The highlights of Havana: what you shouldn’t miss

Havana, or La Habana in Spanish, is the capital of Cuba and a mandatory stop of any visit to this highly sought-after Caribbean island whose popularity has been growing year after year. With virtually everyone starting or ending their trips here, Havana serves as a perfect introduction to Cuba and its people and history.

Havana is a big city, full of color, appealing architecture, and many enjoyable sights. With different and distinct areas to explore, we’re going to focus on the main and most interesting ones, namely the UNESCO World Heritage Old Havana or Habana Vieja, Centro Habana, and Vedado. These comprise most of the highlights of Havana you shouldn’t miss.

If you’re curious about how the rest of Cuba looks like, make sure you read our other articles that cover many different places around the country such as Trinidad, Viñales, Península de Zapata, among others.

Museo de la Revolución

Museo de la Revolución

Museo de la Revolución, or Museum of the Revolution, is one of the main museums in Havana and one certainly worth visiting, even if just to admire its beautiful building, the former Presidential Palace. Recent restoration works managed to bring back most of the building’s former glory.

The museum houses collections related to the colonial independence and mainly the 1959 Cuban revolution.

Adjacent to the museum and accessible through it, the Granma memorial includes the yacht that brought Fidel Castro back to Cuba plus other military equipment.

The streets of Havana Vieja

The streets of Havana

The best part about walking the streets of Habana Vieja is getting a glimpse of the daily lives of the Habaneros, seeing the fading pastel-colored buildings, the local shops, and discovering the many historical sights. There’s always something new around the corner, whether it’s a nice street vendor or a line up of classic cars.

The streets of Havana are very picturesque.

Street vendor

Colorful houses

Paseo del Prado

Paseo del Prado

Paseo del Prado is the prime boulevard in Havana. Lined by trees and colorful buildings, this street is very popular for a nice and slow stroll between El Capitolio and Parque Central to the Malecón. It feels like a very elegant street.

Parque Central

Parque Central

Parque central, right next door to El Capitolio, is a square that is home to some of the best and most imposing buildings in Havana. Grand Teatro de La Habana and a couple of historical hotels are an example of the incredible buildings that are located here.

Street art

Street Art in Havana

One of the most interesting and perhaps least expected things about Havana is the street art. As you wander the streets, you’ll run into interesting murals and graffiti that give you an idea about the Cuban culture. Keep an eye out for the propaganda ones.

Building Art

Squares

Plaza Vieja

Havana has many squares in the old part of town that are worth a visit and part of any tourist itinerary. Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Catedral are the three main ones you can’t miss. If you see the word plaza, you’re in the right direction.

Historical churches

Plaza de la Catedral

Iglesia San Francisco

Havana hosts some impressive religious buildings. Two of the main ones are the 18th century La Catedral (short for La Catedral de la Virgen María de la Concepción Inmaculada de La Habana) and 16th century Basilica Menor de San Francisco de Asis. Many other smaller ones are also interesting to visit.

Old cars

Vintage wedding car

One of the most recognizable things about Havana and Cuba is its classic old cars. They’re pretty much everywhere and you can ride them (for a tourist price), hop on one that acts as a taxi for the locals, or simply observe them. They certainly are photogenic.

Looking for driving tips? Here’s all about driving in Cuba.

El Capitolio

El Capitolio

El Capitolio (the Capitol) is Havana’s best-known building and a true symbol of the city. It’s an impressive building that used to be the seat of the government but later became the home of the Cuban Academy of Science after the revolution.

When we visited it was undergoing extensive renovation works and thus closed to the public.

The kids

Kids playing

Kids seem to be everywhere in Havana and whether heading to school or playing on the streets, you’ll see them going by themselves, which attests to the safety of the city. You may even join them for a street football game!

Malecón

Malecón

Malecón is the seafront walled promenade between Havana Vieja and Vedado that is known to be one of the favorite places amongst the locals and the perfect place for a late afternoon stroll. Colorful buildings line up the street and you’ll find plenty of ways to spend your time here.

Focsa building

Havana skyline

This skyscraper built in the 50’s reaches almost 130 m high and offers amazing views in all directions across Havana from its bar and restaurant at the top. From here you’ll be able to see most of the highlights of Havana from a different perspective. Also, it’s very easy to get to as it’s only minutes away from the famous Hotel Nacional.

Here are a couple more pictures to prove it.

View from the top of Focsa building

The rooftops of Havana

Plaza de la Revolución

Plaza de la Revolución

Plaza de la Revolución or Revolution Square has been the center of all major gatherings in Havana since the revolution. Fidel Castro spoke here numerous times in front of thousands of people and even the Pope celebrated a mass here.

Its main feature is Memorial José Martí, a memorial in honor of the Cuban national hero. Many government buildings are located around the Plaza and have important Cuban figures depicted on their facades, for example, Che Guevara.

Che Guevara

Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón

Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón

Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón is a historical Cuban cemetery and one of the biggest in the world. It was named after Christopher Columbus and what makes this cemetery worth a visit are the diverse sculptures and monuments that adorn its countless tombs.

Vedado

Riviera

A walk through Vedado’s streets gives you a very different experience from the one at the historical center of Havana. With a blend of 1950’s and classical architectures where concrete buildings and old mansions can be found, this area gives you an opportunity to get to know a less visited part of Havana, especially if you venture further from the hotels at the sea front.

School

Coppelia

Coppelia

Coppelia is an ice cream parlor and a Cuban institution. It attracts hundreds if not thousands a day, almost exclusively locals, dreaming about ice cream. Queues are the norm at Coppelia and waiting, sometimes, an hour to get a seat and your ensalada (5 scoops of ice cream) is well worth the experience. Plus, it’s really cheap.

You’re likely to be redirected to the tourist queue which is usually smaller but also charges more and in CUC instead of the local Cuban Peso. For a more authentic experience, queue with the locals.

Even if you don’t fancy ice cream, the futuristic building that houses Havana’s Coppelia is well worth the visit.

Highlights of Havana in video

Check out some of these highlights in a short video from our time in Havana.

What are your favorite highlights of Havana? Let us know in the comments below.