Top 5 Things To Do in Central Havana
By Ieva Staveckaite
Situated between Habana Vieja and Vedado, and bordered by the extensive Malecón, is Centro Habana. It is the city’s most densely populated area with 140,000 people occupying a tight 3 sq-km grid. But with such a high population density comes the advantage of an abundance of restaurants, bars, shops, clubs and important streets such as Zanja (which runs through to the China Town district). Exploring Central Havana can feel hectic at times, but it is a true window into the daily life of Cubans in the city. Expect crowds and clamour, enticing market stalls and irresistible deals from local vendors selling fresh produce right out on the roads!
1.EXPLORE CAPITOLIO NACIONAL
Capitolio Nacional, Havana’s most grandiose building carved of white Capellanía limestone and block granite, was constructed as a direct result of Cuba’s post-WW1 sugar boom. This boom essentially generated Cuba what seemed an endless bank of sugar money. The building of the impressive Capitolio cost US$17 million and began in 1926, taking 5000 workers and over three years to complete.
While the structure offers a strong resemblance to the Capitol Building in Washington D.C., the building was actually modelled on the Panthéon in Paris. Now the seat of Cuba’s national assembly, the Capitolio previously housed (from 1959-2013) the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the National Library of Science and Technology. Between 2013-2019, the building underwent an intense refurbishment project reopening in time for Havana’s 500th anniversary.
Guided tours costing CUC$10 leave every hour and the building itself is open from 10:30am daily. The Capitolio’s most striking inside features include the magnificent bronze statue, La República. Standing at 17.6m and weighing 30 tonnes, the statue of the Guardian of Virtue and Work is the third-largest indoor statue in the world! Not to mention it is covered entirely in gold-leaf. Inside, you can also tour the Chamber of Representatives, Tumba del Mambí Desconcido (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) as well as the grand hallways. Note that reaching the Capitolio’s entryway requires climbing a 55-step staircase.
View from the top of the entry steps at Capitolio Nacional
2. WALK THE MALECÓN
Scenic strolls, live musicians, ocean-view bars, colonial architecture and prime fishing spots- these are just a few of the things on offer along Havana’s sea wall.
The 8km Malecón, sometimes referred to as ‘the world’s longest sofa’, was laid out in early 1900s and has since transformed into a buzzing highway carrying streams of classic cars full of tourists searching for Havana’s best views. And that’s exactly what the Malecón has plenty of! There are many great photo opportunities along the coast but a visit in the evening, during sunset, is especially picturesque. Warm yellow and orange tones light up the facades of the dilapidated buildings creating a real air of romanticism.
On windy days it is common for monstrous white waves to crash over the wall. Often this results in the road being closed off to cars, meaning the brave can walk right down the empty thoroughfare being drenched in salty sea water in the process. For a more relaxing and dry way to enjoy the scenery head down to one of the numerous bars that line the Malecón, including those located within the hotels El Litoral, La Abadia and Nazdarovie, and enjoy a traditional Cuban cocktail or the fresh and sweet sugar cane drink Guarapo.
3. HOP ON A CLASSIC CAR TOUR
Beautiful, colourful, vintage convertibles in their masses- this is just one of the results of Cuba’s long-standing Communist government. The country’s inability to import new cars has allowed tourists to almost time travel to the 1950s.
Classic cars can take you anywhere you want to go in the city of Havana! Pre-planned tours typically cost CUC$40-50 per hour, but you can easily hail one down anywhere in the centre or find dozens of drivers parked and waiting outside tourist hot spots such as in front of Hotel Inglaterra at Parque Central.
Classic car tours are a comfortable and stylish way to get to know the layout of the city and catch a glimpse of famous monuments. You, of course, can ask your driver to stop if you wish to take photos. If you are looking to take a spontaneous tour be sure to try to negotiate with your driver on price!
4. STOP OFF AT PLAZA DE LA REVOLUTION
Cuba’s largest plaza, Plaza de la Revolution, is the base of Cuban government and where you will find the renowned and enormous steel mural of Che Guevara. The façade of the Ministerio del Interior boasts the iconic image (a copy of Alberto Korda’s 1960 photograph). Underneath the words read Hasta la Victoria Siempre- Always Toward Victory. In 2009, the adjacent telecommunications building gained a similarly designed mural of Cuba’s other revolutionary hero Camilo Cienfuegos.
The José Martí memorial, opposite the murals, stands at an impressive 138.5m, making it Havana’s tallest structure. The 17m marble statue of Martí is not the only wonder to behold. Inside the memorial is a museum, as well as a 129m lookout, offering magnificent views of the city for just CUC$2. The plaza is just a short drive from Centro Habana and is most commonly reached by classic car/taxi.
5. VISIT A CIGAR FACTORY
Real Fábricia de Tabacos Partagás, open Monday-Friday between 9 am- 2 pm, offers the only reliable cigar factory tour in all of Havana. The factory is one of the oldest and most famous in the city. It was founded in 1845 by Spaniard Jaime Partagás, and today rolls the cigars of many renowned brands such as Montecristo and Cohiba.
Tickets (CUC$10) must be purchased in advance in the lobby of Hotel Saratoga. The tour lasts around 45mins and takes you through the different stages of getting a cigar into market: the unbundling and sorting of the leaves, the rolling, pressing and boxing of the product. The factory also boasts a shop where you can purchase and try many different types of cigars.
