Eight activities not to be missed in Havana, a bustling capital that dazzles with its majestic fortresses, colorful architecture and magical streets where time flies at another speed.
Summary
1- Take a walk in Habana Vieja
Declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, it corresponds to the oldest district of the city of Cuba, Habana Vieja is famous for its squares, castles and fortresses that once protected the city from pirates and privateers, as well as monuments , churches and buildings that bear witness to its golden colonial era.
Among its must-see sites are its four main squares: Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de San Francisco, as well as the narrow Obispo pedestrian street, a route that crosses nine blocks. , art galleries, shops and bars.
2- Eat at the Floridita restaurant and at the Bodeguita del Medio
Two emblematic restaurants in the city of Old Havana, recognized for having been the favorites of the famous writer Ernest Hemingway, who made famous the phrase: « My mojito at La Bodeguita, my daiquirí at El Floridita ».
Tasting their rum-based cocktails is one of the typical activities to do in Havana. These drinks can be accompanied by a representative meal of Cuban gastronomy, while listening to the music of small orchestras.
3- Visit the Museum of the Revolution
Located in Old Havana, this is a majestic building that housed the Presidential Palace for decades. Built at the turn of the 20th century, it is representative of the eclectic style of the era, combining elements of German, Spanish and French architecture, with Art Nouveau interior spaces, designed by renowned New York studio Tiffany.
Since 1974 it has been known as the Museum of the Revolution, its visit being a must-see for any history buff looking for something to do in Havana. In its rooms you will discover the most important events of the Batista government, the revolution and the socialist regime.
4- Watch the sunset over the Malecon
Enclave of the social life of Havana, it is a meeting place for musicians, craftsmen and people of all ages, who go out mainly at sunset, enjoying the freshness of the sea and the beautiful surrounding architectures.
The walk is 8 kilometers long, starts from Paseo del Prado and ends at the mouth of the Almendares River.
5- Stroll through the beautiful Vedado district
It is a district of old mansions, eclectic architectures and modern buildings, where most of the government institutions and offices of foreign companies work, in a pleasant green setting, where the walks and avenues lined with trees abound.
Among its essentials, stand out the Plaza de la Revolución, the Necropolis of Christopher Columbus and the Hotel Nacional, the latter essential for enjoying a cocktail on a terrace.
6- Visit the necropolis of Christopher Columbus
Located in the El Vedado district, it corresponds to a vast cemetery of 57 hectares, considered by its density of sculptural and architectural works, as one of the most important in the world.
Among its singularities, stand out its pantheons, real reconstructions of the colonial residences of their original owners, built in Carrara marble, granite and slates, as well as decorations with domes, arcades and stained glass windows.
7- Buy the famous Cuban cigars at Partagás tobacco factory
Even when you don’t smoke, walking into this museum / factory in itself is a must-do experience in Havana. Founded in 1845, it is the oldest factory in Havana, Cuba, where the tradition of making cigars by hand is still preserved. Guided tours allow you to explore the entire manufacturing process, from drying the leaves from regions like Pinar del Río, to packaging, passing through a huge sales room, where the most varied types of cigars are available.
8- End with a visit to the Capitol
it is an imposing building erected in 1929 on two of the blocks of central Havana. Although it was originally designed to house the parliament, this has not been the case since the Revolution, and it now houses the headquarters of the Cuban Academy of Sciences.
The place is distinguished by its vast staircase, its portico with Ionic columns and the enormous dome, which perched 92 meters high, is visible from various points of the city.
