Travel to Havana

This city is as famous for its cabaret shows as for its revolutionary monuments. Discover 1930s glamour at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba and feel the 1950s-casino vibes at the Habana Riviera. And if you’re a gearhead, start searching holiday deals to Havana now. The city is a living museum of classic automobiles.

For cheap holidays to Havana, get ready to spend time enjoying the social hubs along Havana’s seawall. Set between crashing waves and grand old buildings, the Malecon attracts couples, street musicians and vendors selling fresh sugar cane juice, popcorn and peanuts. Join groups of locals at sunset to see why this esplanade is featured across Cuba’s art scene.

Pack your beach gear, and hop on a bus from Parque Central to soak up the Cuban sun. Playas del Este is a string of white-sand beaches dotted with palm trees. Snorkel the reefs just offshore at Playa Bacuranao, or ride the wind with kite surfers. Playa Santa Maria del Mar is the trendy spot to hire sunbeds and sip drinks at beachfront bars.

Spanish Colonial architecture and cobblestone plazas characterise the oldest part of the city. This is one of the best areas to stay in Havana for those who love history and art. You’ll see kids playing football in narrow lanes and washing hanging from the balconies of crumbling mansions. Visit Castillo de la Real Fuerza and the famous Cuban Art Factory when you’re not people-watching from restaurants in Plaza Vieja.

Good for: History, galleries, restaurants

Centrally located between Old Havana and Verdado, this is where to stay in Havana if you want to be away from the typical tourist track. Bargain hotels abound, and the street scenes are second to none. Wander past old men playing dominoes and vendors selling bread and fruit. At El Barrio Chino (Chinatown), you’ll find traditional restaurants and a temple.

Good for: Hotels, street food, Chinatown

The Cuban struggle for independence is celebrated in Plaza de la Revolucion, with monuments of Che Guevara and Jose Marti. The surrounding neighbourhood of Vedado was Havana’s 1950s nightlife hotspot. It still holds the crown for flamboyant cabaret shows and sunset drinks at iconic bars. Take a spooky stroll around the elaborate memorials at the Cristobal Colon Cemetery.

Good for: Monuments, dining, nightlife

There are countless things to do with family in Havana. A fun way to see the sights and get to the beaches is aboard the hop-on hop-off Habana Bus Tour. Eat churros and watch street performers in Old Havana’s plazas. Puppets and kids’ theatre shows await at El Arca Teatro Museo de Titeres.

If you love cigars and rum, shopping in Havana is for you. The city’s artisans stock galleries full of unique treasures, while street markets sell handmade jewellery. Find leather wallets and shoes at Obispo Street Craft Market. Can’t resist touristy trinkets such as Che Guevara magnets? Old Havana is your go-to area for souvenirs.

Set aside a good chunk of time to wander through galleries and museums in Havana. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes is home to ‘La Gitana Tropical’ by Victor Manuel, often referred to as Cuba’s ‘Mona Lisa’. The opulent rooms and visual archives on display at Museo de la Revolucion are as impressive as the former presidential palace they’re housed in.

Are you up for a basement salsa club or a rooftop bar for city views with Cuba libre cocktails? Nightlife in Havana centres around Vedado and Miramar, and you can stroll between venues in these neighbourhoods. Admire the Cuban National Ballet at Gran Teatro de la Habana Alicia Alonso, and have your own 1950s heyday at the Tropicana nightclub.

In a city of fascinating contrasts, Havana’s food scene doesn’t disappoint. Settle into welcoming, family-run ‘paladares’ for slow-cooked ‘ropa vieja’ (shredded beef). Trendy gastropubs serve Caribbean flavours and cosy cafes please with international favourites. Reservations are a must to dine at La Guarida amid decor from the movie ‘Strawberry and Chocolate’.

Keep your travel budget in check by including some of the free things to do in Havana. There’s no cost to visit museums including the Museo del Chocolate and Museo de Bomberos (Firefighters Museum). Capture epic views at the Estatua de Cristo park. Strolling along the lively Malecon doesn’t cost a thing and never gets old.