our 12 favourite things to do in Havana

Havana embodies all of Cuba’s charming contradictions.

Economically struggling yet culturally rich, dilapidated and worn but grand and opulent, warm and inviting but difficult and frustrating. It’s this ever-present yin and yang, that makes travel to Cuba and Havana such a unique experience.

With a complex history of colonialism, foreign occupation and decades of economic hardship, this Caribbean metropolis has been through a lot. Despite these struggles, Havana remains a vibrant and energetic city.

Setting foot on its streets is like being whisked onto a dancefloor. Hypnotic Cuban rhythms blare from every corner, syncing with the percussive city sounds and festival atmosphere to make it feel like there’s a party on every avenue.

No matter who you are or how tired you are from your travels, this enigmatic city will electrify and elate you. And to ensure that you experience the best that Havana has to offer, we have put together a list of our 12 favourite things to do in this city.

1. Visit Old Havana

The first stop for many tourists is Old Havana or Habana Vieja, the city’s historical centre and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll these streets and you will be taken back to Havana’s more prosperous years.

Lined with pristine Spanish colonial architecture and filled with iconic monuments, museums, churches, art galleries and four beautiful plazas (Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Franscisco and Plaza de Armas) it’s unsurprising that this is Havana’s biggest attraction.

Beautiful as it is, it provides a less authentic experience compared with other areas of Havana and is mostly frequented by tourists.

Expect touts hustling to get you into restaurants, on tours, or trying to sell you cigars.

2. Meet the Locals

Leave Havana’s touristy parts and you’ll find that the backstreets are alive with music, shouting and laughter. We loved watching the Habaneros go about their lives, playing soccer, fixing cars, hanging out washing, bantering with friends and dancing in their homes.

Despite decades of hardship, Cuba’s citizens remain some of the warmest and most welcoming humans we’ve met.
Armed with some broken Spanish and a camera, we made friends with wonderful people, heard their stories, received invitations to parties and were even welcomed into their homes to meet their families!

(It’s worth noting that Cuba is heavily policed and has a low crime rate, so we felt comfortable strolling Havana’s back streets.)

3. Exploring Different Neighbourhoods

In a city like Havana, there are many interesting neighbourhoods to explore.

Head to the outskirts of the old town and into Centro Havana to discover the dilapidated splendour that Havana is so famous for. A colourful amalgamation of Baroque and Neoclassical styles, these exquisite architectural masterpieces, are found everywhere here in various states of disrepair.

For lovers of street art, the small barrio of Cayo Hueso in Centro Havana is an area not to miss, particularly for its Afro-Cuban murals and sculptures.

Walk further west of Centro Havana to find sprawling Vedado. A 20th century creation, this neighbourhood is the new city centre and the home of the Colón Cemetery and the Plaza de la Revolución.

The La Rampa area of Vedado, offers a younger, trendier scene where aging mansions have been converted into super cool restaurants, bars and clubs.

Further west and a bus or cab ride away from Old Havana is Miramar, Havana’s luxury residential neighbourhood. Characterised by eclectic stand-alone mansions, it is the home of foreign embassies, diplomats, wealthy expats and Cuban officials.

(Chinatown, Jaimanitas and Casablanca were also interesting neighbourhoods to visit)

Amelia on the Malecón at sunset.

5. Go to the Fabrica De Arte Cubano

If you want to experience modern day Cuba at its best then you cannot miss the Fabrica De Art Cubano. Created by Cuban fusion musician X Alfonso in 2014, this all-encompassing world of modern arts is one of the coolest places we’ve been.

Housed in an old Olive Oil Factory in Vedado and with an entry price of only CUC$2, this centre was designed to make the arts accessible for everyone.

The factory is a wonderland of galleries, art installations, fashion boutiques and a variety of stages with incredible musicians, dance floors, bars and eateries. This is a great place to mingle with Cuban people and party into the morning while drinking very large and very strong cocktails for just $10 US.

Hot tip: We’d recommend making a reservation at the attached restaurant – El Cocinero – one of the best in Havana, then entering the art factory before 10 pm as the line gets long and the venue very packed.

The Fabrica De Arte Cubano was open from 8 pm-3 am Thursday-Sunday when we visited in 2019, but check their website for current details.

A band playing at the Fabrica De Arte Cubano.

6. Take a drive in classic car

Cuba’s classic, American cars are one of its biggest attractions.

Even if you aren’t a car buff, being driven around in a pastel-hued, convertible Chevrolet, Ford or Pontiac is an unforgettable experience. And it provides amazing photo opportunities!

You can find these vehicles everywhere in Old Havana, but we found ours near the Hotel Inglaterra.

Find out from your host or hotel the going rate for an hour drive and remember to haggle. It’s sometimes possible to get a better rate. If you prefer to plan in advance then you can organise your ride online (Do this before you arrive in Cuba and no longer have internet access.)

We’d recommend taking a tour of the city at sunset. Your driver will take you wherever you want, but often it’s a good idea to let them show you the sights. They’re full of interesting information about the city, the political climate and what its like to live in Cuba today.

7. Visit Castillo Morro

When walking or driving east along the Malecón you’ll see this spectacular fortress standing like a sentinel across the bay.

Built in 1589 by the Spanish to protect Havana from invaders, it did so successfully until the British seized the city and Castillo Morro in 1762. Havana was returned to the Spanish a year later and the fortress at La Cabaña was created to ensure that this didn’t happen again.

Today Castillo Morro is an interesting place to explore which also offers panoramic views of the city. Every night at 9 pm a cannon fires (as was tradition) to signify the time of night when they used to close the city walls.

Castillo Morro. 

8. Visit Plaza de la Revolución

The Plaza de la Revolución in Vedado is a place where so much of Cuba’s modern history has unfolded.

This square is the base of the Cuban government and where political rallies take place. Fidel Castro was known to address crowds of hundreds of thousands here on many important occasions.

The iconic images of Argentine Che Guevara and the lesser-known revolutionary, Camilo Cienfuegos decorate the side of the Ministries of the Interior and Communications buildings.

Towering over the square is the Jose Marti Memorial, a 109m building which features a museum of Cuban history (difficult to enjoy if you don’t speak Spanish) and a lookout at the top with unbeatable city views.

From left to right, portrait of Camilo Cienfuegos at Plaza de la Revolución, Amelia in front of the picture of Che Guevara and the Jose Marti memorial tower. All photographs by Experiences Are Forever.

9. Eat at La Guarida

La Guarida is Havana’s most famous restaurant.

Set atop a glorious but decaying 20th-century mansion, featuring a grand wooden door, sweeping marble staircase, columns and chandeliers, this incredibly photogenic building gives insight into Cuba’s decadent, pre-revolution years.

The restaurant itself is festooned with lavish décor and has a romantic balcony overlooking the city, where guests can drink and dine under the stars.

La Guarida attracts a beautiful and well-dressed crowd, so be sure to dress up. Expect delicious, modern cuisine and prices north of what you pay in other establishments in Havana but good value compared with most western countries.

Amelia walking down the stairs of the beautiful mansion where you can find La Guarida. 

Photograph by Experiences Are Forever.

10. Visit Fusterlandia

Just a taxi ride away from Centro Havana is the suburb of Jaimanitas, where you will find a spectacular mosaic art installation inspired by the works of Picasso and Guadi. Created by the Cuban artist Jose Fuster (hence the name Fusterlandia) the installation that began with Fuster’s house has now stretched to encompass half the neighbourhood.

Fusterlandia is a beautiful hodgepodge of sculptures and mosaics and despite taking inspiration from other artists, it is also inherently Cuban. It is colourful, loud, unique, and eclectic, just like the city in which it resides.

This is a must-see for lovers of art and those who are interested in learning more about modern-day Cuba.

Fusterlandia.

 Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

We also loved Casa Miglis, a Swedish, Cuban fusion bar and restaurant found inside a restored mansion in Centro Havana. The cocktails were delicious as was the Swedish cuisine with a Cuban twist.

Other top-notch choices for epic Cuban cocktails include the Fabrica De Arte Cubano in Vedado – where the Mojitos are enormous and the charming El Rum Rum Habana de La Habana in Old Havana, where a cigar sommelier will help you choose a cigar to smoke with your drink

Cuban musicians. 

Image courtesy of Canva.

It’s hard not to have fun in Havana. In a city as warm and vibrant as this, just walking the streets can be a blast.

We hope you enjoy our 12 favourite things to do in Havana and that experiencing them gives you a better understanding and appreciation for this city of profound contrasts.