El Malecon
Points of Interest & LandmarksHistoric Walking Areas
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  • Bruno A
    Mexico City, Mexico24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A different beauty!!
    The beauty of Havana is everywhere, from its people, the view of the sea and the structures of the old buildings and houses. But it must be mentioned that, as in any country, it has its cons, such as knowing that from the moment you arrive you have no communication unless you buy a chip and you cannot expect such good transportation since it is expensive and the food is not good in all places. I recommend that before you go, you thoroughly investigate the places you will visit, transportation costs and buying them in your hometown and carefully verify the exchange rate to Cuban pesos since it is not the same everywhere!! It is worth mentioning that not everything is beautiful but that is why it is important to do your research before traveling.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 29, 2024
  • 4foolsofwonder
    Carlsbad, California179 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Saw where Fast & Furious 8 was filmed!
    Our local guide, Jay showed us exactly where Vin's car went over the wall. In fact, he was there during the filming because the studio paid locals with vintage cars to be in the scene. The Malecon was not that busy while we were there but it's an iconic view of Havana. After walking along it for a while, we hopped into a vintage car and Jay took us on a fun, informative Walking Tour of Old Havana as well as a special Cigar Tour near the fortress. He was the perfect English-speaking guide for a family with teenage boys. Highly recommend reaching out to Jay through WhatsApp +53 5 2647935. He plans custom tours in Havana and for all activities anywhere in Cuba you want to go - he will save you a lot of time and money.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 9, 2024
  • Patrick
    Lienz, Austria46 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Perfect!
    Whether you're taking a walk or just sitting somewhere along the streets and enjoying yourself, El Malecon is fantastic! Street musicians everywhere who just spread good cheer! Good vibes only! A must on every trip to Havana!
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 10, 2024
  • Екатерина
    Moscow, Russia17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    El paseo
    Every time I go to Cuba, I try to find time to walk along the Malecón Quay. This is the kind of place where you can just sit and enjoy the sea breeze, meet friends (because many meetings are set up there) or just observe the variety of activities. For example, in the morning someone fishes or goes for a run, and in the evening performs artists (like Old Arbat in terms of color and live music). Also Malekon is the favorite spot of all couples. No doubt, because there are such romantic views from there. So I think every Traveler coming to Havana should take a walk in Malekon.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written October 6, 2024
  • Manuel Alberto C
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Cuba the magic of love in the air
    Directly Havana as a capital has a magic that I have only seen in Cuba. That tranquility of walking the streets at any time of day or night without any fear is great. I will always emphasize that I would have liked to know the not so central municipalities or that they were on the tourist tours that make you in the hotel packages. Very grateful to Cuba and its people, I look forward to returning next year
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written December 18, 2024
  • Paul Sandmann
    Berlin, Germany179 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Meeting the locals
    Come here after dancing in casa de la musica to cool off and meet some locals. At night time the Malecon is buzzing with people from Habana sipping rum, talking and having a good time. You meet former boxers, musicians and many other interesting people with everyone having a story to tell. Enjoy
    Visited December 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 25, 2024
  • luznatalia_villa
    Guadalajara, Mexico165 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The seawall breezes.
    A very simple seawall, it is quite spacious, nice to walk by the sea and watch the classic cars go by. I just don't recommend going in the middle of the afternoon, when there's a lot of sunshine, since there's no shade... The interesting thing is that you get a breeze and it cools you down for a while. I just don't understand why they didn't put any palm trees in that area for shade and more landscaping, and it's pretty dark at night, so be careful. If you are a tourist there are usually many people annoying you wanting to sell a tour or something and trying to chase you.
    Visited January 2025
    Traveled with friends
    Written January 31, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Jesus Betancourt
Havana, Cuba18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Friends
The Malecon in Havana is like the heart and soul of the city. It's a wide promenade right by the sea, and it's where Cubans love to gather. The reason is simple: it's a place where you can take in stunning views of the ocean and the city skyline, especially during sunset. It's like soaking up the spirit of Havana right by the water.

Why visit? Well, being close to the sea has a special kind of magic. There's a breeze, the sound of the waves, and a sense of freedom. It's where you'll see Cubans of all ages, from kids flying kites to couples sharing a romantic moment. So, if you want to experience the real Havana and feel its vibrant energy, the Malecón is the place to be.
Written October 31, 2023
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.

Paul Sandmann
Berlin, Germany179 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Solo
At day I ran into a trumpet player playing the godfather theme and later met a homeless person who told me that he was a Olympic boxer when he was young.
At night the Malecon is buzzing with people of all ages having a drink, talking, laughing and just having a good time. Like the waves washing against it, we often ended up here after having danced the night away in the casa de la musica nearby.
Written January 3, 2024
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.

Maria N.
Moscow, Russia15,800 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
They came to the embankment in different years, even under Fidel, then without him. What changed? They renovated the pavement, corrected the parameters here and there, otherwise the embankment was completely torn down. Local youth come out here in the evenings, but what else can they do if there is no money? It's better here. The view of the sea here is wonderful, and a walk along the endlessly long embankment is very pleasant and useful. Hopefully next time something positive will happen to the collapsing buildings while they are propped up with beams. The view, to be honest, is so-so.
Google
Written January 22, 2024
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.

Lucas Megale
Pouso Alegre, MG342 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
It has the most beautiful sunset we saw in Cuba. Following it, after the national hotel, it is possible to see the sun set into the sea and take beautiful photos in the late afternoon. It's a good place to walk, close to important buildings and monuments and lots of people on the street.
Google
Written October 30, 2023
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.

Shantele72
Chester, UK808 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
The malecon is a promenade that runs along the sea wall, and some bits are lovely, others in a real state. As we were staying in Vedado we started the walk to the Old Havana from there, however that part is quite damaged, the floor is difficult to walk on and there are holes and rubble all over the place. Also its a hot spot for jineteros (hustlers) who will follow tourists working in groups all along the malecon. So be careful.

It was a great opportunity to see many parts of Havana, some great little bars along the way and the castle area is lovely. I've seen pictures of the malecon in its hey day and it would have been amazing. As it is parts still are and others are very run down. I did however see the most amazing sculpture of our trip there, a giant woman's head which was just phenomenal.
Written March 13, 2023
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.

Armando G
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021 • Couples
The Malecon of Havana City is probably one of the most beautiful promenades of the world. It's truth that couples, friends and cuban families are used to hang around this long avenue which overlooks the sea. It's romantic for lovers and it's a place for artists and musicians who smell the cuban history.
Malecon is included both in Vedado, Center Havana and Old Town. From one tunnel to other.
The best part is along Vedado where nice hotels and casas particulares such as Penthouse 21 & M, Casa Betty et Armando Gutierrez, are excellent options.
Nice restaurants are also near Malecon, some of them with direct view on the sea.
A place for a nice promenade to breath fresh air and think deeply about life.
Best time to go: after 7.00pm
Written December 29, 2021
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.

our56
Melbourne, Australia513 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019
This is the most iconic part of Cuba where all the cars can be seen driving up and down this road which runs along the outside of old Havana. The place we were staying at was on a street that came off El Malecon, so every day we found our way down there at some point whether just to go for a walk, for a coffee or a snack, or go to one of the hotels selling Wi-Fi access and connection to the local network. Many days we would just sit there on the stone wall along the waterway taking photos or video. Sometimes just watching the cars and people go by. From this location you also get a full view of the buildings and the Vista that most people would see in magazines or on TV showing the face Havana. it is impossible to not be taken by what you see along this road, it serves as a great visual impression that will last with you forever. The late afternoon is when most people , locals and tourist come out to walk along the wall and see the sunset.
Written May 22, 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.

Jasmine38Chichester UK
Chichester, UK1,979 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Most visitors take a classic car trip along the malecon, however, I would recommend walking at least part of it. Its a great way to observe local life, especially in the early evening. A good route is from Old Havana to the Hotel Nacional or vice versa, where you can enjoy a cocktail or two at this famous hotel. A taxi one way should cost no more that 10 CUC and the walk there or back is around 3 miles.
Written January 30, 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.

Coco!
Gilford, NH704 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Walk for miles and be safe. Enjoy the view of Havana as you walk. Locals come out at night and play music and relax along the entire way. Buy local soda or peanuts from locals. Good immersion into local culture.
Written January 22, 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.

Pablo
Toronto, Canada227 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
I used to go to the Malecon on a daily basis as my hotel called Panorama was about ten minutes from there. The Malecon consists of a gathering area of Cubans enjoying their nightlife at little cost. Often along the Malecon there was diving into the ocean, dancing, partying and drinking. Do not go there with lots of money, gold chains, etc as some areas. could be dangerous for a tourist. .
Written June 19, 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.

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El Malecon - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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