As one of the most wonderful cities in the world, Havana is a place you always go back to. Visiting Havana means falling in love with its magnificent architecture, lively atmosphere, passionate dance, top-quality cigars, vintage cars, and many other things.

Cuba’s capital has so much to offer. Here are my 20 favorite things to do in Havana.

1. Visit El Capitolio ( National Capitol Building)

El Capitol is similar to the United States Capitol Building but is not a replica of it. It’s one of the must-see attractions in Havana.

Originally, the building was home to the Cuban government until the Cuban revolution in 1959. After the Revolution, it was the seat of the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the National Library of Science and Technology. Nowadays, it retakes its original purpose as headquarters of the Cuban government.

There is an entrance fee and also, if you want to take a guided tour you’ll have to pay extra.

 

2. Visit Ernest Hemingway’s House

Finca Vigía, located in a suburb of Havana, was Ernest Hemingway’s home where he lived for more than 20 years. This beautiful colonial home is a place where he wrote some of his famous novels. Nowadays, it’s a museum where you can find his unpublished writings, typewriter, and other similar items.

It’s widely known that Hemingway passionately loved Cuba.

 

3. Have a Mojito at La Bodeguita del Medio

A trip to Cuba wouldn’t be complete without visiting Hemingway’s favorite bars. La Bodeguita del Medio was definitely one of them. The writer used to come here and enjoy his mojito.

The bar is too touristy but it’s worth visiting. You must try its amazing mojitos and enjoy the great atmosphere.

 

4. Have a Daiquiri at El Floridita

El Floridita is known as one of Hemingway’s favorite bars and a place where he used to drink his daiquiri. There’s a life-size statue of the writer in the bar.

 

5. Taste Afro-Cuban Culture at Callejón de Camel

Callejón de Hamel is an interesting little spot full of positive vibes, rich culture and vibrant colors. Here, you’ll find rumba music, psychedelic art shops, and funky murals. There’s a live music performance which takes place every Sunday at noon.

 

6. Discover Playas del Este

Las Playas del Este, or the Eastern beaches, are a series of beautiful beaches located about 20 kilometers from Havana. This 9-kilometer-long area is composed of 7 beaches, and the most famous of them is Santa Maria del Mar beach. This area is a perfect place to escape from the city and relax.

 

7. Visit the Tropicana Cabaret

The Tropicana Cabaret is a paradise under the stars. This legendary club that dates back to 1939, offers a spectacular show which can’t be missed.

The cabaret show begins at 10 p.m. and ends at 12 a.m.

HOW MUCH DO TICKETS COST

• Standard Show Ticket– $75 ( includes 1 welcome drink, 1/4 bottle of Havana Club Special Old Rum, 1 soft drink and 1 appetizer-peanut).
• Plus Show Ticket – $85 (includes a preferential table, 1 welcome drink, 1/4 bottle of Havana Club Special Old Rum, 1 soft drink and 1 appetizer-peanut)
• Premium Show Ticket– $95 (includes a preferential table, 1 welcome drink, 1/4 bottle of Whiskey or 7-year old Havana Club Rum, 1 soft drink, 1 appetizer -peanut)

If you want to have dinner in Tropicana it will cost you: Standard Show Ticket+ dinner-$ 95;  Plus Show Ticket plus dinner-$105, and  Premium Show Ticket + dinner-$115.

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS

• Book online
• Book through your hotel
• Buy tickets at the entrance between 2 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

 

8. Take a Stroll Through Old Havana (La Habana Vieja)

With its impressive colorful colonial architecture and lively atmosphere, Old Havana is the most beautiful part of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here you’ll find beautiful Havana Cathedral, Calle Mercaderes, City Museum, and some other historic buildings. You can have a coffee in one of many bars located in the Old Square (Plaza Vieja), and enjoy listening to musicians who play and sing Cuban music.

 

9. Visit Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña

This 18-century fortress complex, also known as La Cabaña, was built by Spanish King Carlos III, who wanted to protect the city from invaders. He began its construction in 1763, a year after the British conquered Havana.

Spain invested a huge amount of money into building it. The fortress was so well-designed that no invaders have ever attacked it.

La Cabaña is home to a military museum ( Museo de Fortificaciones y Armas), and Museo de Comandancia de Che where you’ll see some Che Guevara’s personal objects. He used the fortress as his headquarters.

 

10. Visit Castillo de la Real Fuerza

This beautiful castle, built between 1558 and 1577, is the oldest Spanish fortress in Latin America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built by King Philip II of Spain.

 

11. Take a Walk Along the Malecón

The Malecón is a long seaside promenade and a soul of Havana. The promenade has great importance for the social life in Havana since it’s the main place where locals meet and gather together.

 

12. Have Some Cocktails in Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Hotel Nacional de Cuba, which was built in 1930, has hosted many celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, and many others. It has become a symbol of Cuban history and culture.

This famous hotel, with its lovely gardens overlooking Malecon, is an oasis of peace and relaxation. Have a cocktail or two while relaxing in the shade of palm trees.

 

13. Take a Ride in a Classic Car

Havana is like a car museum with tens of thousands of classic American cars from the 1950s, which are used as taxis. This is the most expensive kind of transportation in Cuba. The fare is 30CUC (or $30) per hour.

 

14. Visit Museo de la Revolución

This is definitely the most important museum in Cuba. It tells the story of the Cuban Revolution. After visiting the museum you’ll understand how Cuba came to be what it is today.

Tickets cost 5CUC ($5), plus 3CUC ($3) for the guide’s services.

 

15. Visit Almacenes San Jose Craft Market for Shopping

This huge craft market is a place where local artisans sell their handicrafts, such as leather items (handbags, wallets, belts, etc.), paintings, sculptures, etc.

 

16. Experience the Lively Nightlife of Havana

As one of the world’s most popular salsa-dancing destinations, Havana has a great nightlife scene. Whether you dance salsa or not, you’ll love its lively and interesting nightlife.

If you want to dance salsa, you can visit Casa de la Musica, which is a famous salsa place. The entrance fee is 15CUC.

Club 1830 is another great place to dance salsa and meet locals. The entrance is 3CUC.

Don Cangrejo is definitely my favorite nightclub in Havana. It’s an open-air, oceanside club with live music and a great atmosphere. The entrance is 5CUC.

Although there are many great nightclubs in Havana, many locals can’t afford to go out. Instead, they meet their friends at the Malecon promenade, where they drink and dance salsa.

 

17. Visit Taquechel Pharmacy Museum

Taquechel is a pharmacy and museum, which collection includes 19-century French porcelain jars, a solar microscope, and many other antique items. It also sells some Cuban natural products and drugs.

 

18. Stroll Down the Calle Mercaderes

When exploring Old Havana (Havana Vieja), you must stroll down Mercaderes, the pedestrian-only street.

This beautiful street has been completely restored by the City Historian’s office since the 1980s and today is filled with many shops, museums, hotels, and bars. Most of the museums are free, including Casa de Asia, Casa de Africa, Museo de Bomberos, and many others.

 

19. Visit the Book Market in Plaza de Armas

This lovely book market is located in the Plaza de Armas, the oldest square in Havana. There are different genres of books and they are mostly in Spanish.

 

20. Explore Plaza de la Revolución

Plaza de la Revolución, or Revolution Square in English, is a place of great importance for the country. Many political rallies have taken place in the square, as well as some large concerts.

Jose Marti Memorial dominates the square, but there are also some other buildings, such as the Ministry of Interior and Communication, which facades are decorated with huge images of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos.