6 Amazing Things to Do in Vibrant Havana, Cuba

Havana invites the visitor for a stroll. Soak in the sun, the scenic streets, rumba, and salsa, as you enjoy the city’s art and architecture. And all this in an old-timey atmosphere that is a feast for the senses.

Walk the cobbled streets of Havana as you tour historic buildings and museums. Sit back and enjoy the legendary restaurants as you marvel at the sheer number of brightly-colored classic cars. You may even take a ride in a vintage vehicle and cruise slowly through the streets of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

?Below is a list of things to do, enchanting places to visit, and sites to see in Havana.

?1.????? Take a stroll along El Malecon

?El Malecon is Havana’s main waterfront, a charming place with splendid views. Stroll along the eight-kilometer boulevard in the late afternoon as you take in the colorful buildings that come in a mix of architectural styles. Snap beautiful photos against the golden glow of the setting sun.?

?The Malecon was built over 50 years. As you walk along it, the buildings change, indicating the different periods in which they were constructed. The boulevard is a favorite with Havana residents, so seize this opportunity to meet and observe locals as they enjoy the ocean breeze.?

?2. Wander around the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (the National Museum of Fine Art)

?The museum is spread across two buildings – the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Palacio del Centro Asturiano. The former houses some 500 years of Cuban art – from colonial times to the present. Enjoy Rita Lonja’s captivating modernist sculpture, located at the museum’s entrance. The museum offers a feast for the eyes and the senses. Look out for works by Wilfredo Lam, Rene Portocarrero, and Raúl Martínez.

Designed in the 1920s, the Palacio del Centro Asturiano is the place to enjoy ancient art - from the Egyptian to the Roman periods. It also houses works by European masters.?

It’s advisable to engage a tour guide, to help you make the most of this valuable and diverse collection.

?3.????? Visit Catedral de San Cristobal?

?The magnificent Catedral de San Cristobal (Havana Cathedral) towers over the Plaza de la Catedral, where it is located. Completed in 1777, the cathedral is a celebration of the Cuban Baroque style.?

The two asymmetrical bell towers are an arresting feature of the cathedral. The interior is beautiful, with enormous stone pillars, domed ceilings, and a reasonable collection of art and antiquities.

One of the artworks in the cathedral is the 17th-century wooden sculpture of Saint Christopher. In addition, the cathedral held the remains of Christopher Columbus until 1898, when they were moved to Sevilla, Spain.

?4. Tour the El Capitolio (National Capitol Building)

?You will certainly notice the huge dome of the El Capitolio in your wanderings around Havana. It’s visible from almost anywhere in the city. The building, which was the seat of government until 1959, is modeled after the American Capitol building in Washington, DC. Go on a guided tour of the building and enjoy the beautiful marble floors and grand hallways, among other striking features.?

?5.?Pay your respects at the Cementerio de Cristobal Colon (Cemetery of Christopher Columbus)

?The 140-acre (56 hectares) Cementerio de Cristobal Colon is no ordinary cemetery. Established in 1876, it was named after Christopher Columbus and designed by Calixto Arellano de Loira y Cardoso, a native of the Galician area of Spain.?

?This fascinating feature of Havana city contains over 800,000 graves and 500 mausoleums. You can walk or bike in the cemetery for hours enjoying the beautifully molded tombs that are artworks in themselves.

?Many prominent Cubans are buried here. Sections of the cemetery are dedicated to prominent artists and poets; others are for musicians, politicians, and baseball players, among others. Ordinary citizens are also buried there, but away from the main thoroughfares.

?6. Visit the Museo de la Revolucion?

?The striking building that was once the Presidential Palace today hosts the Museo de la Revolucion. Here, you will get the captivating story, in Spanish and English, of the Cuban Revolution (1953 - 1959). You will get to know what led up to the revolution, the events of the revolution, and the aftermath.

?Memorabilia from the revolution is exhibited in the elegant, palatial rooms. However, on the second floor, the Capilla (a chapel) and the Salon Dorado, formerly used for banquets, remain exhibit-free.

?Outside the building is a replica of the?Granma, the yacht Fidel Castro and the other revolutionaries used to sail from Mexico to Cuba in December 1956.

Final thoughts

There’s a lot more to see and do in Havana, but the above should give you a start. You may want to get out of Havana for more sightseeing, hiking, mountain climbing, or even fishing on the rest of the island.

?