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All 104 Havana Attractions »

Old Square (Plaza Vieja)

La Habana Vieja, Havana, Cuba
Ranked #2 of 85 attractions in Havana
4.5 of 5 stars 299 Reviews
Type: Historic Sites, Landmarks/ Points of Interest
Owner description: What is now called the Old Square was originally Plaza Nueva (New Square), built as a popular alternative to Plaza de Armas, the military and...... more » Owner description: What is now called the Old Square was originally Plaza Nueva (New Square), built as a popular alternative to Plaza de Armas, the military and government nerve center. Later called Plaza del Mercado (Market Square) as Havana's commercial hub, Plaza Vieja was the site of executions, processions, bullfights, and fiestas -- all witnessed by Havana's wealthiest citizens, who looked on from their balconies. The original Carrara marble fountain surrounded by four dolphins was demolished in the 1930s when President Gerardo Machado (1871-1939) built an underground parking lot here. Today the square's surrounding structures vary wildly in condition, though all of them are noteworthy. « less
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299 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 24, 2012 NEW

One of the most beautiful squares in Havana, which has been remarkably restored ! A remarkable decision in restoration was to destroy the underground parking in the center of the square! More

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See 7 more reviews by Paul B for Havana
Adelaide
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 23, 2012 NEW

Plaza Vieja is beautiful. Service at the restaurants was generally poor, in fact, worst experienced in Cuba, however, it is still a great place to visit. Stick to the menu at the Factoria Cerveza (brewery) to avoid being ripped off for the 'special'. Great place to enjoy a beer though! More

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See 4 more reviews by cklfc0 for Havana
Tunis, Tunisia
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 20, 2012 NEW

in addition to the nice architecture, in plaza vieja you can have a very tasting beer in a local brewry. you can listen to music, danse salsa and enjoy a nice food and drink there while waching cuban music bands More

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See 2 more reviews by bassemonline for Havana
London
Senior Contributor
49 reviews 49 reviews
Reviews in 33 cities Reviews in 33 cities
27 helpful votes 27 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 20, 2012 NEW

360 degree view from top of 'Camera Obscura' on NW corner of square worth going up in lift (5 CUC I think) More

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Havana, Cuba
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2012

Old square or New Square as it was Known to the Havanians of the late 1500's was very run down on my first visits to Cuba but you could still see the grandeur and beauty of it's architecture. It is wonderful to see it restored and full of life again and yes it is a fun and entertaining but next... More

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See 3 more reviews by Armando R for Havana
Toronto, Canada
2 reviews
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2012

got to visit this square in Old Havana...there is a great spot serving delicious Cuban Coffee...ask for the coffee beginning with Bons-Bons... More

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costa rica
Top Contributor
64 reviews 64 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2012

This square is at the end of calle Mercaderas. It's a perfect end to a beautiful walk through historic old Havana. I highly recommend. More

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See 21 more reviews by jonesieinhavana for Havana
London, United Kingdom
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 15, 2012

Very cute part of Havana with nice cafes and bars! More

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See 5 more reviews by danusik2001 for Havana
Bristol, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 12, 2012

Don't get me wrong, this square has been beautifully restored and it's like wandering around a Tuscan hilltop town, it really is lovely and it's great to see the photographs of how it once looked and the amazing work they have done to get it to where it is today. But it did lack a certain something that some of... More

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See 3 more reviews by globalmouse for Havana
Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 12, 2012

The square has been restored to a better state than most of Old Havana. It is a good spot to sit, perhaps have a drink, and watch the world go by: although bear in mind that some of the cafés don’t open until noon. More

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See 6 more reviews by GlenC002 for Havana

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