What are the best things to do in Havana?
Top picks in Havana include Old Havana (Habana Vieja) plazas, Malecon waterfront, El Capitolio, Plaza de la Revolucion. See the full list and itinerary on this Havana travel guide.
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Havana Travel Guide
Things to do in Havana — Explore Havana
Photo: RenaatPeeters · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Havana
thumb|400px|The Catedral de San Cristobal, La Habana Vieja (Old Havana). Before the Communist revolution, Havana was one of the vacation hot-spots of the Caribbean, and since Cuba reopened to tourism in the 1990s, it has become a popular destination once again, albeit with many fewer U.S. citizens, due to an almost total ban on travel maintained by the U.S. federal government. However, there will be lots of tourists at any time of year, so expect huge crowds and long lines in (Source: Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA.)
Havana is a stop in Cuba, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Old Havana (Habana Vieja) plazas, Malecon waterfront, El Capitolio instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 50–130 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures
Weather
Diverse — temperate to subtropical
Experiences
Things to do in Havana
1
Old Havana (Habana Vieja) plazas
2
Malecon waterfront
3
El Capitolio
4
Plaza de la Revolucion
5
Museum of the Revolution
6
Classic convertible city tour
7
Fusterlandia
8
Partagas Cigar Factory area
Budget travel
Free things to do in Havana
Old Havana (Habana Vieja) plazas
Malecon waterfront
Plaza de la Revolucion
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Havana itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Museum of the Revolution
- Visit Havana Club Rum Museum
- Visit Plaza de la Revolución
- Eat at Coppelia Ice Cream parlour
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Lennon Park
- Visit Go to the eastern beaches
- Eat at Chan Li Po
Prefer a full 14-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Havana itinerary guide.
Budget
Havana trip cost
Budget
USD 25–45
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 50–130
per person / day
Luxury
USD 150–245+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Havana, Cuba. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Havana
Estimated total (USD)
$2,145
≈ $1,073 per person · $306 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $90/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Havana mid-range ground costs (budget 25–45 · mid 50–130 · luxury 150–245+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Coppelia Ice Cream parlour
Practically a Cuban institution with people waiting up to an hour to get a seat.
Chan Li Po
The restaurant is upstairs, fully air-conditioned, looks immaculate. Despite being a Chinese restaurant, they serve European dishes too. Fri
Hanoi
Old fashioned restaurant, with live music and no A/C. They even serve traditional Cuban food, such as black beans with rice.
El Aljibe
In the Havana suburb of Miramar, El Aljibe is the definitive proof that food in Cuba needn't be bland. Try the house specialty, chicken in s
- $
La Casa
This stylish restaurant, in Nuevo Vedado, is a large California-style house typical of the 1950s. The dining room and garden are inviting an
- $
Paladar La Tasquita
Located near San Lazaro, this Paladar (small, family-run, privately-owned restaurant) serves typical criolla food. You will be dining in the
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $
Casa Ana & Surama
Clean house in colonial style, like you are time travelling, see the pictures on website of our casa.
- $
Casa "Todo de Aitana"
Full apartment for 1-3 guest. The apartment is very nice, quiet and clean, with views to the sea and sunsets. 1 bedroom, bathroom, kitchen,
- $
Ana y Chuchi
Very central place with a great host who gets out of her way to make people comfortable. Three rooms of different sizes. Small windows overl
- $
Casa Mabel
A very friendly family home. 2 comfortable rooms with balcony and great view for rent.
Jorge Leon de la Hoz
A very friendly family home, close to the Universidad de la Habana. Room rates are negotiable depending upon the length of stay.
Nightlife
- La Bodeguita del Medio
- El Floridita Bar
- Los Buccaneros Hanoi
- Factoría Plaza Vieja
Museums & culture
- Museum of the Revolution
- Havana Club Rum Museum
In pictures
Havana gallery
Photos: RenaatPeeters, Nigel Pacquette, Gorupdebesanez, Scmresearcher, Bruno Rijsman — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Havana travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Havana?
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
How many days do I need in Havana?
Plan at least 2 days in Havana for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Havana?
Popular stays in Havana include Casa Ana & Surama, Casa "Todo de Aitana", Ana y Chuchi. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Havana cost?
On the ground in Havana (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 25–45 per person per day, mid-range about 50–130, and luxury about 150–245+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Havana, Cuba. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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