Yes, the classic cars are gorgeous. Yes, you should ride in one along the Malecón at sunset. But if the vintage Chevys are your only reason for Havana, you'll miss most of the city. It's layered, artistic and emotional, and it rewards slow walks.
What is there to do in Havana beyond the classic cars? Walk Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, then spend your evenings on the city's art, music and cocktails. Have a mojito where it was born, catch Sunday rumba at Callejón de Hamel, and give a night to Fábrica de Arte Cubano in Vedado.
Key facts
- Best months: November to April, the drier season.
- Getting there: Havana's José Martí International Airport (HAV). Americans need one of 12 OFAC travel categories and a tourist card, explained in my Cuba travel tips for Americans.
- Where to stay: Vedado, for nightlife and art. We stay at the Voya Boutique Hotel there.
- Our trip: the Cuba Experience, with an Old Havana walking tour, a sunset classic car ride and a day in Viñales.
The Architecture Tells the Story
Old Havana and its fortifications have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Some streets are beautifully restored, others are crumbling, and often both sit on the same block.
Photo: Daniel Seßler / Unsplash
Havana Neighborhood Guide
| Neighborhood | Feel | Must-See | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habana Vieja | Colonial, partly restored | Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Catedral | History, walking tours |
| Centro Habana | Raw, lived-in | Malecón, Capitolio | Street photography, local life |
| Vedado | Modernist, leafy | Hotel Nacional, Fábrica de Arte Cubano | Nightlife, art |
| Miramar | Diplomatic, quiet | Quinta Avenida | Paladar dinners, calm |
| Guanabacoa and Regla | Afro-Cuban spiritual heart | Religious houses, bay views | Cultural depth |
Guanabacoa is where our Afro-Cuban day takes place. My Cuba guide for Black travelers tells you more about it.
Where the Classic Cocktails Were Born
The mojito, the daiquiri and the Cuba Libre all trace back to Cuba, and drinking them in Havana with Cuban rum is a small joy worth making time for.
Photo: Florian Wehde / Unsplash
A Classic Havana Cocktail Crawl
| Bar | Signature Drink | The Story |
|---|---|---|
| La Bodeguita del Medio | Mojito | Tied to Hemingway by legend, packed and famous |
| El Floridita | Daiquiri | Hemingway's regular bar, with live music |
| Hotel Nacional terrace bar | Mojito or Cuba Libre | Gardens and sea views from a 1930 landmark |
The Art Scene
Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) lives in a former cooking-oil factory in Vedado, and TIME put it on its World's Greatest Places list in 2019. On a good night you'll find a gallery, live music, a film and a dance floor under one roof. On our trip, one evening is dinner and VIP entry at one of Havana's best-loved art and music clubs.
Photo: Diego Gennaro / Unsplash
Also worth your evening: the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, Sunday rumba at Callejón de Hamel, and Fusterlandia, the neighborhood the artist José Fuster covered in mosaic. Opening days and prices shift often in Havana, so ask your guide or hotel before you go.
Havana is the heart of our Cuba Experience. If you'd like to add a few colonial days afterward, read about Trinidad, Cuba. Plan your Havana days.
Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Destination Guide