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El Capitolio

El Capitolio, Havana: Address, Phone Number, El Capitolio Reviews: 4/5

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El Capitolio

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El Capitolio
4
2,881
#15 of 267 things to do in Havana
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Modeled after the U.S. Capitol, El Capitolo encompasses a planetarium and three museums.
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
2,881 reviews
Excellent
1,270
Very good
1,110
Average
422
Poor
50
Terrible
31
amy l
london86 contributions
Beautifully renovated
Feb 2020 • Solo
El Capitol at this time is nearly completed its renovation. Government rarely uses the building but when they do it will be closed to visitors so don't be surprised if you turn up and have to come back another day. Collect a timed ticket from booths at street level to the left of steps. If you need english you get a audio machine but stay with a guide who tells you which number to press. stick to guide like glue to avoid getting in trouble! also it's 45mins total.... time is limited. The architecture and designs are explained well and plenty of time for photos.
I'm told government will hope to move back in a years time... maybe there will be less opportunities to go inside once that happens? ! i suggest visiting when you can. it's very interesting.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jasmine38Chichester UK
Chichester, UK1,650 contributions
In
Jan 2020
Very interesting visit. Good way to learn more about the governance and history of Cuba. Quite a few rooms are open to the public. However, group sizes were enormous - about 100 in each of the Spanish and English speaking tours this Wednesday at 11am, despite the ticket office stating that group sizes would be no larger than 20. Although our guide was good, this did spoil the experience as it was difficult to see and here. At an entry fee of 10 CUC for 45 min tour it should be more controlled.
Written January 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Charlie1232015
St. Albans, UK126 contributions
Interesting and thought provoking visit
Feb 2020
Relatively expensive tour in comparison with other sites in Havana. Set tour times. Guides offer limited interaction and the tour is instructive but well controlled. Everyone is given headsets of the appropriate language as you are shown around the building. Would recommend as an interesting insight into Havana’s history.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Adele M
Milan, Italy101 contributions
Shame it was closed on Sunday and I missed it!
Jan 2020
Unfortunately I walked to the Capitolio for a visit on a Sunday afternoonb and didn't know it was its closing day. Some friends who visited the place told me it was just astonishing and definitely worth a visit for the "treasuries it keeps safely inside".
A good reason to be back and visit it through the week!
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Bidule05
France1,101 contributions
Isabelle (France)
May 2020
The Capitol is the most imposing of the buildings in Havana. This monument (now the Academy of Sciences), is emblematic of Havana.
It's striking to see how it looks like the Capitol in Washington in the United States!
Opposite the entrance to the Capitol, we saw very beautiful colorful colonial houses, which are typical of Old Havana. The district is very lively, with an incessant ballet of very beautiful colorful American cars, that are taxis! We took an old taxi with our excelelnt guide Elsa. It was a GREAT experience!!!
Written April 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nesligül D
Istanbul, Turkey6,114 contributions
Simply beautiful especially at night
Feb 2020 • Friends
El Capitolio, the symbol of Havana, was under renovation for quite a long time but even then the scaffolding was very well planned so as not to damage the beautiful silhouette of the building. Whether it was inspired by the Pantheon in Paris or Capitol in Washington D.C. is unimportant but it is said that it is 10 cm higher than the Capitol but not as wide. It was used as the parliament of Cuba before it was turned into a museum. There is a huge statue of a lady symbolizing America inside and also two others outside, one symbolizing Justice. The renovation is now completed and it is more beautiful than before, day and night. It is breathtaking at night when it is lit.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
drjlever
Los Angeles, CA202 contributions
The capitol building, newly restored, definitely worth the time it takes to tour it.
Jan 2020
This is a remarkable architectural feat--splendid materials and constructed in record time. It was a point of pride for the Cuban people. In a country so poor, one has to wonder whether the price of restoration is worth it, given the great need for food and fuel. But as a source of pride for the Cuban people, it has great merit. It's spectacular by any country's standards for their most prized public buildings. We had a private tour but tours are readily available and well worth a tourist's time.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
our56
Melbourne, Australia543 contributions
Impressive Building
Jun 2019
This was a central point in Havana, a large white building which looked like something from the large European cities like Rome, Paris and even Barcelona. It was the main place for government activity and definitely shows the connections this country has with Europe, the architectural design and visual look was definitely of European influence, it seems to be recently refreshed with bright coat of white paint or whitewash of some type over the existing building. It made for a great central location for which you could get directions from whenever you ask someone Where a place was they will tell you it's location in regards of distance from El Capitolio.
Written May 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Denes222
Gyor-Moson-Sopron County, Hungary687 contributions
Monumental place
Feb 2020 • Friends
You can take a look from outside any time however inside only dedicated hours daily with tour guides with different languages. Ticket is 10CUC, which you can buy by the kiosk on the left side of the huge stairs. Tour lasts 45 min, which provides all sorts of info. Worth a visit.
Written February 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ana L
Navan, Ireland2,701 contributions
Landmark
Jan 2020
One of the top places in Havana. Besides the beautiful architecture, you can have a tour inside (10€) and enjoy the renovated building. There are always old cars parked outside, so it is nice for great shots.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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