Travel guide · Cuba
Havana travel guide
Colonial plazas, the Malecón seawall and live son music on every corner
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: RenaatPeeters, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Havana, Cuba's capital, spreads west from a sheltered harbour along the Caribbean coast. Old Havana (Habana Vieja), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its fortifications, holds four restored colonial plazas, baroque churches and pastel mansions; Centro Habana's dense streets and the 8-km Malecón seawall lead west to Vedado, the 20th-century district of hotels, ice-cream parlours and music venues. Classic American cars, rumba sessions and old bars tied to Hemingway are part of daily life, and most visitors stay in casas particulares, private homes licensed to rent rooms. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are November–April.
Key facts
- Country
- Cuba
- Best time to visit
- November–April
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- HAV
- Mid-range daily budget
- $110–$220 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Old Havana, Malecón, Classic American cars and Son and salsa music
Why visit Havana
- Old Havana's four main squares — Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco and Plaza Vieja — form one of the largest colonial ensembles in the Americas.
- Live music is everywhere: son and salsa bands in bars on Calle Obispo, Sunday rumba at Callejón de Hamel and big shows in Vedado's clubs.
- The Malecón seawall is the city's living room at sunset, where locals fish, flirt and play music along the sea.
- Staying in a casa particular puts you in a Cuban home, often with breakfast cooked by your hosts.
- Viñales' tobacco valley, the beaches of Playas del Este and the town of Matanzas are within day-trip reach.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Religious site · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Plaza de la Catedral and Havana Cathedral
The baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal, with its asymmetrical towers and curving coral-stone façade, faces a cobbled square framed by 18th-century palaces.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Historic site · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Plaza Vieja
Restored mansions with stained-glass fanlights and arcades surround this broad 16th-century square, which once held the city's market.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Food
- Iconic
Architecture · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
El Capitolio
Completed in 1929, the domed National Capitol Building once housed Cuba's congress and has been restored as the seat of the National Assembly.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
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Waterfront · Centro Habana
Malecón
The 8-km seawall and boulevard runs from the harbour mouth west to the Almendares River, past weathered façades in Centro Habana and the Hotel Nacional.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Couples
- After dark
- Views
- Photo spot
Castle · La Habana del Este
Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro
The 16th-century fortress guarding the harbour entrance has a lighthouse and ramparts with views back across the bay to the Malecón and Old Havana.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Iconic
- Kids
Landmark · Vedado
Plaza de la Revolución
The vast square is overlooked by the José Martí Memorial, a tall star-shaped tower with a museum at its base, and by steel outlines of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos on government buildings.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Photo spot
Where to stay
Habana Vieja (Old Havana) is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 6 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, culture, couples and nightlife
Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Restored colonial plazas, cobbled lanes and Calle Obispo's bars and shops
$ · Best for budget, solo travellers and culture
Centro Habana
Dense residential blocks between Old Havana and Vedado, with the Malecón on one side
$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers, couples and first-timers
Vedado
Leafy 20th-century district of mansions, hotels, Coppelia and music clubs
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, luxury and families
Miramar
Embassy district of large villas along Quinta Avenida
What to eat
- Ropa vieja — Shredded beef stewed with tomatoes, peppers, onions and cumin — the name means 'old clothes' — served with rice and beans.
- Moros y cristianos — Black beans and white rice cooked together with onion, garlic and cumin, the standard side to almost every Cuban meal; congrí is a red-bean version from the east of the island.
- Lechón asado — Slow-roasted pork marinated in sour orange, garlic and oregano (mojo), traditionally cooked whole for celebrations and served with yuca and rice.
- Yuca con mojo — Boiled cassava dressed with a sharp garlic, citrus and oil sauce, a staple side to roast pork.
- Tostones — Green plantain slices fried, flattened and fried again until crisp, usually salted and served as a side or bar snack; mariquitas are thin plantain chips.
- Picadillo — Minced beef cooked with tomato, olives, raisins and spices, eaten with rice; a homely dish common in family kitchens.
When to go
The best time to visit Havana is November to April, the dry season, when days are warm and sunny and humidity is lower; March and April are a good balance of weather and fewer crowds than Christmas and New Year. May to October is hot, humid and rainy, and September and October carry the highest hurricane risk.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry season | November–April | Warm, sunny and less humid, with the busiest cultural calendar; book casas early for Christmas, New Year and February. |
| Early wet season | May–June | Afternoon thunderstorms begin and humidity climbs, but mornings are often clear and crowds are smaller. |
| Summer | July–August | Very hot and humid, with Carnaval on the Malecón and beaches crowded with Cuban families. |
| Hurricane peak | September–October | The wettest months with the highest storm risk; the quietest and lowest-priced time to visit. |
Getting there and around
José Martí International Airport (HAV) is about 15 km south of the centre; taxis take about 25–35 minutes to Old Havana or Vedado. There is no convenient public transport for visitors, so most arrange a taxi or a transfer through their casa or hotel.
Old Havana is best explored on foot, and the walk along the Malecón links it with Centro Habana and Vedado. For longer hops, visitors use official taxis, shared collective taxis (almendrones) on fixed routes, bici-taxis and cocotaxis. City buses are crowded and hard to navigate for newcomers.
Plan your days
Three days covers Old Havana's plazas, the Capitolio, the Malecón, Vedado and the fortresses across the harbour. A fourth day adds Fusterlandia, Finca Vigía or a beach afternoon at Playas del Este; add more days for Viñales or Trinidad.
Practical information
- Currency
- CUP
- Language
- Spanish
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets at 110 V are most common; some hotels also have Type C sockets at 220 V
- Tap water
- Don't drink tap water; use bottled or properly filtered water.
- Emergency number
- 106 (police), 104 (ambulance), 105 (fire)
- Tipping
- Tipping is customary and important to people's incomes: about 10% in restaurants (check if service is already added), small tips for musicians, guides, drivers and bathroom attendants, and something for casa hosts for exceptional help.
Violent crime against visitors is uncommon, but bag-snatching and pickpocketing occur in crowded areas, and touts promote fake cigars and overpriced restaurants. Watch for broken pavements and open drains, and carry a torch, as power cuts have been frequent in recent years.
Flights to Havana
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Havana?
Three days covers Old Havana's plazas, the Capitolio, the Malecón, Vedado and the fortresses across the harbour. A fourth day adds Fusterlandia, Finca Vigía or a beach afternoon at Playas del Este; add more days for Viñales or Trinidad. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Havana?
The best time to visit Havana is November to April, the dry season, when days are warm and sunny and humidity is lower; March and April are a good balance of weather and fewer crowds than Christmas and New Year. May to October is hot, humid and rainy, and September and October carry the highest hurricane risk.
+What is Havana known for?
Old Havana, Malecón, Classic American cars, Son and salsa music, Cigars and rum, Hemingway and Colonial architecture. Old Havana's four main squares — Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco and Plaza Vieja — form one of the largest colonial ensembles in the Americas.
+Is Havana expensive?
Havana is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $110–$220 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Havana?
No. Driving in Havana is hard work, and taxis and walking cover the city. For Viñales and other day trips, a private driver, shared taxi or tour is easier than a rental car.