Free things to do · Havana · Cuba
8 free things to do in Havana
Havana without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Nigel Pacquette, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Havana without paying an entry fee: Plaza de la Catedral and Havana Cathedral, Plaza Vieja, Malecón and Plaza de la Revolución are all free. Cash is used for most transactions and card acceptance is limited; check current guidance on currency and exchange before travelling, as arrangements change often.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 9
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- September
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
1.Plaza de la Catedral and Havana Cathedral
Come early in the morning or at dusk, when the stone glows and the tour groups have gone.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Historic site · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
2.Plaza Vieja
Take a seat at one of the plaza's café terraces in the late afternoon for the best light.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Food
- Iconic
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Waterfront · Centro Habana
3.Malecón
Walk the stretch from the Prado to the Hotel Nacional at sunset, or ride it in a classic convertible.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Couples
- After dark
- Views
- Photo spot
Landmark · Vedado
4.Plaza de la Revolución
Visit as part of a classic-car tour; the square is large and exposed with little shade.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Free
- Photo spot
Historic site · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
5.Plaza de Armas
Browse the book stalls for old magazines, posters and stamps, then visit the City Museum's courtyard.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Shopping
Historic site · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
6.Plaza de San Francisco de Asís
Check for evening classical or choral concerts in the basilica; the acoustics are excellent.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Street · Centro Habana
7.Callejón de Hamel
Go on a Sunday around midday for the rumba, and keep an eye on your belongings in the crowd.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Jaimanitas
8.Fusterlandia
Combine with a drive along Quinta Avenida in Miramar; it is about 25–30 minutes from Old Havana by taxi.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Free
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
- Kids
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Habana Vieja (Old Havana) | Plaza de la Catedral and Havana Cathedral, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas and Plaza de San Francisco de Asís | 45 minutes + 1 hour + 1 hour + 45 minutes |
| Centro Habana | Malecón and Callejón de Hamel | 1–2 hours + 1 hour |
| Vedado | Plaza de la Revolución | 45 minutes |
| Jaimanitas | Fusterlandia | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Architecture · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
El Capitolio
Photograph it from Parque Central or the Gran Teatro's steps, ideally with a line of classic cars in the foreground.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- History
- Photo spot
Castle · La Habana del Este
Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro
Go in the late afternoon, then walk to La Cabaña for the evening cannon ceremony.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Iconic
- Kids
Castle · La Habana del Este
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña
Arrive by about 8:30pm to find a good spot along the wall for the cannon ceremony.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- After dark
- Kids
- Views
Museum · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
If time is short, choose the Cuban art building; it is the collection you can't see anywhere else.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Architecture · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso
Ask at the box office for the week's programme; ballet tickets are good value compared with similar venues abroad.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- After dark
- Rainy day
Architecture · Vedado
Hotel Nacional de Cuba
Order a mojito in the garden at sunset, with the Malecón curving away below.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Couples
- Views
- Architecture
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Historic site · San Francisco de Paula
Finca Vigía (Hemingway's house)
Arrive early; the house is viewed from outside through the windows and doors, so crowds make it hard to see.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Vedado
Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón
Walk the main avenue to the central chapel, then wander the side avenues for the most elaborate tombs.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Castle · Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
Climb the tower for a view over the harbour and Plaza de Armas.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- Cash is used for most transactions and card acceptance is limited; check current guidance on currency and exchange before travelling, as arrangements change often.
- Bring small denominations; change for large notes is often hard to find.
- Casas particulares are usually better value than hotels and include local knowledge from your hosts.
- Agree taxi and tour prices before setting off, and ask your host about fair rates.
- Shared almendrón taxis on fixed routes cost a fraction of private taxis.
- May, June, September and October bring the lowest prices for rooms.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Havana expensive to visit?
Havana is moderately priced for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Havana?
Plaza de la Catedral and Havana Cathedral: Come early in the morning or at dusk, when the stone glows and the tour groups have gone.