Top 10 Things to do in Havana

Many who visit Havana fall in love with the city's charming ambience and its charismatic, friendly inhabitants (Habaneros). A leisurely stroll through the city's streets is time well spent. Havana is small, so walking around is the best way to see what the city has to offer. La Habana Vieja, or Old Havana, was designated a World Heritage Site in 1982. The Old Habana has five centuries of wonderful architecture and is one of Latin America's best-preserved colonial areas.

1. Walk the Malequon

Built along the Northern coastline of Havana, during the early 1900's El Malecon is a favourite walk for both locals and tourists alike. Starting in Old Havana it runs for 12 kms along the main arteries of the city providing incredible views of the bay.

2. Visit a Cigar Factory

The Partagas cigar factory allows easy access because of its city centre location. You can uncover the making of some of the best cigars in the world.

3. Visit Casa de Café
Plaza de Armas esquina a Obispo. La Habana Vieja

Plaza de Armas esquina a Obispo. La Habana Vieja
Take time out to enjoy a Cuban Coffee. This coffee house allows you to sit and enjoy a Cuban coffee and you can also purchase a pack of your favourite brew to take back home with you.

4. Dine at a Paladar

Paladares are the independent, state sanctioned, family run restaurants of Cuba.
Rules stipulate that they must have no more than 12 seats (although many have more) and they should cook rustic Cuban food. The food is authentic, wholesome and inexpensive.

5. Museo de la Revolución | Museum of the Revolution
Calle Refugio 1 entre Monserrate y Zulueta, La Habana Vieja, La Habana, 10600 Cuba.

The Museum of the Revolution is housed in what was once the presidential palace. Exhibits include documents, photographs, videos and two impressive life-size sculptures of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos. Outdoors you will find the Granma memorial. The name comes from the yacht Granma that carried Fidel Castro and 81 other rebels to Cuba's shores in 1956 launching the Cuban Revolution.

6. San Carlos de La Cabaña | Fortress San Carlos de La Cabaña
Carretera de La Cabaña, Habana del Este, La Habana, 19120

Built between 1763 and 1774, this is one of the largest colonial fortresses in the Americas. During the 1800s the surrounding moat was used by firing squads. It was then a military prison until the triumph of the Cuban revolution at which time it became Ernesto Che Guevara's headquarters. Today it houses the Fortresses and Weaponry Museum. A very impressive canon firing ceremony is held nightly at 9pm.

7. El Capitolio Nacional (former National Capitol Building of Cuba)
Calle Paseo del Prado, entre Calle Dragones y Calle San Jose, La Habana, 10600

Built in 1929 to house the island's Senate and House of Representatives, its impressive dome dominates the Havana skyline. Today it is home to the Cuban Natural History Museum and the historic gallery called the Salón de los Pasos Perdidos (The Hall of Lost Steps). It houses the statue of Athena, the biggest indoor bronze effigy in the world and a 28-carat diamond that marks the exact centre of the city.

8. Museo del Ron, Fundación Havana Club | Rum Museum, Havana Club Foundation
Avenida del Puerto 262 esquina Sol, La Habana Vieja, La Habana, 10100

This is a remarkable tour of the Havana Club Foundation and recreates a traditional rum distillery. The journey begins where barrels are made, then on to the presses, the sugar depot, the fermentation and filtration stages, the ageing process, and finally blending and bottling. Visitors are able to sample some unique tasting brews, including Añejo 3 years, Añejo Reserve, Añejo 7 years, or Añejo 15 years and the Solera San Cristóbal de La Habana. The Havana Club bar offers a selection of Cuban cocktails accompanied by some fine local music.

9. Visit Miramar

To the east west of Havana's historic city center is the area known as Miramar. This section of Havana has traditionally been one of the more upscale areas of Havana. Today is maintains this reputation with the addition of luxury hotels and restaurants. Miramar is known for its stately mansions and wide tree lined avenues and is also where many of the Embassies are located adding to the atmosphere of grandeur. The main street in Miramar is Avenida 5 (Fifth Ave) which is a vast avenue allowing you to stroll along the central median. The area is graced with old homes, including Art Deco style mansions. Many of these have been turned into government offices, having been abandoned by their original owners during the Revolution.

10. Music and Dance

Havana has plenty to offer for a fun-filled night out, lots of bars with live music, and clubs for listening to music and dancing.

Habaneros love to dance and party, dance aficionados come to Havana from all over to learn the basic steps, fine-tune their moves, and watch the locals strut their stuff. Most clubs don't get going until after 10pm, and stay pretty vibrant until the wee hours of the morning. Dress codes are somewhat casual, but locals still like to put on the Ritz as much as possible before a night of dancing, so bring some finery if you plan to hit any of the more popular clubs. Be on time, there’s always a crowd particularly when a famous music band like the VAN VAN is announced.

Listed below are some of the more popular long standing clubs to visit.
Café Cantante/Mi Habana/Casas de la Música/Club Irakere/Club Imágenes/Delirio Habanero/ Dos Gardenias/ El gato tuerto/Jazz Café/ La Maison / La Zorra y el Cuervo / Las Cañitas / Macumba Habana, Hotel Nacional de Cuba / El Floridita / La Bodeguita del Medio