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Old Havana
Points of Interest & LandmarksHistoric Walking Areas
About
Bohemian, rhythmically Latin, certainly picturesque and, above all, charming.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • Alex
    Miami Beach, Florida11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Real Havana is Old Havana
    Old Havana is a very picturesque city. We loved walking through its streets, it's like stepping back in time. There are different interesting museums like the Museum of Fine Arts. There are also small shopping where you can find souvenir. It's worth visiting!
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 8, 2023
  • MK16003
    Greater Manchester, United Kingdom71 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting city
    I stayed three days in Havana Vieja which was about right. There are lots of interesting buildings, some in bad repair but a lot of renovations are underway at the moment. As with any capital city, there are scammers but they will take a polite 'No' and move on. The open top tourist bus is a great option to get an overview of the whole Havana area. Plenty of reasonably priced bars and restaurants also.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written November 26, 2023
  • Ricardo R
    Mogi das Cruzes, SP1,876 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An old city like no other
    Therr are many old cities or casco viejos around the world, specially in spanish colonized countries but none lika Havana. The old buildings and decaying facades with old cars passing are images we can't see noehrre in the planet. This is what makes old Havana very singular.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written January 18, 2024
  • Phil H
    4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning Havana Cuba
    Stunning is the first word that comes to mind when I reflect on my time in Old Havana, it's just stunning. It's historical context, architecture, and the Cuban people make it something special and it's a must see when you go to Cuba, which I highly recommend. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and the minute you see it in person, you will understand why. Pack your bags and head to Havana Cuba!!
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written February 20, 2024
  • Josie C
    Brighton, United Kingdom582 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing
    Had an overnight here onboard cruise ship. We did the hop on bus tour for $10 per person which gave us an overview. We went to the main square late afternoon and had lovely drinks on rooftop Iberostar hotel. Lovely views, service and reasonably priced for such a grand hotel. Had a full day out in a classic car, went to Santa Maria beach then amazing lobster lunch at Don Pepe by the beach car park. $12 for whole lobster. In the restaurant there was a table magician, highly worth the few dollar tips and a father and son duo. Classic car brought us back to ship. Amazing time in Havanna.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 29, 2024
  • Cynthia M
    Winnipeg, Canada42 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful old Havan, lunch and Hemingway
    Full day tour from hotel to Havana. Takes time to pick up guests at other hotels. Beautiful old buildings. Old cars in like new condition? Amazing! Even modern old Havana is nice. Try and get away for the entire free time allowed. The guide takes you places to shop. Visit Hemingway’s suite and his favourite bar down the street (quite a ways.)There is a life sized statue of him people watching.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 5, 2024
  • TomWine
    St. Augustine, Florida121 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great food, rum, and people
    Just returned from a weeks stay in Havana and made several trips into Old Havana. Had a fantastic time. Did a self guided walking tour through the four squares, took a two hour tour in a ‘59 Chevrolet, did a street vendor tour, and had a cooking class and lunch on a rooftop in Old Havana. Lots of shopping, plenty of restaurants, good rum. I highly recommend spending time in Old Havana.
    Visited March 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 13, 2024
  • Stuart S
    Chevy Chase Village, Maryland101 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Interesting, attractive, fun, safe area
    Charming old city streets, forts, Lots of bars and restaurants many with live music, galleries with creative original art at bargain prices. Very safe to get around during day and felt safe at night especially if street wasn't deserted. Can easily navigate by foot or inexpensive pedicab. Area contains dozens of private pensiones. Many look shabby on the outside but are quite secure, comfy with A/C inside. Check carefully for museum schedules. Some are closed Sunday. Others are closes Monday.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written April 14, 2024
  • Dennis F
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Havana Cuba city tour
    What incredible introduction to Cuba! We had a fantastic day touring around Havana with Liber. It started with a drive around Havana with the owner of an old 1960 convertible Chevy. We drove through the different districts of Havana with Liber pointing out all the interesting buildings while explaining the history of the areas and of Cuba in general. After the drive, we walked around old Havana. Liber once again discussed the history of the area, the architecture and the people, while also explaining the current. He provided numerous helpful recommendations on where to go and how to get the most out of our visit. It was a fantastic day with an incredibly knowledgeable guide in an incredible city. We would highly recommend you use Liber as your city guide! You can contact Liber on What’sApp at 53 5 2683005.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 7, 2024
  • ToujoursLaRoute
    Paris, France1,253 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    It could have been the most beautiful city in the world
    Absolutely must do! You can feel and see that the town is degrading continuously, but you can also have a glimpse of what all that old and majestic buildings would look if refurbished. Very safe to walk through, even late at night. Plenty of restaurants to choose from, plenty of places to see. At least to do once on a lifetime.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 13, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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944michelem
Port Hawkesbury, Canada232 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
Just back from spending 7 days in Havana and 3 days would have been plenty. The car tour was great and $30, some charged $60! Did the hop on hop off bus tour and it was great but we couldn’t hear the guide through the sound system above. The architecture is lovely but crumbling and work is ongoing to restore some areas. Wifi is difficult to find except in one area, And the wifi cards are $1 for 1 hour, purchase at hotels because some may charge you $3. We stayed in a very nice Casa on Factoria street that was very central and all brand new. Good food is difficult to find but the sandwiches and pizza at Cubanita were delish and between $2-$4, Cafe 500 is also new and their menu was great, I recommend them! Taxis have no set fees for tourists so be sure to haggle before you get in the car! Tourists are overcharged blatantly and can be harassed quite a bit! If anyone offers to lead you to a restaurant, show you a statue or take a picture for you then they expect to get paid for it. We were approached by many to help buy milk for their babies, don’t do it!!
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gen & Dany
Padua, Italy14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples

we were hosted at Eldix's house in Havana and we can confirm that it was a wonderful experience. 
The house is located in the center of Havana Veja close to all places of cultural interest and entertainment.

If you want to feel immersed in the true Cuban atmosphere, Eldix's house is the right place!!!

The owner was very helpful in planning and coordinating the  stays at the places we decided to visit by booking collective taxis for us and recommending the best options for getting around and eating in typical Cuban restaurants. 

The breakfast is based on fresh fruit, however substantial.
The Bathroon shared with the owner is very clean as the bedroom that, although very simple, is comfortable and equipped with condtioner.

We highly recommend this place ... Eldix Jones has showed competence, discretion and attentive to customer needs!!!!

Dany and Gen
Padua (italy)

Find eldix to:

Eldix Jones@eldixj2020
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aunt_Tray
Phoenixville, PA250 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Friends
I recommend taking a tour of Old Havana so that you can have a local guide you through the historic streets. There is so much to see and you may end up just wandering without a guide. I would also suggest going during the day and at night because the atmosphere is different.

The buildings, people, cars, monuments, bars, music, etc. are all part of the unique experience you will have in Old Havana.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

matty l
Oro-Medonte, Canada14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
On Feb 24th, I spent a day in old Havana. Take the day trip with an English (or French, if appropriate) tour guide.... the guide adds value to your trip. You can book the trip through your travel group (about 60/65 CUC). A trip to Havana is a trip back in history. Spanish culture is everywhere .... most of old Havana's architecture is pre-19th century (with some structures going back to the late 1400s), something you don't see in North American cities. Add to this the revolution of the late 1950s and the impact it had on the country ...... and potentially globally (you may need to talk to someone over 60 to understand this statement).

If you're a buff for classic cars, they are everywhere yet the auto year series ends abruptly in 1960 .. why? (ask your grandfather).

A visit to Havana is quite interesting! Havana is a vibrant city full of life and culture
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Adele M
Milan, Italy106 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
I walked all the way the old city and the touristic side and needless to say it was fun, Noone ever bothers you or annoys you with any sort of request. People are alive and just enjoy music the simple way one can enjoy it. Cubans wish to make you understand that life is too short not to enjoy it! Have fun and dance!!
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alan W
Ware, UK58 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Reasonably easy to find your way around as the roads are mainly on a grid pattern, I wouldn't bother with the museum of the revolution unless you want to spend an hour or so looking at photographs of Fidel and Che, one or two outside exhibits but nothing too exciting.
The old cars which are everywhere are worth looking at, some real stunning ones but also plenty of tatty ones.
Beware of people who are too friendly and try to engage you in conversation, they only want money from you. I'm glad to have seen it but enjoyed the smaller towns more.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Betula103
Australia7,855 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
This is the most interesting part of Havana. You can wander around for hours seeing nicely restored buildings, buildings desperately awaiting repairs, little shops, bars, restaurants, plazas, narrow streets and museums. Admire the multitude of classic pre 1960 American cars which Cubans ingeniously manage to keep running. I actually rode in a 1957 Buick and a 1952 Chevrolet both of which had their original engines. I was also in a 1957 Oldsmobile which now has a British diesel motor!
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jst
3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020 • Couples
Firstly we got greeted with a warm welcome on the door but once we was in it was like we was invisible. Staff continuously walked past us not making any eye contact. In the end we had to ask the door staff to get somebody to serve us which then took another 10 minutes for a waitress to come to us. Exactly the same when asking for the bill!!! Staff was more interested about entertaining themselves and dancing behind the bar.
Written September 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Berenice B
104 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Walking amongst colonial houses which one day were grand but nowadays are in dire need of renovation or even derelict in many cases. Narrow streets which give an insight of the true Havana. Plazas to enjoy a mojito but unfortunately many tourist traps too! Food & drink prices are not cheap in Old Havana. In my week's stay in this area, not once did I feel unsafe. Cubans are very friendly people always willing to help a tourist.
The walking tour (strawberry tours, 2 1/2 hrs approx) of the old town is interesting & the classic car tour (30 CUCs 1 hr) is a must.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RyleyNS
Ottawa, Canada119 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
We booked a day trip to Havana from our resort in Varadero through Sunwing. It was supposed to be a historical tour and I looked forward to learning more about the history of Cuba. The visit to Earnest Hemmingway’s house was really cool but other than that there was not much historical about it. It was nice to see the architecture of old Havana but it was quite dirty and there were a lot of people asking for money. The tour guide said he would take us to cigar shops well he took everyone to one and it was sketchy. You couldn’t by a box of cigars, only singles or there was a bag with 6 different ones in it that he was really pushing as the “best deal”. That translated to me that he got a better kick back from it. We didn’t trust they were real so we didn’t buy anything there. For cigars, buy from the airport. It was the best deal and they are sealed so you know they are real. We did get a ride in the old cars which was pretty cool as well. The day ended a fort for an evening ceremony where they fired a cannon. We were dropped off here and the tour guide didn't explain anything about the fort. We just stood around and waited for the canon ceremony.. It was a very long day, 7:45 AM pick up and a midnight return and not at all worth the time or money you will spend on it.
Written March 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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