Top places to visit in Havana

• El Capitolio

  landmark · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Cuba's monumental neoclassical/eclectic capitol (1929), echoing the US Capitol; seat of the National Assembly, with a gilded Statue of the Republic inside.

• Museo de la Revolución

  history · 4.0 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The former Presidential Palace tells the story of the Cuban Revolution; the Granma yacht is displayed behind.

• Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro

  fortress · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Clifftop fortress (1589) guarding the harbour mouth; lighthouse and panoramic views back to the city.

• Plaza de San Francisco de Asís

  plaza · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Cobbled harbourside plaza with the Basílica Menor de San Francisco and the Fuente de los Leones fountain.

• Plaza de Armas

  plaza · 4.6 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  Havana's oldest square, shaded by royal palms, ringed by the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales and a daily second-hand book market.

• Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana

  cathedral · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Baroque cathedral (1777) of Cuban limestone studded with marine fossils, on the atmospheric Plaza de la Catedral.

• Plaza Vieja

  plaza · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Restored 16th-century square ringed by colourful colonnaded mansions, cafés and a camera obscura.

• Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña

  fortress · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Vast 18th-century fortress overlooking Havana; nightly 9pm cañonazo cannon-firing ceremony in colonial dress.

• Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC)

  arts-venue · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A converted cooking-oil factory turned into Havana's buzzing art-gallery-meets-nightclub complex.

• Fusterlandia

  art · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Artist José Fuster's fantastical mosaic-covered neighbourhood in Jaimanitas — a Gaudí-esque riot of tilework.

• Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso

  theatre · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Ornate baroque-revival theatre on Paseo del Prado, home of the Cuban National Ballet.

• Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (Arte Cubano)

  art · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Cuba's national fine-arts museum, with the finest collection of Cuban painting and sculpture.

Things to do

• Classic Convertible City Tour Tour · 1.5 h · from USD 60 per person
• Old Havana Walking Tour Tour · 3 h · from USD 25 per person
• Cigar & Rum Tasting Food · 2 h · from USD 35 per person
• Havana Salsa Class Class · 1.5 h · from USD 20 per person
• Tropicana Cabaret Show Show · 3 h · from USD 90 per person
• Callejón de Hamel Sunday Rumba Show · 2 h · from USD 15 per person

Day trips and tours

• Classic Havana Full-Day Tour 8 h · from USD 75

Where to stay in Havana

• Habana Vieja (Old Havana) about CUP 90 per night

  The UNESCO historic core: cobbled plazas, museums, casas particulares and boutique hotels within walking distance of the main sights.

• Vedado about CUP 80 per night

  Leafy mid-century district with the Malecón, Hotel Nacional, Fábrica de Arte Cubano nightlife and grand avenues.

• Centro Habana about CUP 45 per night

  Gritty, authentic residential Havana between Old Havana and Vedado; great casas and the Callejón de Hamel.

Hotels

• Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski 5-star
• Iberostar Grand Packard 5-star
• Hotel Sevilla 4-star
• Hostal San Cristóbal (Casa Particular) 2-star
• Casa Miriam Mirabal (Casa Particular) 2-star
• Hotel Los Frailes 3-star

Where to eat

• La Guarida Cuban, International, Fine dining · about USD 40 per person
• La Bodeguita del Medio Cuban · about USD 20 per person
• El Patio Cuban, International · about USD 18 per person
• Café del Oriente International, Cuban · about USD 35 per person
• Los Nardos Spanish, Cuban · about USD 15 per person
• El Chanchullero Cuban, Tapas · about USD 12 per person
• La Zaragozana Spanish, Cuban · about USD 20 per person
• Restaurante La Dominica Italian, Cuban · about USD 20 per person

Getting to Havana

Airport: Havana (HAV)

How visitors arrive in Havana

• Flight to José Martí Airport By air from International and Varadero · common

  Terminal 3 handles most international flights; some travellers fly to Varadero and bus in. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Viazul bus By road from Cuban cities · common

  The Viazul terminal serves most major destinations. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train to La Habana Central By train from Cuban cities · possible

  The hub of the national network, but service is reduced and irregular. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Shared taxi or rental car By road from Cuban cities · possible

  Shared taxis gather by the Viazul terminal; cars can be hired. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Official taxi from the airport

  Official taxis are the main airport option. The guide warns that unofficial cabs to or from the airport may attract police attention. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Havana MetroBus P-12 / P-16 unconfirmed

  MetroBus routes P-12 and P-16 serve Terminals 1 and 2. They are crowded, and the bus does not enter Terminal 3, so most international arrivals do not use it. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Most international flights use Terminal 3. Terminal 1 is domestic and Terminal 2 handles mainly charters, so check which one you land at. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bus

  Havana's city buses are mostly modern Yutong vehicles, and stops are not always clearly marked, so asking locally helps.

• Shared Taxi

  Colectivos are shared taxis, often old American cars, that follow set routes and take several passengers at a time.

• Taxi

  Official taxis are mostly modern cars, classic American cars also work as taxis, and the fare should be agreed before getting in.

• Walking

Paying

• US-issued cards do not work in Havana and other foreign cards may be blocked. Bring cash and check with your bank. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Fake "factory" cigars

  Old Havana streets, near cigar shops

  A friendly local claims a cousin works at the Partagás factory and offers boxes of "genuine" Cohibas cheaply; the cigars are counterfeit and often unsmokable.

  How to avoid it: Only buy cigars from official state shops (La Casa del Habano) with the holographic seal and receipt.

• Jineteros / commission touts

  Tourist areas, restaurants

  Charming strangers befriend you, then steer you to a bar or paladar where prices are inflated and they take a cut.

  How to avoid it: Politely decline unsolicited "guides"; choose your own restaurants and check prices first.

• Currency & change confusion

  Markets, taxis, small shops

  Since CUC was abolished, prices may be quoted in USD, CUP or MLC; vendors may short-change tourists on the exchange.

  How to avoid it: Know the day's CUP-per-USD rate, count your change, and carry small bills.

Best time to visit Havana

• Jan 27°C
• Feb 27°C
• Mar 29°C
• Apr 30°C
• May 31°C
• Jun 32°C
• Jul 32°C
• Aug 32°C
• Sep 32°C
• Oct 31°C
• Nov 29°C
• Dec 27°C

More in Cuba

• Varadero
• Trinidad
• Santiago de Cuba
• Viñales
• Cayo Coco
• Cienfuegos

Frequently asked questions about Havana

What are the top-rated places to visit in Havana?

The highest-rated places in our Havana guide are Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana, Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC), Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso, El Capitolio, Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro.

Where should I stay in Havana?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Havana: Habana Vieja (Old Havana), Vedado, Centro Habana.

How do I get around Havana?

Ways to get around Havana covered in our guide: City bus, Shared taxi, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Havana?

Scams reported to us for Havana include Fake "factory" cigars; Jineteros / commission touts; Currency & change confusion. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Havana?

Average daytime highs in Havana run from 27°C in Jan to 32°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Havana?

The nearest airport to Havana has the code HAV.