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Last updated: 02 March, 2023
Expert travel writer: Claire Boobbyer

Where to go and what to see in Havana to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Claire Boobbyer.

Editor note – Claire has not included specific recommendations of where to stay each day unless it’s necessary. Instead, see the ‘Where to stay’ section in our Havana destination guide.

Stroll the four main cobbled squares of Old Havana taking in a visit to the city’s baroque cathedral. Stop for a tasty seafood lunch at Paco’s Mar.

Cab to the Museum of Fine Arts for five centuries of intriguing Cuban art, then hop into a chrome-festooned convertible classic car to cruise Havana’s mesmerising oceanside boulevard, the Malecon.

Dine at La Guarida inside an ornate apartment block, enjoying alfresco drinks on its rooftop terrace.

San Cristobal Cathedral
Experience

San Cristobal Cathedral

Havana, Cuba

This twin-towered 18th-century masterpiece of Cuban Baroque, with beautiful undulating facade and mismatched bell towers, dominates Old Havana’s main plaza. Peek inside: the altar is made of Carrara marble and Italian frescoes crown the altar recess.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Havana Museum of the Fine Arts
Experience

Havana Museum of the Fine Arts

Havana, Cuba

Cuba’s most impressive museum, housed in two separate buildings almost next to each other, showcases the best of Cuban art (in one building) from the 1600s to the modern day, and international artists over 5 art-filled floors of a second building.

Best for ages: 13+ | £6

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The Malecon

Havana, Cuba

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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Get the lowdown on Cuba’s smokes at the Partagas Cigar Factory tour in Centro Havana (Mon-Fri only; book in advance).

Taxi it back to Old Havana for an ice-cold daiquiri at Ernest Hemingway’s favourite bar, El Floridita followed by lunch at brunch favourite El Cafe.

Then cab across the Bay of Havana to see El Morro Castle, before exploring Hemingway’s home Finca Vigia (now the Hemingway Museum) in the suburbs. Return via Cojimar, Hemingway’s favourite coastal getaway.

Enjoy fine dining at Otramanera followed by live music and drinks at intimate, under-the-radar La Casa de la Bombilla Verde.

Cigar factory tours

Havana, Cuba

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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People in front of El Floridita, historic fish restaurant and famous cocktail bar in Old Havana / Habana Vieja, Cuba, that was regularly visited by Ernest Hemingway
Experience

El Floridita

Havana, Cuba

Legendary American writer Ernest Hemingway downed a record 16 daiquiris in one sitting at this, his favourite Havana bar. The bartender mixed him a sugarless and double rum tipple and named it the Papa Doble. Come early to bag a barstool at the glamorous scarlet bar.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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El Cafe
Experience

El Cafe

Havana, Cuba

This funky, Cuban-run cafe and coffee roastery in Old Havana is a popular stop. It sells arguably Havana’s best coffee, great breakfast and exceptional sourdough sandwiches including ample vegan and vegetarian options.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Castle of Los Tres Reyes del Morro

Havana, Cuba

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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Explore the Museum of the Revolution early so you can squeeze your way through crowds for rousing rumba at Callejon de Hamel in Centro Havana (Sun only).

Cab over for delicious lunch at chef-run Grados, then continue in a classic car taxi to see historic Plaza de la Revolucion before admiring marble tombs at Christopher Columbus Cemetery.

Cruise the broad leafy avenues of El Vedado, Havana’s artsy neighbourhood.

Dine at El Cocinero, part of an old peanut oil factory, on its alfresco rooftop before slipping next door to music and entertainment venue Fabrica de Arte Cubano (Cuban Art Factory).

Museum of the Revolution
Experience

Museum of the Revolution

Havana, Cuba

History buffs will love the Museo de la Revolución that details the minutiae of Fidel Castro’s 1953-1959 rebel campaign, culminating in victorious revolution in the ornate surrounds of the old Presidential Palace. The outdoor exhibition displays weaponry, aeroplanes and the Granma yacht, which brought Castro from exile in Mexico to Cuba to relaunch the rebel campaign in 1956.

Best for ages: 18+ | £2

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Street rumba

Havana, Cuba

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

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Grados
Experience

Grados

Havana, Cuba

Raulito Bazuka’s old-school paladar format is updated by the smart surrounds and the wonderful food – Cuban and international flavours. Raulito was mentored by chefs at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Spain.

Best for ages: 13+ | £15

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Christopher Columbus Cemetery
Experience

Christopher Columbus Cemetery

Havana, Cuba

Dating from the 19th century, Havana’s remarkable cemetery is an architectural gem, home to marble mausoleums, winged angels, sparkling mosaics, wrought-iron motifs, Art Deco sculptures, vast government monuments and 1959 Revolution memorials.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Stroll Havana’s marble-lined promenade El Prado, passing Central Park, to the gold-domed Capitol building with its spectacular interiors.

Lunch at Paladar San Cristobal with its flamboyant chef, then wander the nearby streets of Chinatown swinging by the latest avant-garde art show at Galleria Continua, a converted Chinese cinema.

Cab it to national ice cream parlour Coppelia for cones before walking past iconic hotels and cinemas down to historic Hotel Nacional for a mojito overlooking the sea.

In the patio of La Bodega, dine on regional Cuban food, before enjoying live music and cocktails at Fangio close by.

National Capitol Building
Experience

National Capitol Building

Havana, Cuba

This imposing wedding-cake mansion is the seat of the Cuban government. Stop by to see the marble 400ft Hall of the Lost Steps, the gigantic Statue of the Republic, the bronze bas-relief front doors, and the statue of the devil in a patio devoid of shade.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Stroll or bike the spray-painted streets of San Isidro Art District in southern Old Havana where street murals flourish in the balconied streets.

Take an insightful tour at Havana Club Rum Museum finishing with a tasting session. Lunch at hole-in-the wall Jibaro on Cuban cuisine.

Wander the streets in search of the designs and wares of Cuba’s new independent stores: Clandestina, Dador, Alma, Beyond Roots, and Memorias.

For food, service, and design, dine at Cuban restaurant Antojos before bar-hopping some of Old Havana’s new, cool watering holes for superlative cocktails. Picks include El del Frente, Bar Melodrama, and Sibarita.

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Experience

San Isidro Art District

Havana, Cuba

An emerging district of street art, galleries and festivals in Southern Old Havana. Look out for cool street art, Galería Taller Gorría, and new bars and cafés.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Havana Club Rum Museum
Experience

Havana Club Rum Museum

Havana, Cuba

An insightful primer on Cuba’s sugar cane and rum-making in a grand 18th-century mansion, with gorgeous stained-glass windows. Tour highlights include the working model and train of the erstwhile Cuban Hershey sugar plantation, a whiff of the base ingredient of rum – molasses – and a tasting session in the museum bar.

Best for ages: 18+ | £5

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