Plaza de Armas
Old Havana is a great place to start a tour of Havana, and what better to start at the place where the city was originally founded. In 1828 a small chapel, The Temple, which contains an interesting fresco painting by French artist Jean Baptiste was built. Opposite the chapel is similar to Ceiba tree under which the first mass was held in Cuba. From there, the road that takes you to Plaza de Armas, is dominated by the City Museum, which occupies the magnificent Palace of the General Captains, where he used to reside the highest authority in the colony. This popular museum illustrates the history of Havana since its founding to the present.
The Temple
Street Corner Marketplace, between Calle O’Reilly and Plaza de Armas, Havana Vieja
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1800.
Admission charge.
Museo Casa Natal de José Martí .
Museum of treasured belongings Cuban National Hero, José Martí. Located on the street Leonor Perez (old Paula) No 314, in Old Havana, in the house where José Martí was born.
In that house the museum was founded on January 28, 1925 and is the oldest museum in Havana. In 1949 the building was declared a National Monument as well as the original documents and manuscripts of Martí. There is today most treasured objects that remain from him.
The Bishop Street
Bishop is one of the most popular streets in the city of Havana. It belongs to the historic center and its main feature is the large number of stores that are located all along it, where you can enjoy any time of day musical trios in any corner of the city.
The Capitol
The National Capitol of Cuba is one of the most important works of the Cuban architecture appears in the international ranking as one of the six most important palaces worldwide. This monument was inspired, as Washington and other cities, in the original Roman but better equipped, has a large granite staircase of 55 steps, a neoclassical façade and impressive dome height of 91.73 meters (fifth in the world and second highest point in the city).
Cathedral Square
The Cathedral Square is one of the most authentic and best preserved squares of Havana, with the cathedral and surrounding buildings renovated to show its original splendor. The Cathedral of San Cristóbal de La Habana is a XVIII century Baroque building that occupies the northern part of the square. Opposite is the oldest building in Havana, dating from 1720, the Museum of Colonial Art. The building is an architectural gem built around a central courtyard containing tropical plants and is complemented by the collection of Colonial furniture belonging to ancient palaces and mansions of Havana. The square is also surrounded by cafes, restaurants and an awesome office.
Catedral de San Cristobal de la Habana
Hours: Officially open daily, but often remains closed.
Admission: Free.
Havana Hemingway
No visit to Havana complete without paying homage to one of its most famous resident, Ernest Hemingway. Walking from Plaza de Armas and Plaza de la Catedral, worth stopping at the Hotel Ambos Mundos, an elegant building of the 20s, where Ernest Hemingway stayed for much of the 30s. In room 511 is where he began writing For Whom the Bell Tolls. While the rest of the hotel has been refurbished, the room has been preserved intact Hemingway and now open to the public as a museum.
But to give a true homage to Hemingway, you have to do is what he used to do: start the evening with a mojito (rum and delicious blend of mint) La Bodeguita del Medio, 207 Stonehouse Street, and continue with another favorite drinks, a Daiq Hotel Ambos Mundos
Calle Obispo 153, corner of Calle Mercederes, Habana Vieja
Tel: (7) 860 9530.
Hours: Mon-Sat 10.00-16.00.
You pay entrada.uiri at El Floridita, 557 Calle Obispo.
Fortress Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro
Built by the Spanish in the sixteenth century, this fort that is located at the entrance of the harbor, protected Havana from the threat of pirate ships. The fort contains a collection of ancient weapons, among which is a huge catapult. Every night at 21:00 a cannon fires at bay with a representation of the ritual performed the soldiers of the time.
Carretera de la Cabaña, Havana del Este
Tel: (7) 863 4950.
Hours: Daily 08.00-22.00.
Admission charge.
El Malecón Habanero
One of the most iconic images of the city gives us the twentieth century from the famous Malecon of Havana, the tour covers eight kilometers and its construction took almost 50 years to be completed. It is an enveloped by the sound of the waves of a stormy sea and other occasions impassive magical place. Where you will enjoy an overflowing joy ride and authentic Cuban flavor due to attendance at any time of day.
Cigar factories
You can not leave Havana without visiting one of the cigar factories and Partagas Tobacco Factory, which is one of the oldest.The cigars are still hand and so far the tradition of hiring someone to read to the workers while continuing to work. Equally famous is the Royal Tobacco Factory Romeo and Juliet, which also follows the traditional method in the production of cigars.
Partagas Tobacco Factory
Calle Industria 520, Centro Habana
Tel: (7) 862 0086.
Opening hours: Daily 0800-1500. The factory tours are organized from Monday to Saturday from 09.00 to 15.00.
Input: 10CUC.
Royal Tobacco Factory Romeo and Juliet
Belascoaín 582 Street between Penalver and Drainage, Centro Habana
Tel: (7) 878 5166.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1500.
Admission charge.
Museum of Fine Arts
The collection of the Museum of Fine Arts is housed in two separate buildings, but both are very close to Central Park. The International Museum, located within one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, offers a wide selection of Asian, Italian, Greek, and Latin American art, while the building of Cuban Art Collection houses the best collection of Cuban art world.
Museum of the Revolution and Granma Memorial
The dictator of 50 years, Batista, like other dictators, could not resist and had to impress the people with a grandiose presidential palace. Therefore, it is ironic that this glorious palace (which could not enjoy much) making use of the museum of the Revolution, a vivid exhibition illustrating the struggle of the Cubans gain sovereignty over its own island. The museum has photographs, films, clothing, original documents and weapons of the era. In the garden is the Memorial Granma Granma boat that Fidel Castro and 80 other fighters returned to Cuba from exile in Mexico in 1956. Around the garden there are several vehicles used in the fight.
Refugio Street 1 Street between Monserrate and Zulueta Street, Old Havana
Tel: (7) 862 4092/3/4.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission charge.
The Christ of Havana
The monument was built in Italy and is the work of the Cuban sculptor Jilma Wood. The figure of Jesus is standing with one hand on the chest and the other on high, his blessing, overlooks the city and has a height of twenty feet above the base of three meters. It weighs 320 tons and is composed of 67 pieces. From there you can enjoy one of the most beautiful and breathtaking views of the City of Havana, especially its oldest part, and the passage of large vessels but also small passenger boats that ferry neighbors on either side of the bay.
Marina heminguey
The Marina Hemingway is considered an ideal place for lovers of the marine environment, providing options such as commercial centers, Casa del Habano, medical, naval hardware, Cybercafe, pharmacy and local transportation, and other facilities. Likewise the base is an unavoidable international regattas port to become technical point scale sailing to other latitudes.
Playas de Este
Playas del Este comprises a long coastline of white sandy tropical beaches, extending about 15 km from Havana and even the Tropics. These highlight: The Mégano, Santa María del Mar and Guanabo. All are a great way to spend a few days enjoying wonderful beaches and also take advantages of proximity to the capital. It is also advisable to visit Cojimar, the fishing village where he was inspired “The Old Man and the Sea” by Hemingway. In the Eastern Beaches, Guanabo is the best place to stay in a private home.