Stand on the Prado in the late afternoon and you will see Havana at street level: domino players on doorsteps, schoolchildren in uniform, and the sea air pushing up from El Malecón a few blocks away. Old Havana's restored facades and crumbling ones sit side by side, and the city rewards walking rather than rushing.
Havana suits travellers who are comfortable with a city that is beautiful and worn at the same time, and who want history, music and architecture within a few connected neighbourhoods. This guide covers the sights and experiences named in the source material, from Old Havana and the Prado to Vedado, the harbour fortresses and the eastern beaches.
Top things to do in Havana
1. Walk along the Malecón
El Malecón is Havana's waterfront sea wall, running along the coastline with views of the city. It is the simplest way to spend an afternoon or evening here, and on weekends it is where locals come to party.
Bring a bottle and join in, as the source suggests. Combine the walk with the Prado, which meets the waterfront area, and with Vedado further west.
2. Walk down the Paseo del Prado
The Prado is a lively pedestrian zone full of locals spending their free time, and an evening walk here is a good way to take in the street life and the hum of the many cafes and restaurants along it.
Note that the street is not illuminated at night, so plan accordingly. It pairs naturally with a Malecón walk, since both are strolls rather than single stops.
3. Explore Old Havana
La Habana Vieja is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and strolling its streets and enjoying the buildings is worthwhile for any visitor. Parts of the Old Town are quite dilapidated with crumbling buildings, while many others have been restored to their former glory.
Give it time rather than treating it as a single sight. Several of the places below, including Havana Cathedral and Plaza de Armas, sit within it.
4. Museum of the Revolution
Housed in the former presidential palace, this museum offers a history tour from pre-Columbian times to the revolution in 1959 and on to present-day socialist Cuba. There is more than a hint of propaganda among the exhibitions.
It is open 09:00-17:00, with admission around US$6 and camera use around US$2 extra. Old cars for hire wait outside, so you can combine a visit with a ride around the city.
5. National Capitol Building
Completed in 1929, this neoclassical building resembles the U.S. Capitol. It housed the Cuban Congress prior to the revolution and is now the National Assembly.
It sits on Paseo de Martí, and the Partagás Cigar factory is behind the Capitol Building, making the two easy to pair in one outing.
6. Partagás Cigar factory
A guided visit to the original Partagás factory gives a wealth of information about the production and cultivation of tobacco and cigars. It is also the place for buying authentic Cuban cigars, more expensive than on the street but with fantastic quality.
The guided tour costs the equivalent of US$10 in pesos, and photography is not allowed. It is on Calle Industria, behind the Capitol Building.
7. Havana Club Rum Museum
Go on a guided tour of Havana Club, one of Cuba's most famous rums. Most of the exhibits are subtitled in English and are fairly self-explanatory.
It is on Avenida del Puerto, which puts it in reach of the Old Havana sights on the same day.
8. Plaza de la Revolución
This huge square is dominated by a statue and monument of Jose Marti and the iconic image of Che Guevara adorning the Ministry of the Interior.
Arrive either early or late, as it is often swamped by tourists and gets very hot during the day. The National Theater is close to the Memorial a José Martí at the square.
9. The Royal Force Castle
This is the oldest bastioned fortress in the New World, completed in 1577. It now houses Cuba's premier maritime museum, with exhibits covering Cuba's maritime past from pre-Columbian days through to the 18th century, including the Royal Shipyard of Havana and a huge model of Santisima Trinidad.
The fort is also a great location for viewing the harbour and city skyline. It stands at Plaza de Armas, so pair the two.
10. Plaza de Armas
Spacious and elegant, the square is surrounded by baroque constructions that give it an authentic colonial milieu. It is enlivened by vendors of antiques and classical books on Latin American and world literature.
Among the attractions around the square is the capok tree under which the first mass for the city's founding was officiated in 1519. The Royal Force Castle is here too.
11. Havana Cathedral
Built in the 18th century and redesigned in the 1940s, this church is a prime example of Baroque architecture in Cuba and houses the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Cuba.
It is in Old Havana, so it fits into a walking day alongside Plaza de Armas and the Cámara Oscura.
12. Cámara Oscura
From the large Cámara Oscura in the old town you get extraordinary 360° views of the city.
It is a short, contained stop, best slotted into an Old Havana walk rather than treated as a half-day in itself.
13. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
This museum has two parts, international and Cuban art. In the part of Arte Cubano you can spend hours admiring the works of the last centuries exhibited on three floors.
Admission is around US$8. It regularly has live music events that often cost only 250 CUP, so check their Facebook page for announcements.
14. Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña
This well-restored 18th-century fort holds two one-room exhibitions about arms and Che Guevara. Every evening there is a cannon ceremony where they fire over the Havana harbour.
To get there, take any bus that crosses the tunnel, such as from the Parque de la Fraternidad, and get off right after it, then walk about 600 m to the entrance. On your way you can also stop at the smaller Castillo de los Tres Santos Reyes Magnis del Morro next to the tunnel.
15. Fabrica de Arte Cubano
An art gallery and club, La Fábrica de Arte or FAC was established inside a former cooking oil factory and has since gained notoriety as one of Havana's premier nightclubs and art galas.
It is an evening stop rather than a daytime one, and works well as the end of a day that began in Old Havana.
16. Colon Cemetery
Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón is one of the great historical cemeteries of the world, important in both historical and architectural terms.
It is not possible to see much from behind the fence, so go in rather than viewing it from outside. Entry is around US$5 for foreigners.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start in Old Havana, walking its streets before the heat builds. Visit Havana Cathedral, then Plaza de Armas with the Royal Force Castle and its maritime museum, and take in the 360° views from the Cámara Oscura.
Afternoon: Move on to the Museum of the Revolution, then walk to the National Capitol Building and the Partagás Cigar factory behind it. Finish the afternoon with the guided tour at the Havana Club Rum Museum on Avenida del Puerto.
Evening: Walk down the Paseo del Prado as the street life picks up, then continue along El Malecón. If you want music and art later, end at Fabrica de Arte Cubano.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Plaza de la Revolución?
Arrive either early or late. The square is often swamped by tourists and gets very hot during the day.
Can I take photographs at the Partagás Cigar factory?
No. Photography is not allowed on the guided tour, which costs the equivalent of US$10 in pesos.
Is the Prado lit at night?
No. The street is not illuminated at night, so plan your evening walk with that in mind.
How do I get to Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña?
Take any bus that crosses the tunnel, for example from the Parque de la Fraternidad, and get off right after it, then walk about 600 m to the entrance. You can also stop at the smaller Castillo de los Tres Santos Reyes Magnis del Morro next to the tunnel on the way.
Pick the sights that match your pace, string them together along the Malecón and the Prado, and start planning your days in Havana.