THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HAVANA CUBA
Traveling to Cuba? Even if you’re planning a relaxing beach getaway to the island, you’ll likely fly in and out of Havana, and the city is worth spending at least a few days in. Check out this guide to all of the ins and outs of Havana so you can make the most of your time there.
Looking for more inspiration to book your trip? Check out the guides below:
MEALS
I’m a biiiiig breakfast girl. I can’t seem to effectively start my day without a cup of coffee and some breakfast that isn’t too astonishing to my stomach early in the morning. Therefore, I always look for a great breakfast place wherever I go – I know this might not be the most authentic experience, but it helps me start my day strong. If you’re like me, then start your day at El Café on Amargura. Walking there will give you a taste of Old Town and get you started for your daily adventure.
DRINKS
One mojito, two mojito, three mojito, floor! The best way to go about a walking tour of Havana is with a takeout mojito in hand, and El Floridita is a great place to get one. El Floridita was once frequented by Ernest Hemingway, and now you’ll see busloads of tourists embarking outside to get their own taste of the famous mojitos. Many other places in the city don’t sell a frozen mojito, so I opted for it here to spice things up.
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.
It’s that time again! Now that you’ve seen a lot of Habana Vieja, it’s time for another mojito. La Bodeguita del Medio is the best place to get one, as you can see below, they make these mojitos in bulk and you can stand on the street and drink them while talking to all of the locals who will try to swindle you for cash.
WALKING TOUR
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.
We’ll now spend some time walking east down Calle Obispo, which is a great walking street in the center of Habana Vieja (Old Havana). Below, you’ll see a stilts parade that we saw on the street, so just enjoy your time and check out the sites along the way.
Parque Central is the perfect starting point for any walking tour of Havana. As the name suggests, this is a central point in Havana and where you’ll see large government-owned hotels and 1950s convertibles lining the square. You may also get bombarded by large hoards of tourists or taxi drivers hoping to show you around, but I promise that Havana is tiny enough that a walking tour will do just fine. Be wary of purchasing from any of the government-owned hotels on the square, as spending money at some of them is off-limits to U.S. tourists.
Check out the Plaza de la Catedral to see and/or enter La Catedral de la Virgen María de la Concepción Inmaculada de La Habana (that was a mouthful). This baroque and asymmetrical façade (check out the two different sized bell towers) is also a wonderful place to see a birds-eye view of the city. You can pay to enter one of the bell towers for a small fee and see a new view of Havana.
Plaza Vieja, the center of Habana Vieja, is the focal point of the old city and is akin to many plazas you’ll find across Europe. You can head to Café el Escorial in the southeast of Plaza Vieja for a nice afternoon coffee and people-watching to close out your evening.
SHOPS
Along Calle Obispo is Libreria Venecia; a bookstore in Old Town Havana and a great place to stop by to get your hands on some old books, posters, and other antique works that can’t be found anywhere else in Cuba. Also, understanding that freedom of speech has widely been banned in Cuba, it’s interesting to enter a bookshop selling works that had once been banned in that nation.
Next, head across town to hit Perfumería Habana 1791, a gorgeous perfume-making shop in the heart of Old Town. You can work with them to combine any scents you want into stunning glass bottles that look to be as old as the Chevy convertibles on the streets.
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.
ACTIVITIES
One of the best parts of going to Cuba was getting to learn about, and witness, the history firsthand. As such, you have to be sure to check out Museo de la Revolución to learn more about Cuba’s history and the impact of communism on the nation today. The entry fee is limited and if you’re lucky like we were, you might stumble upon a live concert in the museum while you’re there.
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.
LET’S CHAT
FOLLOW ALONG
ABOUT ME
Welcome! I’m Natasha, a 27-year-old living in Manhattan and constantly itching to get out. I created Exploring Elsewhere to inspire those like me, 20-something women with shallow pockets and too few vacation days, to take adventurous solo trips in far-off lands.