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Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Havana [2025]
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Old Havana
4.3
/5
91 reviews
8.3
Based on 20,781 reviews
4.1 km from downtown
Address: Havana, Cuba
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–4 hours
Highlights:
Friendly locals invite for photos
Stroll Havana Bay's old charm
30% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Walking through the crumbling, colorful walls of Old Havana felt like stumbling into a faded painting. Sunlight cast the wrought ironwork of colonial balconies onto the cobblestones. Suddenly, a wisp of cigar smoke drifted from a wooden door, mingling with the aroma of fried bananas hawked by street vendors. In the church square, I heard an old man strumming "Two Guitars" under the arcades. The notes wafting from the faded guitar cases cast a damp glow on the 17th-century stone drains. Passing by La Bodeguita, I couldn't resist squeezing in. Beside Hemingway's signature, tourists with newly ordered mojitos sang "Happy Birthday" in ten languages. As dusk stained the turrets of Fort Cabaña golden, I sat on the Maragon Dam, watching the waves crash against the rocks—amidst the splashing foam, I could almost hear Che Guevara's motorcycle roaring by.
Old Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where visitors can explore historic plazas, old streets, and old buildings, such as Plaza Viejo and Plaza de la Catedral, visit the Havana Cathedral and Plaza de Armas, and stroll along charming Calle del Bishop. Learn about Cuban history while visiting the Museum of the Revolution. In Old Havana, visitors can also enjoy a classic car tour, sip a daiquiri at a bar favored by Ernest Hemingway, the author of "The Old Man and the Sea," and sample local cuisine. Admire the murals of Hamel Alley and discover local culture through street musicians and markets.
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Malecón of Havana
4.3
/5
50 reviews
6.9
Based on 12,092 reviews
3.2 km from downtown
Phone +5352823586
Address: 4JRG+MM8, Ave Carlos Manuel Céspedes (Avenue del Puerto), La Habana, Cuba
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–3 hours
Highlights:
Experience Havana Carnival July 26
Lively hub for Havana's music
29% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Malecón Boulevard in Havana connects the new and old towns, boasting a beautiful environment that attracts many people for strolls, romantic walks, dancing, and folk music concerts. It's considered one of Havana's most vibrant nightlife spots, and the famous Havana Carnival is held here annually on July 26th. The boulevard is very long; walking the entire length would likely take one or two hours. Many locals fish along the shore, while tourists relax and unwind. The daytime sun is too strong, so those sensitive to sunburn are advised against walking the entire length. Consider renting a classic car and having a driver take you around in a convertible. There are several stops along the way where you can stop for photos. Watching the sunset from Malecón Boulevard is indeed a wonderful option—it's breathtaking!
Malecon is a really pretty place at sunset!
It's pretty when the sun rises, but it's even prettier when the sun sets.
It's nice to just watch the sunset.
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National Capitol of Cuba
4.2
/5
83 reviews
5.5
Based on 2,941 reviews
3.6 km from downtown
Phone +5378603411
Address: 66 Cienfuegos, La Habana 10200, Cuba
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Unique design like US Capitol
8 paintings depict US history
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The Cuban Capitol is one of the six most famous congress palaces in the world, and it is very similar to the U.S. Capitol. In 1926, this Capitol was built by American engineers and was basically modeled after the U.S. Capitol. It cost $17 million and took 5,000 workers three years and three months to build. In 1929, the incomparable Capitol was built. In 1931, this neoclassical Capitol became the office building of the Cuban House of Representatives and Senate.
The shape of the Capitol is just like the one in Washington, D.C. It is the most beautiful building in Hamana, no doubt about it. There are long steps, I wonder if I can go in and visit. Next to it is the opera house, the scenery is particularly good.
No.
4
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Fort Of San Carlos Of The Cabin
4.0
/5
3 reviews
5.3
Based on 1,577 reviews
5.2 km from downtown
Address: 4MW2+R5R, La Habana, Cuba
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
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The castle is built on Cavaña Hill, overlooking the entire city across Havana Bay. Since the construction of Havana's walls and gates in the late 17th century, a cannon-firing ceremony has been held every night at 9 p.m. to announce the closure of the city gates and port. This tradition of firing the cannons continues to this day and has become an important tourist attraction.
This must be the Castle of Melancholy. There are large green lawns around the castle. The sunset is very beautiful there. There are also many airplanes and cannons on display, which is quite interesting.
No.
5
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Plaza de la Revolucion
4.0
/5
100 reviews
5.1
11.1 km from downtown
Address: Havana, Cuba
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Che Guevara mural & slogans
Che Guevara portrait & slogans
Verified user reviews
Compared to other places, this place is more like an important landmark. It appears in too many TV pictures, so when you are there, you will feel too much emotion and sense of realization.
[Scenery]
In Cancun, Mexico, you can get a Cuban tourist visa for $25 at the airport with a US visa! The Havana airport is very small and there are no buses to the city! Most taxis are Chinese Geely cars! The entire old town is basically a two- or three-story street-facing building from the Spanish period. It is much more expensive than Europe!
No.
6
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Havana Castle Of The Royal Force
4.2
/5
52 reviews
5.1
Based on 749 reviews
4.8 km from downtown
Phone +5378616130
Address: 4MR2+C4R, O'Reilly, La Habana, Cuba
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
360° sunset view from castle
Witness military history & defense
25% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The Royal Army Castle Museum, located at the intersection of Plaza de Armas and Porta del Campo in Havana, was built between 1558 and 1576 and is the oldest surviving military fortress in Havana. This building served as the core of colonial rule for nearly two centuries and is now part of the National Museum, housing exhibition halls. Its architecture blends 16th-century European fortress defense systems with Caribbean colonial styles, making it an important site for studying the history of Spanish colonial expansion and rule in Cuba. However, it seems to be closed recently; check before you go.
Built between 1558 and 1576, the Royal Army Castle is the oldest fortress in Havana. For almost two centuries, it served as the Spanish headquarters of the Governor's Palace until the Governor's Palace was built. Located between the Plaza de Armas and the Port Street, it is now home to the National Museum's exhibition halls.
No.
7
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Plaza de Armas
4.2
/5
64 reviews
5.1
Based on 2,916 reviews
4.8 km from downtown
Phone +5354879091
Address: O'Reilly, & Cuba Tacón, La Habana, Cuba
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–3 hours
Highlights:
Local antique & vintage market
Vintage stalls & unique finds
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The Plaza de Armas is in the old city. There are several squares in it, and they are not very far away if you walk. The May 7th Square is relatively large, and it is like a street garden with many flowers and plants, and there are benches to sit down and rest.
The Plaza de Armas is one of the four major squares. It is quite large and is the only one with green areas. There is also a statue of an unknown person. There are many artists performing here. There are also some benches under the shade of trees where you can sit and rest.
No.
8
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Plaza de la Catedral
4.3
/5
66 reviews
5.0
Based on 6,752 reviews
4.6 km from downtown
Phone +5378617771
Address: 4JRX+89R, La Habana, Cuba
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Baroque asymmetrical twin-tower design
Baroque towers & musical stones
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The cathedral, whose full name is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Tovar, began construction in Havana in 1748 and was completed in 1777. This building is an ultimate example of Baroque architectural aesthetics, with clear asymmetry and bizarre building materials, such as coral taken from the nearby ocean, making it one of the most unique churches in the world and one of the most iconic landmarks in the West Indies.
The Havana Cathedral is not very large. There is an open space at the gate called the church square. There are not many people in the church. Basically, they take a photo and leave. There are beggars at the door of the church, so please pay attention to the safety of your bags.
No.
9
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José Martí Memorial
4.2
/5
18 reviews
4.4
688m from downtown
Phone +5378820906
Address: 4JF7+38X, Calle Paseo y Ave. Independencia. Plaza de la Revolución. La Habana, Av. Paseo, La Habana, Cuba
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–1.5 hours
Highlights:
17-foot José Martí statue stands
Jose Marti statue in Cuba
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The marble statue of José Martín is located in the Central Garden and is one of the most important statues in Havana. José Martín is a pioneer of the entire Latin American revolution and has an important position in Latin American countries. The entire statue is pure white and looks very sacred and solemn. It also symbolizes the independent and brave character of the Cuban people and is a symbol of the spirit of the Cuban people.
Jose Martin is a famous revolutionary pioneer in Cuba, and his marble statue is located in the famous Plaza Mayor in Cuba. The entire marble statue is not tall, but it is pure white and looks very sacred. He has a lofty status in the hearts of the Cuban people and is a national hero in the hearts of the Cuban people.
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