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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 10 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Claire Boobbyer

This Havana landmark – a huge, vanilla-hued confection looming above the sea – is the city’s most storied building. From its opening in 1930, it has hosted Olympians, presidents, Hollywood stars and mots notoriously perhaps, the Mob. Johnny ‘Tarzan’ Weissmuller dived into the Nacional pool from his room, and the Mob dined on roast flamingo during their 1946 Mafia conference.

The hotel has a unique and extraordinary history, and offers excellent daily guided tours. These fascinating tours divulge the gossip on the famous guest list, delve down into tunnels buried in the gardens dug by the government during the tense days of the 1962 Missile Crisis, and end in the ‘Hall of Fame’ – a room decorated with hundreds of photos of famous guests on the walls.

While you’re there 

The hotel’s popular terrace is the place in Havana to sip minty mojitos. Come back at dusk for sunsets over the ocean, and when traditional Cuban musicians play.

Price from: £4
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: 1+ hours

Getting there & doing it

The Hotel Nacionale is unmissable, rising up above Vedado, right in the centre of Havana.

No booking is needed. Turn up 10 minutes before the tour and congregate by the tourism bureau desk in the lobby. The tour price includes a cocktail in the Hall of Fame. Tours are free to hotel guests.

When to do it

Tours run Monday to Saturday at 10am.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Hotel Nacional

Havana, Cuba[0.1 miles]

A historic and iconic Art Deco, oceanfront property facing the Atlantic on Havana’s seaside road. A Havana institution, rich in history.

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Malecon 663

Havana, Cuba[1.2 miles]

Design-led, family-run boutique stay right on Havana’s Malecon in Central Havana. A lively vibe and a fabulous rooftop terrace and bar.

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La Reserva

Havana, Cuba[2 miles]

Beautiful and stylish boutique hotel, run by warm and friendly owners, at the heart of the artsy and entertainment neighbourhood el Vedado.

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Paseo 206

Havana, Cuba[2 miles]

An Italian-Cuban-owned villa with exceptional service in the heart of Havana’s artsy, leafy suburb, el Vedado.

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Havana

Cuba

Sensual and sultry communist Caribbean capital, home to captivating, crumbling architecture, and enlivened by dance, music, avant-garde art and cocktails.

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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

The Malecon

Havana, Cuba[1.5 miles]

Join the locals on this famous sea wall for rum and sunsets over Havana’s skyline.

Best for ages: 8+ | Free

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Cigar factory tours

Havana, Cuba[1.9 miles]

Watch the ancient artisanal craft of rolling Cuba’s world-famous cigars at one of the very few working factories in Havana that opens to the public.

Best for ages: 13+ | £8 | 1+ hours

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Castle of Los Tres Reyes del Morro

Havana, Cuba[2.6 miles]

An impressive fort, which took 50 years to construct, that has become the iconic symbol of Havana. Climb the 19th-century lighthouse for a view of the entire city and Malecón.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

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The largest collection of Napoleonic memorabilia outside of Europe (some 5,000 items) is housed in this glorious Florentine mansion. Go for the paintings, statues, prized bronze death mask, the French emperor’s bicorne hat, his pistols, and the original oil Napoleon Planning his Coronation by Jean-Georges Vibert.

Best for ages: 18+ | £2

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Havana’s Museo de Artes Decorativas is housed in a palatial mansion, built in the 1920s in Regency style, overflowing with 33,000 antiques from Tiffany glassware to Italian marble. The treasures belonged to Countess Maria Luisa Gomez Mena, sister to famous sugar king, Jose Gomez-Mena Vila, who lived here after it was built.

Best for ages: 18+ | £2

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Watch the locals dance the rumba at one of the city’s three open-air street venues. You can even join in…

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Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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