Havana walking tour & city guide

Old Havana, Centro and Vedado

Old Havana, or La Habana Vieja, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. It is built around four main squares: Plaza de Armas with its book stalls, Plaza de la Catedral facing the baroque cathedral, Plaza de San Francisco by the harbour and Plaza Vieja, ringed by restored colonial houses. Calle Obispo, a narrow pedestrian street, links the squares to Parque Central, the domed Capitolio and the Gran Teatro.

West of the old town, Centro Habana is dense and lively, with long streets of crumbling balconies and everyday shops. The Paseo del Prado, a tree-lined promenade, runs from Parque Central down to the Malecón, which then follows the sea for kilometres to Vedado, a calmer district of mansions, hotels and the vast Plaza de la Revolución.

A classic walk: Plaza de Armas to the Malecón

Start in the morning at Plaza de Armas, then walk to Plaza de la Catedral and on through the old streets to Plaza Vieja and Plaza de San Francisco. Turn back along Calle Obispo, the busiest street in the old town, to Parque Central and the Capitolio.

From Parque Central, stroll down the Paseo del Prado to the sea and join the Malecón in the late afternoon. Across the harbour mouth stands the Morro Castle, and as the sun sets, the seafront fills with fishermen, couples and musicians.

Good to know

November to April is the driest and most pleasant season; summers are hot and humid, and the hurricane season runs from June to November. Old Havana is best explored on foot, and classic-car taxis and bici-taxis are fun for longer rides. Bring cash, as cards are not always accepted, and expect limited internet access. Power cuts and shortages can affect daily life. Check current travel advice before you go.