Diedre Savory

A city trapped in time, Havana captures the imagination like no other. Faded glamour meets careful colonial-era reconstruction with a backdrop of irresistible color. Walk El Malecón, the walkway bordering the ocean; visit Old Havana and the Catedral de San Cristóbal; and listen for salsa music, open-air bazaars and parties that last all night.
Restaurants in Havana

1. Las Mansiones de Miramar

Havana Cuba
Excellent
45%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 38 reviews

Las Mansiones de Miramar

This upscale neighborhood was once the residence of American millionaires.

2. Old Havana

Havana Cuba
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20,586 reviews

Old Havana

Bohemian, rhythmically Latin, certainly picturesque and, above all, charming.

Reviewed By Gantt-Tammy - Havana, Caribbean

La Habana is a great City to visit, old cars, great walks, good food and warm people, lots of live music, rum and cigars, history, art and plazas...be sure to hit Plaza de Revolution... The city has it all. The old City take a good day get through ...Sloppy Joe's, Floridita Street, and in modern Havana be sure to see Hotel Nacional and Tropicana. The Capitolo building is a great landmark to start from. If you can go inside, there is one of the largest diamonds in the world encased in the floor.

3. El Malecon

Centro Habana, Havana Cuba 005352823586 http://www.malecondelahabana.cl
Excellent
51%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12,012 reviews

El Malecon

Reviewed By mefistome - Toronto, Canada

Havana’s Malecon (levee for its English translation), or Avenida de Maceo for its Official name, is a broad esplanade - roadway and seawall which stretches for more than 10 klms along the city coast; from the mouth of Havana Harbor in Old Havana neighborhood and ending where the sea and the Almendares river meet. The Malecon is the favored meeting place for all sorts of people, philosophers, poets, traveling minstrels, fishers, musicians and most of all tourists. The place comes alive at sunset, when the cool breeze from the ocean soothes the air and the last rays of the sun setting far out at sea, its light giving the area a serene, peaceful and almost ethereal quality. On a constant fight with the corrosive effects of the salty water of the ocean, its magnificent buildings battled the passage of time and most lost the fight; some are now facing decrepitude and irreparable damage or demolition; despite the efforts of the City Historian’s Office to stop the damage and restore whatever is recoverable. The Malecón is not particularly hospitable and welcoming when the breeze turns to strong wind and massive waves crash thunderously over the sea wall. The road is then closed to cars while the storm lasts, and you can walk right down the middle of the empty thoroughfare and get a cold, salty shower as you can see in the picture of the lady that stood there waiting for a second splash! A must to stroll by its wide sea-wall at the end of the day and enjoy the “best free show in Havana”, If you are a walker a good challenge would be take a stroll all the way from the Avenida 23rd to the Cruise Ships Sierra Maestra Embarcadero, Great exercise and a show 8 klms. Long! El Malecón Habanero cuyo nombre oficial es Avenida de Maceo, es una explanada, avenida y también un muro de contención del mar; se extiende por mas de 10 klms., a lo largo de la costa desde la entrada a la bahía de la Habana hasta la desembocadura del rio Almendares en el mar. El Malecón es el lugar de reunión preferido, “ el punto de reunión obligado” para turistas, filósofos, músicos callejeros, vendedores ambulantes y pescadores de todas las edades. El murallón se despierta a la caída del sol, aunque no esta totalmente dormido durante el día; y es mas acogedor cuando al caer la tarde la brisa del mar refresca el aire y los últimos rayos del sol perdiéndose en el horizonte, su luz decreciendo paulatinamente envuelve todo en una serena, pacífica y casi etérea realidad. En lucha constante contra el corrosivo efecto del salitre, los magníficos edificios que lo adornan han batallado por anos por mantenerse sólidos, pero el pasaje del tiempo ha sido arrollador, y muchos han perdido la batalla, ahora están totalmente dilapidados o destinados a demolición; a pesar de los esfuerzos de la Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad por recuperarlos. El Malecón tiene también su contraparte, y no es tan acogedor cuando la brisa se torna viento y gigantescas olas saltan por encima de la muralla; en ocasiones produciendo inundaciones hasta dos cuadras por las partes bajas de la ciudad. Las fotos que aquí aparecen fueron tomadas el 22 de diciembre/2018 cuando la tormenta duro toda la noche del 21 y la mayor parte del 22/diciembre. Los danos causados fueron cuantiosos; a la mañana era difícil transitar por la zona pues las calles eran prácticamente un lodazal. Pero a pesar de su temperamento el Malecón tiene su carácter único y es amado por los Habaneros y los turistas que no desechan la oportunidad de visitarlo. Para quienes caminar es un ejercicio, les sugiero una caminata desde la Ave. 23, Hotel Nacional hasta el Desembarcadero Sierra Maestra – de Cruceros, 8 klms. gran ejercicio y el espectáculo es gratis

4. Lamparilla Street

Havana Cuba
Excellent
17%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
42%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 12 reviews

Lamparilla Street

A run-down Havana street not without its charms.

5. Calle Tacon

Havana Cuba
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

6. Follow a historian through Havana

Calle Tacon, Havana Cuba

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.