THE BEST ACTIVITIES IN HAVANA, CUBA

To me, there’s nothing better than strolling the streets of an old city. The architecture in Old Havana is absolutely stunning and combining it with the gorgeous colors of the buildings, the great old cars, and the fun and lively people, you’ll find yourself entertained even with nothing on your itinerary.

The Cuban Art Factory, located about 15 minutes west of Old Havana by car, is an art gallery turned club at night and was my favorite place to go out in Havana. The art exhibits remain open at night, but the music is turned up and dancing ensues in many of the gallery rooms. There’s also an open area with food for sale and, of course, mojitos galore.

One thing you can’t miss when traveling to Cuba is learning about and getting immersed in the history of the country. Museo de la Revolución (Museum of the Revolution) in Old Havana gives great insight into the political history of the country and is a vital stop on your tour of the city.

One of my favorite things about Havana is that there are mojitos around pretty much every corner, and better yet, they only cost about $2 USD. You can’t go wrong with grabbing a mojito almost anywhere in Old Havana, but the best-known places are El Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio. Either one is a great option during your stroll through the old city.

On the south side of Old Havana is an artisans market full of great souvenirs and art. If you’re someone like me who needs a little something to remember each of your trips, head to this market to explore the rows and rows of tchotchkes available for purchase.

For only $50 USD you can rent a 1950s convertible and drive around Havana for about an hour! While it might feel silly to rent a car just to drive around, the driver will also take you to a lot of the popular sites in Havana throughout your journey. And of course, the photo ops are fantastic.

La Zorra y el Cuervo is one of the premier jazz clubs in Havana with shows running periodically throughout the night. This is the perfect place to start your evening and the musicians are entrancing.

My favorite souvenir from our trip to Cuba was my custom-made perfume from La Perfumeria Habana 1791. This perfumery in Old Havana allows you to mix your very own custom perfume, and the bottle it comes in will be sitting on your counter for years to come.

While sitting and enjoying a cup of coffee in La Plaza Vieja, my friend and I were approached by a local artist who had drawn this picture of us. This is one of my favorite takeaways from our time in Havana, and sitting in the old European-esque plaza in the sunshine and people watching was a perfect way to relax in the afternoon.

El Malecon is a 5-mile long sea wall that wraps around part of Old Havana. Taking a stroll down here with a mojito in hand makes for a great afternoon activity.