Havana has many classic luxury hotels with a grand reputation, and Hotel Nacional is one of them. As with any country, dont walk around with valuables on display or wearing expensive jewelry. The entrance is not very well-marked and easy to miss. Find out how many days do you need in Havana in this guide. It doesn't serve the best ice cream in the world but it is hugely popular with the locals who will wait in line for over an hour. Suggested Itineraries in Havana | Frommer's For more insight into the interaction between Cuban literature and the revolution, head a few blocks east to Museo Lezama Lima. Here is some more of our reading about this fascinating place. Metered taxis also wait outside. We spend hours just getting lost down small roads collecting all the street art. Stay until 9pm to watch the daily 'canonazo' (cannon ball fire). Located right next to the Capital building and theatre, Central Park is a nice place to relax in the shade after sightseeing in the sun. The Castillo (lighthouse and fort) is a great place to visit in the late afternoon, offering a nice spot from which to watch the sunset over the bay. Hopefully you will get the chance to return. The tour of the factory is only 45 minutes but its a fascinating insight into both the making of cigars and the communist economy. I love your description of the bruised facade. Although often undergoing restoration work inside, this is a beautiful building from the outside. Top things to see here include the huge building murals of freedom fighters Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos, the Jos Mart Memorial. Cuba is no stranger to music and dance, which is one of its biggest exports! Its one of the places I would love to visit, sooner rather than later. There are lots of restaurants to choose from in Old Havana. A Spanish-style architecture hotel that opened as the National Hotel of Cuba in 1930, Nacional overlooks the famous El Malecon promenade on Havanas seafront. So, we recommend booking accommodation in the northwestern section of the old town. Before we share the best things to do in Havana in one day, we thought itd be good to cover the preferred way to get around the city. If you don't mind paying a bit extra, tell the security guard that you will pay in CUC, find the correct line, and you can skip the main queue. Its a little loud, overpriced and touristic, but it still provides a cool experience when visiting Havana. Morro is the perfect place to visit at the end of your one day in Havana visit, before heading to dinner and seeing what the evening has to offer. A perfect mix of cultural and fun. Appearing much like The White House in Washington D.C, El Capitolio is one meter higher, wider and longer than its US counterpart. It really looks like they are stuck in another timezone. Flights arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional Jos Mart. Take a Classic Car Tour of the City. We spent a total of three days in Havana and while it was a very jam-packed itinerary, we got to see a lot of the city and even travel further afield. Hop in a taxi and make for the Necrpolis Cristbal Colon. Seats are perched on a balcony winding around a tiny bar outside. One of the benefits of booking online before you go is that your accommodation is already paid for up front, so you dont have to worry about converting lots of cash when you get there to pay for your accommodation. Tapas never tasted so good thanks to the old-school band entertaining patrons from the tiny lane outside. Ultimate Havana Itinerary: 3 Days in Havana; Ultimate Havana, Cuba Travel Guide; Casa Particular Cuba "Casas particulares" - plural for a "casa particular" - have long been where to stay in Havana Cuba, and their popularity continues to increase as more open across the city. No better way to spend your time int he city. Know how to get most out of 3 days in Havana with proper planning. I didnt smoke one but you have the opportunity to try it if you want. Sights & Landmarks. Even the colourful vintage cars that beguile tourists are born out of necessity. Today, its home to Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (Captains Generals Palace) and a grand stone statue of Carlos Manuel de Cspedes, the man who paved the way to Cuba independence in 1868. Admittedly, the outside is more impressive that its dark interior, but youll certainly want to see both. You are given a drinks card when you enter, which will be stamped for each drink that you buy. This itinerary has been designed specifically so you have enough time to see all of the best landmarks and historical sites. Viales is absolutely stunning. This is where you can see panoramic views of Havana from a 35m tower. (Hold on to your ticket to go to El Morro later on.). Ive been to many bars and clubs over the course of my travels but this is something quite special. Work by Salvador Dali was shown in 2014. After dinner, wash your meal down with a cocktail on the rooftop, where you can admire the views of the city. The Museo Nacional was excellent, highly recommend it next time you make it to Cuba. Head along to the government-owned 1830 salsa club for dinner and drinks and then learn how to dance as the Cubans do! Although it can get packed with tourists at certain times of the year, is one of my favorite parts of the city to explore. Buena Vista Social Night the famous home of legendary Cuban musicians. Theres nothing much to see here (except tourists) so take the obligatory photo of the huge mural of Che and jump back in the cab. Spend your sixth day in Cuba relaxing on the beach before heading back to Havana in the evening. Fusterlandia is located on the western edge of Havana and the 15-minute drive by taxi is well worth it. 2 Days in Havana Itinerary - Cubas Best Required fields are marked *. The food is very good too. home to the Havana Cathedral. With a tall bell tower and baroque-style architecture, it's one of the most memorable churches you'll see in the old town centre. A great place to pick up old Cuban art and poster prints. Its eye opening and will give you an insight into another aspect of Havana. Built in the 18th century it looks more like a fort than a church with its castellated exterior and austere interior. It really comes alive on an evening! 3 DAYS / HAVANA 2 DAYS / VIALES 3 DAYS / ZAPATA PENINSULA 1 DAY / CIENFUEGOS 2 DAYS / TRINIDAD 2 DAY / VARADERO START / To begin this 2-week Cuba itinerary, fly into Aeropuerto Internacional Jos Mart just outside Havana. Updates // We do our best to keep the information in this guide up to date, if you notice anything has changed, please leave a comment below. You are given a drinks card when you enter, which will be stamped for each drink that you buy. Strolling Havanas old town is the highlight of a trip to Cubas capital. The National Capital Building of Cuba is one of the countrys most iconic buildings. A helpful map with a suggested itinerary is provided on entry. Ultimate guide to Havana, Cuba Old Havana UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amble past more crumbling walls, revolution-supporting murals, old antique cars and locals selling whatever they have. Be sure to check out the following: Designed in 1559, Plaza Vieja is one of Havanas most memorable squares. Locals hang out here on a weekend and friends sit down for a catch up throughout the day. There was a lot of cat-calling from men in the street, which made me feel a bit uncomfortable. The most notable features are the Jos Mart Memorial statue, and two steel wall-mounted memorials depicting Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos. The vintage cars and old building do give it a unique feel. Vintage cars from bygone eras rumble down battered lanes. Built in the 16th century, St Francis of Asisi Church and Convent is one of Havanas prettiest buildings. Now it seems the tide is finally turning. Of course, you could book a tour online before you go, but its just as easy to rock up and choose one you like. Tours will usually take you around the city to some of the following spots: Our guide, David, was once a journalist but due to the censorship of the media in Cuba (journalists are prevented from being critical of the government), he decided to become a tour guide. Officially youre supposed to buy them from ETESCA offices (you must bring a passport) or hotels, but there are people selling them in the street. Youll soon get a feel for what is (and what isnt) acceptable methods of portraying the communist regime. Spend the afternoon exploring Vedado with its grander houses and a better standard of living. Its a beautiful square surrounded by magnificent colonial buildings. The square is a huge space to wander around on foot, taking pictures of the monuments and learning about the history of each site. Take time to wander around the square taking pictures of the beautiful buildings and stop by one of the many galleries if you have time. This is one of the busiest thorough-fares in Habana Vieja, linking many of Havana's squares. Heads up: some of the links on this site are affiliate links. Get your bearings and start your stay in Havana with a wander around Habana Vieja (Old Havana). A somewhat cloistered half-century has clouded American perceptions of Cuba. When you arrive at the airport you can change your Euros or Pounds to CUP at the money change facilities inside the airport. Order a Pina Colada the ones at Hotel Nacional are unrivaled! This museum is unmissable for anyone with an interest in Cuba's recent history. Cuba has two currencies: CUC (peso convertible) and CUP (peso). The square was the location of many communist rallies and where Fidel Castro would address the nation. Eat Ice Cream at Coppelia and Visit Yara. A morning at Varadero Beach can be one of those things. It has a plethora of monuments and statues outside, plus a decommissioned tank. Many of the key attractions are located in the centre of Havana, so you can walk around in a circular route and see them on foot. A visit to Cuba is like going back in time, almost like a living museum. Take time to fully discover the cathedral, but dont neglect the other corners of the square. Havana is a heady mix of sun, sea, history, and vibrant Caribbean culture. Day 1: Explore Old Havana, take a vintage car ride and try a mojito, Day 2: Playas del Este, La Guarida, Fabrica de Arte. For breakfast Id recommend visiting El Caf, which is an airy breakfast spot serving things like avocado toasts, healthy juices, milkshakes, sandwiches and eggs. For most of your 3 days in Havana, youll be exploring the atmospheric streets of the old town. ! Enjoy friendly service at Casas Tamara & Chen, where youll be treated like a long-lost family member and feel like a local in no time at all. The area is vast, colourful and unlike anything youve ever seen! We ate at El Chanchullero, which looks like a hole in the wall place with just a few wooden tables but its actually on the trendier side with writing on the ceiling and a nice rooftop. Weve been providing free travel content on Anywhere We Roam since 2017. How to use this map / Click on the top left of the map to display the list of locations, then click on the locations to display further information. I also enjoy home comforts and need a nice place to relax and re-charge after every trip. The first photograph in this article completely caught my attention. Situated just above the Havana tunnel that gives access to the city from the east, Morro is a key fortress that was built to defend the city against pirates and invaders in the 1500s. If youre looking to spend one full day exploring the iconic Cuban capital of Havana and want to see as much as possible, youve come to the right place. Let us know in the comments section below. It may be a little more if you head to the furthest reaches of Vedado from the old town). Take a bus here from Parque Central it takes roughly an hour. One Day in Havana Itinerary - Cubas Best The venue is open from Thursday through Sunday, so make sure to time your visit to Cuba with one of these days so you can experience this unique and incredible spot. One day is a popular amount of time to visit Havana if touring the city from the popular beach area of Varadero, or if arriving into the port on a cruise. Head inside this historic cathedral, a classic example of the Cuban Baroque style. The 15-minute 'tour' is given in both Spanish and English and the 'guide' will point out all of Havana's most famous landmarks. Ultimate Havana Itinerary: 3 Days in Havana, Cuba - Home to Havana This is one of the busiest thorough-fares in Habana Vieja, linking many of Havana's squares. After checking out the art I spent most of the night listening to a DJ playing in a big rave-style room at the back of the club. Bookings // Booking your trip via the links in this guide will earn us a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Afterwards, you will have a chance to visit artist Jose Fuster at his enchantingly creative home in Jaimanitas, just west of Havana. Streets have a much more rugged appearance and shops have completely empty shelves. 10 Day Cuba Itinerary - The Ultimate Guide [2023] - Jonny Melon Cuba travel tips for first time visitors Welcome to our complete Cuba travel tips guide, where we share our must-know information to know before you arrive. For the best atmosphere (although it can be slightly overwhelming) head along at the weekend. If you only have 3 Days in Havana, read my post to craft your perfect 3 day Havana Itinerary. Your email address will not be published. Built in the 16 th century, St Francis of Asisi Church and Convent is one of Havana's prettiest buildings. Either walk past the museum and take pictures of the grand architecture, or peer inside for a deeper understanding of Cuba. For dinner settle into Nao Bar. But it is worth it! Youve painted such a lovely picture of Havana in your introduction itself, anyone would be sold on it. Havana is a fascinating place. Afterwards we stopped for a Daiquiri in the Miramar neighborhood, which was home to affluent Cubans before the revolution, who lived in glamorous mansions and large houses. Then, pop into the Centro de Arte Contemporneo Wifredo Lam, a small gallery dedicated to one of Cubas most famous painters. Habana Vieja, internationally known as Old Havana, is the oldest and most mesmerizing part of the city, shaped by various influences since the city's foundation in 1519.Its cobblestone streets, impressive colonial buildings and the vivid atmosphere around them make it a perfect spot to start your one day in Havana adventure. It may look like harsh conditions but these are skilled workers in desired jobs which pay twice that of a doctor or three times that of a teacher. A must on your Cuba itinerary is a visit to the island's most famous ice cream parlor - Coppelia. 2023 Anywhere We Roam. Soviet, American, Spanish, Caribbean and African influences fuse together to create a fascinating place to visit.
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