Things to do in Havana
Tired of mass culture? Looking for a holiday experience without a McDonald's in sight? Havana certainly comes up trumps for those hoping to gain a different perspective on life but it offers much more than simply an antidote to Western society.
Many of those who visit Havana fall in love with the city's charming ambience and its charismatic, friendly inhabitants. As such, a leisurely stroll through the city's streets of an afternoon is time very well spent. Havana is on the small side, meaning walking around is easily the best way of seeing what the city has to offer, especially when the city's manic bus system is taken into account. The old buildings and 1950s US cars will warm your heart although be prepared to meet with the seedier side of life as well when ambling around. Crime in Havana is extremely low but poverty is everywhere, making for an unforgettable but humbling, and occasionally distressing, experience.
La Habana Vieja, or Old Havana, is one of the main destinations for the majority of visitors. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1982, the old town has some five centuries of wonderful architecture to gaze upon and is one of Latin America's best-preserved colonial areas, with magnificent Spanish-style mansions and old churches to explore. The old town is currently undergoing an enormous preservation project, so the beauty of the area should be charming tourists for many years to come.
Many of the city's best galleries and museums are situated in Old Havana, with the Museo de la Ciudad, which you will find in the 18th century baroque palace positioned on the Plaza de Armas, one of the best. The Museo de la Revolucion is also well worth a look and is a fascinating insight into the Cuban propaganda machine in full flow.
Near the major thoroughfare that is Paseo del Prado you will come across the Museo National de Bellas Artes. This wonderfully restored building is divided into two galleries, one containing Cuban art and the other housing works from international artists and both have pieces of the highest quality.
Visitors will also be drawn to the Plaza de la Revolucion in Vedado, the site of Fidel Castro's May Day speeches and a large, illuminated face of Che Guevara. It is one of the bleaker parts of town but for history alone is worth taking a look at.
If you require a rest from the city's politics, the National Aquarium of Cuba provides some respite. The aquarium is home to a wide range of weird and wonderful sea creatures and is a morning well spent.
The Partagas cigar factory could also be on the itinerary if you have a few days in Havana and don't forget that the city has many miles of wonderful coastline nearby, the perfect treat after a few hours spent working up a sweat in the city.
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Things to do
