Things to do in Havana

The city really is a melting pot of cultural influences and this has helped to create a vibrant city with lots to do. Exciting music and food blend with a fascinating history to help create a memorable city.

Must-see Sights

The Museum of the Revolution offers a striking insight into this pivotal period of Cuba's history, allowing you to understand the city that surrounds you today. The Capitol Building dominates the skyline and now houses the Academy of Sciences, having been the seat of government until after the revolution. You must also visit one of the city's cigar factories that offer tours. These provide the chance to buy the finest Cuban cigars. The Havana Club rum factory also offers tours and has a museum with interesting exhibits.

For Shopaholics

Havana offers shoppers much more than rum and cigars. Almacenes de San Jose is the city's biggest craft market, located in an old warehouse by the harbour in the new town. It's a maze of stalls offering everything from leather to jewellery and art. Casa de la Musica, beside the nightclub of the same name, is the place to buy local music CDs and instruments. Habana 1791 Aromas Coloniales sells an extraordinary range of scents and La Maison is the place for fashion, with nightly fashion shows to help you choose. The unique shopping centre at the 18th century Palacio de la Artesania is a great place to pick up rum, tobacco and crafts.

For Foodies

To sample the cafe culture of Havana, take a walk along the Prado, an excellent street for pavement cafes. Street vendors, or Peso stalls, sell everything from ice cream to sandwiches, pizzas and full meals at affordable prices. The state-run restaurants of hotels have a reputation for ordinary food, but try out the new independently run paladares for some alluring local cuisine. La Guarida offers a Latin American menu and is probably the city's most famous paladar. Paladar Maeda focuses on Cuban food with some great seafood and El Cocinero