QUICK GUIDE OF THINGS TO DO IN HAVANA
Throughout history, Havana has been conquered more times than you can say Piña Colada. Post the revolution, imperial legacies have been left to crumble in warm Caribbean sun. Today, the shells of colonial Spanish architecture, adorned with street art, provide a canvas for some of Havana’s atmospheric bars and restaurants.
Here’s our quick guide of the best things to do in Havana including our favourite places to eat and drink as well as our top picks for getting the most out of your Havana experience.
SEE
TOP SIGHTS
This town isn’t about big tourist attractions; her charms will make themselves known as soon as you enter the old town. But, here are some things to do in Havana that we loved.
CENTRO CULTURAL ANTIGUOS
Collect some Cuban souvenirs in the form of colourful paintings, woodwork or jewellery in the sprawling converted shipping warehouse. There’s no state-enforced pricing here, locals and tourists haggle in this vibrant nod to capitalism. Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 Mon to Sat | Location: Cnr Desamparados & San Ignacio
REAL FÁBRICA TOBACCO FACTORY
Cigar connoisseurs and novices will appreciate this tour of Havana’s most famous tobacco factory. Learn what it takes to produce a handcrafted cigar and meet some of the experts along the way. / Hours: 09:00 – 13:00 Mon-Fri | Cost: CUC$10 | Location: San Carlos 816
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
With the top floor dedicated to pre-revolution art and the middle floor dedicated to post-revolution art, this interesting modern art gallery is a walk through Cuba’s recent history./ Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 Tue-Sat; 10:00 – 14:00 Sun | Price: CUC$5 | Location: Trocadero
SEE
TOP SIGHTS
This town isn’t about big tourist attractions; her charms will make themselves known as soon as you enter the old town. But, here are some things to do in Havana that we loved.
CENTRO CULTURAL ANTIGUOS
Collect some Cuban souvenirs in the form of colourful paintings, woodwork or jewellery in the sprawling converted shipping warehouse. There’s no state-enforced pricing here, locals and tourists haggle in this vibrant nod to capitalism. Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 Mon to Sat | Location: Cnr Desamparados & San Ignacio
REAL FÁBRICA TOBACCO FACTORY
Cigar connoisseurs and novices will appreciate this tour of Havana’s most famous tobacco factory. Learn what it takes to produce a handcrafted cigar and meet some of the experts along the way. / Hours: 09:00 – 13:00 Mon-Fri | Cost: CUC$10 | Location: San Carlos 816
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
With the top floor dedicated to pre-revolution art and the middle floor dedicated to post-revolution art, this interesting modern art gallery is a walk through Cuba’s recent history./ Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 Tue-Sat; 10:00 – 14:00 Sun | Price: CUC$5 | Location: Trocadero
LISTEN
LIVE MUSIC SCENE
It’s impossible to visit Havana without being engrossed in its live music scene which echoes down dusty laneways and through ageing bars. Here’s our quick guide to Havana and her music.
EL GUAJIRITO
Enjoy some excellent Buena Vista Social Club music from seasoned professionals with a gaggle of Latin Grammy Awards between them. It’s cheesy and touristy, but a great thing to do in Havana. / Show Time: 21:30 | Price: $CUC30 drinks only; $CUC50 dinner and drinks; book early for drinks only | Location: Zulueta 660
FÁBRICA DE ARTE CUBANO
An eclectic mix of art, live music, fashion and cocktails in this sprawling ex-cooking oil factory. Grab a drink, stroll from room to room and enjoy one of Havana’s most unique nights out. / Hours: 20:00 – 3:00 Thu-Sun | Entry: $CUC2 | Location: Cnr Calle 26 & Calle 11
MUSICAL STREETS
You don’t need to pay for live music in Havana, just follow the sounds of your favourite tune down delightfully crumbling laneways. Check out Calle O’Reilly, Calle Obispo, Calle San Ignacio, Calle Mercaderes and Plaza de Armas for some great street music.
LISTEN
LIVE MUSIC SCENE
It’s impossible to visit Havana without being engrossed in its live music scene which echoes down dusty laneways and through ageing bars. Here’s our quick guide to Havana and her music.
EL GUAJIRITO
Enjoy some excellent Buena Vista Social Club music from seasoned professionals with a gaggle of Latin Grammy Awards between them. It’s cheesy and touristy, but a great thing to do in Havana. / Show Time: 21:30 | Price: $CUC30 drinks only; $CUC50 dinner and drinks; book early for drinks only | Location: Zulueta 660
FÁBRICA DE ARTE CUBANO
An eclectic mix of art, live music, fashion and cocktails in this sprawling ex-cooking oil factory. Grab a drink, stroll from room to room and enjoy one of Havana’s most unique nights out. / Hours: 20:00 – 3:00 Thu-Sun | Entry: $CUC2 | Location: Cnr Calle 26 & Calle 11
MUSICAL STREETS
You don’t need to pay for live music in Havana, just follow the sounds of your favourite tune down delightfully crumbling laneways. Check out Calle O’Reilly, Calle Obispo, Calle San Ignacio, Calle Mercaderes and Plaza de Armas for some great street music.
WHERE TO STAY IN HAVANA
We recommend booking accommodation in the north western part of the old town. That way you can walk to the atmospheric streets and also easily get to many of the museums that are just outside the old town.
Here are some accommodation recommendations from us.
COOL LUXURY / ART BOUTIQUE HOTEL
For a cool, yet comfortable stay, hide away behind the blue door on a quiet lane that houses Art Boutique Hotel. It’s not the cheapest, but if you’re looking for a friendly stay, away from the din of central Havana, this is a great choice.
AFFORDABLE CLASSIC / CASA TAMARA & CHEN
Enjoy friendly service at Casa Tamara & Chen, where you’ll be treated like a long-lost family member and feel like a local in no time at all. Tamara is loaded with helpful recommendations to make the most of your time in Havana.
POSH BLOWOUT / HOTEL SARATOGA
It’s all out luxury at Hotel Saratoga. Gaze over the nearby old town from the comfort of their rooftop pool – one of the most enviable in Havana. Enjoy free WIFI, 24-hour concierge and a spa to unwind after long days pounding the cobbled lanes.
MAP / THINGS TO DO IN HAVANA
All the locations in this guide are included on our map so you can hit the ground running in Havana. Just click on the star to save this map to your places in Google maps.
HAVANA PLAYLIST
In North America, music was often banned in slave communities. Not so in Cuba – as a result, African influences dominate the music styles. Wander the old town and you’ll inevitably be seduced by the rhymic drumming and soulful voices of Afro-Cuban music.
WHERE TO NEXT?
Firstly, if you found this guide useful, follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with our travel plans.
Secondly, if Havana is the beginning of your trip to Cuba then check out tips for getting around Cuba here. Otherwise here’s some more reading from us you might enjoy.
HIKING VIÑALES WITHOUT A GUIDE
If you have any questions please leave them in the comments section below – we will always reply. To keep up to date with our travels, sign up to our monthly NEWSLETTER.
I wish someone wrote such a nice comprehensive guide for every city I plan to visit! Great job guys, thanks for the overview! I love it that you included breakfast places, those are usually left out of every guide!
Thanks, Anca. Breakfast is very important to us, so we’ll always have that up the top of any guide we do!
Cuba’s always seemed pretty chilled and colourful to me – is it true that bus drivers sometimes drive to the beat of the music?
I had no idea the restaurant business was so young; quite the contrast to the one in Madrid that’s the oldest in the world! I’ll definitely put Cuba on my already overflowing bucket list, thanks for the inspiration!
It’s a very interesting country. With communism still in full swing a lot of things we take for granted – like restaurants – and just not very well established in Cuba. Hope you make it there someday soon. We have lots more Cuba content in the pipeline.
Music, food, and nature… I’d like to travel there as soon as possible.
You should, it’s a great city.
LOVE the playlist! What a great idea! Instantly transported. Cuba is so mesmerizing and colorful. I’m down for trying the traditional coffee and soaking it all in. Great list. Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles. Cheers from Scandinavia.
Glad to hear it. Havana is all about the music.
I really want to go to Cuba and this is the perfect mini guide. I’d be especially interested in listening to all the music of Havana and whiling away a few hours in the cafés and bars. Thanks for sharing on #farawayfiles
Hope you get there soon, it’s an interesting place. There’s so much life on the streets in Havana.
Great guide – I loved that you created a playlist – I’ll definitely be checking this out to remind me of my time there. One of my favourite things about the city was its music. #FarawayFiles
Yes, Havana has a vibe of its own.
Hoping Cuba is not too far down on my list, meaning I’ll get there soon 🙂 Love the look/set-up of this post. #farawayfiles
Thanks a lot. Glad you like it.
Love the music playlist. A really practical guide for anyone heading to sunny Cuba.
Thanks a lot!