Discover Havana: Old Town, culture and coast

In Havana, historic fortress architecture meets a wide range of cultural attractions and an extensive coastal area. The Old Town, museums and music offer a different focus from the beaches of Playas del Este. For planning your trip, one simple question can help: would you mainly like to experience colonial buildings and culture, or are you especially drawn to the sea?

Old Town and fortress architecture

Havana comprises 15 municipalities. Particularly notable areas include Playa, Plaza de la Revolución, Centro Habana, Habana del Este and La Habana Vieja; they offer numerous architectural, cultural and tourist attractions. La Habana Vieja has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, making it a distinctive starting point for exploring the region's historic architecture.

The Castillo de la Real Fuerza, whose construction began in 1558, is part of the fortification system of Old Havana. It is one of the oldest colonial fortresses in the Americas. Across the wider destination of Cuba, the defensive structures of Old Havana were built between the 16th and 19th centuries; the network includes some of the oldest and largest stone fortifications in the Americas still standing today.

In the Old Town, an intact ensemble of private houses sits among Baroque and Neoclassical buildings. Arcades, balconies, wrought-iron gates and courtyards shape its character; many houses visibly bear the marks of age. The variety of architectural features makes the ensemble a distinct architectural attraction alongside the major fortifications.

Museums, memorials and music

The José Martí Memorial is dedicated to the life and work of José Martí. It is located at the foot of the monument and has four halls; one of them hosts political and cultural activities. The collections of the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes offer a broader range of subjects, including painting, prints, sculpture, funerary art and decorative art.

Historic buildings also have museum connections. Following an extensive restoration at the end of the 20th century, the Museo San Salvador de La Punta was established in the Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta. La Cabaña houses a weapons museum and hosts cultural and recreational activities, including the Ceremonia del Cañonazo de las Nueve.

For a different cultural experience, Café Cantante Mi Habana, beneath the Teatro Nacional de Cuba, offers live salsa music and dancing. If you plan to visit this venue, check the current programme. This lets you tailor your choice of cultural events to your travel dates without assuming that an event will take place on a fixed date.

Playas del Este and other points of interest

The tourist beach area of Playas del Este stretches eastward and covers 20 kilometres, including Bacuranao, Tarará, Mégano, Santa María, Boca Ciega, Guanabo, La Veneciana and Brisas del Mar. The beaches are considered the best in the province. The coast therefore offers a clear contrast with the Old Town's enclosed ensembles of houses and historic fortifications.

In Playas del Este, Marina Tarará offers seven nautical stations in winter and three more in summer. Catamarans and kayaks are available to rent. One included service is for guests staying at the accommodation venues where the facilities are located. Check current operations before making plans; the figures given distinguish between the winter and summer offerings.

For a more precise geographical reference, Rincón de Guanabo is located in Ensenada de Sibarimar, in Guanabo, Habana del Este, Havana. The city's green belt also includes Parque Zoológico Nacional, Parque Lenin, Expocuba and Jardín Botánico Nacional. These locations and landscapes complement the Old Town and coast as key areas of interest.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Havana, use your preferred focus for the trip as your first guide: historic architecture and museums, cultural attractions, or time at the beaches. This can help clarify which aspects should be a priority when choosing where to stay.

Discover more destinations: Guantanamo, Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba, Sancti Spíritus, Holguín, Granma, Matanzas, Pinar Del Río.

For the wider travel overview: Cuba.