Location: Havana
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The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Havana, Ciudad de la Habana Province
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. Museo Hemingway Finca Vigia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,977 reviews
Once the Finca Vigia, this ghost-white Spanish-colonial home was where Papa penned some of his greatest novels.
Reviewed By VangroovyFoodie - Vancouver, Canada
Hemingway's Home is a 20 minute drive outside of Central Havana. The house sits on a hill and overlooks Havana. We didn't have a guide but read that others did and thought it was worthwhile. Unfortunately, we were not offered that option when we arrived. Even though we could not enter the house, you could really get a sense of how Hemingway and his family lived through the doorways and windows. You can see many rooms: living room, closet, bathroom, office, bedrooms, and dining room. Tip: While at the main entrance, ask the person inside the house to take photos. That is the only way you will see Hemingway's bedroom and bathroom, which is at the right side of the house and visitors do not have access to it. Make sure to give the person a couple of dollars. Definitely worth the money. The three-story tower beside the house is where Hemingway wrote his famous novels. Again, give the person your camera and they will take photos of his Corona typewriter plus the items on his desk. His boat, "Pilar", the pet cemetery, the pool (and shower room), the photos throughout, and the grounds complete Hemingway's beautiful Finca Vigía. Tips: 1. I suggest getting there when they open at 10:00 AM so you can miss many of the tour buses. 2. Determine the price for the roundtrip taxi ride. We paid 50 CUC (we felt it was reasonable for 2 hours of the driver's time roundtrip and because the taxi was a 1950s Chevy :). Many drivers were waiting for their customers in the parking lot and could enjoy a coffee or buy some snacks from locals while they waited. There is also a restroom there. Entrance fee is 5 CUC per person. Bathroom at the bottom of the tower (leave a tip). Souvenirs at the entrance and inside the small store by the parking lot. Map of Havana was 3 CUC (hard to find in general so happy to get it.) Please note, they do NOT take credit cards but you may pay with CUC or CUP.
2. Old Havana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20,586 reviews
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. Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,564 reviews
An enormous fortress that fires its cannon every night.
Reviewed By Superkatt - Sweden, null
San Carlos de la Cabana Fortaleza de la Cabana is a historical park with a number of museums, on the other side of Habana harbour. The tunnel for car-traffic under the harbour is connecting both sides. Every day at 9 PM there is a gun salut, a huge touristic attractyion called "El Cañonazo de las 9”. During the colonial times this was a signal for closure of harbour for the night, and tradition is kept since. Large tourist hotels have a charterbuses going to the Fortaleza especially for this event around 8 o´clock and back around 9,45. There are lots of souvenir shops and kiosks on the site, as well as some food service. Interesting, beautiful historic performance and pleasant experience.
4. Plaza de la Catedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,699 reviews
Reviewed By JanetC2029 - Stockport, United Kingdom
Located in the old part of the city the fabulous architecture of the catedral at one side of a lovely square with restaurants, cafes and museums
5. Castillo de la Real Fuerza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 736 reviews
Reviewed By Superkatt - Sweden, null
Castillo de la Real Fuerza is a fortress with bastions in Havana, which houses now a Maritime museum with interesting historic exposition. The symbol of Havana, La Giraldilla, sat originally on the top of watchtower at Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Original statue is now placed in the museum, and the weathervane on the roof now is a replica. The walk in the fortress gives an opportunity to reach a nice wiewpoint with unobstructed views of harbour and city.
6. Plaza de Armas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,898 reviews
Reviewed By jackie_rogers59 - Tewkesbury, United Kingdom
This square is surrounded by some of the city’s most important historic buildings, spanning architecture from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Stand in the centre of the square, by the tree-shaded monument of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, Cuban patriot, initiator of the Ten Years War against Spanish colonial rule in 1868 and ‘Father of the Nation’. To your east is El Templete, a 19th-century, Greek-style Neoclassical temple marking the legendary spot where Havana was founded in 1519; and the magnificent 18th-century Casa del Conde de Santovenia, a palatial mansion renovated in 1998 and now serving as the elegantly decorated Hotel Santa Isabel. From here you can see El Morro Castle on the other side of the harbour
7. San Francisco de Asis Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,161 reviews
Reviewed By Des1963 - Johannesburg, South Africa
Plaza de San Francisco dates from 1575. From the start it was a commercial center, and during the colonial period a fair took place here every October with coin and card games, lotteries and cock fights. It is one of the first three built in the 16th century. It takes its name from the Franciscan convent built there. This Colonial square houses some of the most interesting places in Old Havana, such as San Francisco de Asís Convent, and nowadays houses the Religious Art Museum; Rum Museum, or Coche Miambí, a train coach built in the US in 1990 and transported to Cuba in 1992.
8. El Morro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,681 reviews
Reviewed By yoed2020 - Cuba, Caribbean
well, well this is my third visit to havana city and I am happy to say that I have had a wonderful time in this beautifull place and most of this great experience is due to havanatours.nl travel agency who provided us with an excellent service during our stay there; humble, smiling and profesional staff always happy to scort us on our trips through the city either on a bike, on foot or in amazing road trips in the most efficient and fancy american old fashion cars I have ever seen, visiting places with a lot of history and dipping into the real Cuban culture all over the city. I just have to say thanks a lot for the amazing time you gave us and that I hope once I come back you will be there still to show us more from this beautiful country.
9. Christopher Columbus Cemetery (Cemetario de Colon)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,069 reviews
Reviewed By WideWorldJourneys - Quebec City, Canada
My partner and I were fortunate enough that chose a day to visit when the weather was hot but not blistering. I would recommend to go either early in the morning/day or at time where the temperatures are not too high due to the fact there are not many shaded areas. We spent most of the day walking around this large a 136-acre cemetery, which really feels like an open-air museum that showcases Cuban history and architecture. We purchased a map at the cemetery entrance, which was at very little cost and really helped in finding our way around. We returned the map afterwards. I'm not sure if that was the policy but we figured we didn't need a souvenir and it would save on costs for them. From what I've heard there are guides present that you can request to give you a guided tour, if that's something you prefer. What I enjoyed most was the ambiance. Though I stood in Latin America's largest graveyard and the world's second largest, there was nothing eerie or somber about it. You can randomly choose to walk in any direction and find yourself among crypts, mausoleums, chapels vaults, and sculptures - over 500 mausoleums and 56 thousand tombs to be exact! The one sculpture that really caught my attention was the Firefighters Monument. with commemorates the 25 firefighters who lost their lives during a fire in 1890. The Colón Cemetery, named in honor of Christopher Columbus, was designed by Spanish architect Calixto de Loira during the 1870's. He is also the first person to be interred here, sadly before he could finish the project. Among the other restin here: famous artists, politicians, revolutionaries, musicians. You will not be disappointed if you allow some time to casually stroll around and experience this resting place of many important Cubans. I would visit it again in the future without a doubt! Upon leaving I commented to my partner how it would be difficult for another cemetery to impress me as much as this one. The bar was high. I have not yet visited many around the world yet but must say that anyone visiting Havana MUST take the time to visit this important historical and cultural 'landmark'. Though I am a travel professional I have no association with this location. What I've shared here is my personal observations and opinions.
10. Paseo del Prado
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,100 reviews
A popular street in Havana known for music and nightlife.
Reviewed By Bolskyontheroad - Brooklyn, United States
Walking the Prado, a marble pedestrian boulevard from the Malecon to Central Park, is a Saturday night activity for Cubans since my mom was a kid and I was very happy to accompany her for a leisurely stroll. It's a must do activity in the evening after dinner, especially if you want to mingle with the locals when they aren't working. You will be together with many Cubans out for the evening, enjoying the pleasant sea breeze and the beat of the music from every open window. There are marble sculptures and benches so you can sit and admire as everyone walks by with a smile. There are young people, families and police everywhere and the boulevard is well lit at night.
