Havana itinerary: 1 to 6 days
Plans for one to six days in Havana, day by day: Old Havana with Plaza Vieja, the Real Fuerza fortress and the cathedral first, then El Capitolio, the Prado and the harbour castles of El Morro and La Cabaña, and the Malecón, Vedado and Plaza de la Revolución as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Havana in 1 day
Day 1
Plaza Vieja, Havana
Restored 16th-century square with colourful colonial buildings, a microbrewery and the camera obscura.
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
The oldest stone fort in the Americas, from 1577, now a maritime museum with a model galleon.
Havana Cathedral
18th-century Baroque cathedral with a curving coral-stone facade and asymmetric towers.
Havana in 2 days
Day 1
El Capitolio
1929 domed capitol, now seat of the National Assembly, with guided visits of its grand halls.
Floridita
Historic 1817 bar known for the daiquiri and as Hemingway's haunt, with a bronze statue of him at the bar.
Havana Cathedral
18th-century Baroque cathedral with a curving coral-stone facade and asymmetric towers.
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
The oldest stone fort in the Americas, from 1577, now a maritime museum with a model galleon.
Plaza Vieja, Havana
Restored 16th-century square with colourful colonial buildings, a microbrewery and the camera obscura.
Day 2
Colon Cemetery, Havana
Vast 1876 cemetery in Vedado with grand marble tombs and chapels, a top sight for sculpture lovers.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana
National fine arts museum, split between Cuban art and an international collection in two buildings.
Castillo San Salvador de la Punta
16th-century fort at the harbour mouth facing El Morro, at the start of the Malecón.
Morro Castle
Fortress of 1589 guarding the harbour entrance, with a lighthouse and wide views of the city.
La Cabaña
Huge 18th-century fortress across the harbour with museums and the nightly cannon-firing ceremony.
Havana in 3 days
Day 1
Plaza Vieja, Havana
Restored 16th-century square with colourful colonial buildings, a microbrewery and the camera obscura.
Hotel Ambos Mundos
Historic Old Havana hotel where Hemingway lived in room 511, with a rooftop bar.
La Cabaña
Huge 18th-century fortress across the harbour with museums and the nightly cannon-firing ceremony.
Havana Cathedral
18th-century Baroque cathedral with a curving coral-stone facade and asymmetric towers.
Bodeguita del medio
Small bar-restaurant with graffiti-covered walls, said to be the home of the mojito.
Day 2
Colon Cemetery, Havana
Vast 1876 cemetery in Vedado with grand marble tombs and chapels, a top sight for sculpture lovers.
El Capitolio
1929 domed capitol, now seat of the National Assembly, with guided visits of its grand halls.
Gran Teatro de La Habana
Ornate neo-Baroque theatre on the Prado, home of the Cuban National Ballet; guided tours run by day.
Paseo del Prado, Havana
Tree-lined promenade with marble benches and bronze lions between Old and Central Havana.
Floridita
Historic 1817 bar known for the daiquiri and as Hemingway's haunt, with a bronze statue of him at the bar.
Day 3
El Templete
Small neoclassical temple of 1828 marking the city's founding site, beside a ceiba tree.
Castillo San Salvador de la Punta
16th-century fort at the harbour mouth facing El Morro, at the start of the Malecón.
Morro Castle
Fortress of 1589 guarding the harbour entrance, with a lighthouse and wide views of the city.
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
The oldest stone fort in the Americas, from 1577, now a maritime museum with a model galleon.
Havana in 4 days
Day 1
Plaza Vieja, Havana
Restored 16th-century square with colourful colonial buildings, a microbrewery and the camera obscura.
Hotel Ambos Mundos
Historic Old Havana hotel where Hemingway lived in room 511, with a rooftop bar.
El Templete
Small neoclassical temple of 1828 marking the city's founding site, beside a ceiba tree.
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
The oldest stone fort in the Americas, from 1577, now a maritime museum with a model galleon.
Bodeguita del medio
Small bar-restaurant with graffiti-covered walls, said to be the home of the mojito.
Day 2
Colon Cemetery, Havana
Vast 1876 cemetery in Vedado with grand marble tombs and chapels, a top sight for sculpture lovers.
El Capitolio
1929 domed capitol, now seat of the National Assembly, with guided visits of its grand halls.
Gran Teatro de La Habana
Ornate neo-Baroque theatre on the Prado, home of the Cuban National Ballet; guided tours run by day.
Paseo del Prado, Havana
Tree-lined promenade with marble benches and bronze lions between Old and Central Havana.
Floridita
Historic 1817 bar known for the daiquiri and as Hemingway's haunt, with a bronze statue of him at the bar.
Day 3
Havana Cathedral
18th-century Baroque cathedral with a curving coral-stone facade and asymmetric towers.
Castillo San Salvador de la Punta
16th-century fort at the harbour mouth facing El Morro, at the start of the Malecón.
Morro Castle
Fortress of 1589 guarding the harbour entrance, with a lighthouse and wide views of the city.
La Cabaña
Huge 18th-century fortress across the harbour with museums and the nightly cannon-firing ceremony.
Day 4
Museum of the Revolution
Museum of the Cuban Revolution in the former Presidential Palace, with the Granma yacht memorial behind it.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana
National fine arts museum, split between Cuban art and an international collection in two buildings.
José Martí Memorial
109-metre star-shaped tower and museum honouring José Martí, with a lift to a city viewpoint.
Callejón de Hamel
Short alley covered in colourful murals and sculptures celebrating Afro-Cuban culture, with rumba music sessions on Sunday afternoons.
Malecón, Havana
8 km seawall promenade along the coast, a favourite place to watch sunsets and the waves.
Hotel Nacional de Cuba
A grand 1930 hotel above the Malecón, with gardens, sea views and a history of famous guests.
Fábrica de Arte Cubano
Former cooking oil factory turned arts venue, combining galleries, live music, film and a club in the evenings.
Havana in 5 days
Day 1
Plaza Vieja, Havana
Restored 16th-century square with colourful colonial buildings, a microbrewery and the camera obscura.
Hotel Ambos Mundos
Historic Old Havana hotel where Hemingway lived in room 511, with a rooftop bar.
El Templete
Small neoclassical temple of 1828 marking the city's founding site, beside a ceiba tree.
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
The oldest stone fort in the Americas, from 1577, now a maritime museum with a model galleon.
Bodeguita del medio
Small bar-restaurant with graffiti-covered walls, said to be the home of the mojito.
Day 2
Colon Cemetery, Havana
Vast 1876 cemetery in Vedado with grand marble tombs and chapels, a top sight for sculpture lovers.
El Capitolio
1929 domed capitol, now seat of the National Assembly, with guided visits of its grand halls.
Gran Teatro de La Habana
Ornate neo-Baroque theatre on the Prado, home of the Cuban National Ballet; guided tours run by day.
Paseo del Prado, Havana
Tree-lined promenade with marble benches and bronze lions between Old and Central Havana.
Floridita
Historic 1817 bar known for the daiquiri and as Hemingway's haunt, with a bronze statue of him at the bar.
Day 3
Havana Cathedral
18th-century Baroque cathedral with a curving coral-stone facade and asymmetric towers.
Castillo San Salvador de la Punta
16th-century fort at the harbour mouth facing El Morro, at the start of the Malecón.
Morro Castle
Fortress of 1589 guarding the harbour entrance, with a lighthouse and wide views of the city.
La Cabaña
Huge 18th-century fortress across the harbour with museums and the nightly cannon-firing ceremony.
Day 4
Museum of the Revolution
Museum of the Cuban Revolution in the former Presidential Palace, with the Granma yacht memorial behind it.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana
National fine arts museum, split between Cuban art and an international collection in two buildings.
José Martí Memorial
109-metre star-shaped tower and museum honouring José Martí, with a lift to a city viewpoint.
Callejón de Hamel
Short alley covered in colourful murals and sculptures celebrating Afro-Cuban culture, with rumba music sessions on Sunday afternoons.
Malecón, Havana
8 km seawall promenade along the coast, a favourite place to watch sunsets and the waves.
Hotel Nacional de Cuba
A grand 1930 hotel above the Malecón, with gardens, sea views and a history of famous guests.
Fábrica de Arte Cubano
Former cooking oil factory turned arts venue, combining galleries, live music, film and a club in the evenings.
Day 5
Acuario Nacional de Cuba
National aquarium in Miramar with marine life of Cuban waters and dolphin shows.
John Lennon Park
Small Vedado park with a bronze statue of John Lennon sitting on a bench.
Plaza de la Revolución
Vast square of political rallies, with the Martí Memorial and the Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos murals.
Havana in 6 days
Day 1
Colon Cemetery, Havana
Vast 1876 cemetery in Vedado with grand marble tombs and chapels, a top sight for sculpture lovers.
El Capitolio
1929 domed capitol, now seat of the National Assembly, with guided visits of its grand halls.
Gran Teatro de La Habana
Ornate neo-Baroque theatre on the Prado, home of the Cuban National Ballet; guided tours run by day.
Paseo del Prado, Havana
Tree-lined promenade with marble benches and bronze lions between Old and Central Havana.
Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana
National fine arts museum, split between Cuban art and an international collection in two buildings.
Day 2
Havana Cathedral
18th-century Baroque cathedral with a curving coral-stone facade and asymmetric towers.
Castillo San Salvador de la Punta
16th-century fort at the harbour mouth facing El Morro, at the start of the Malecón.
Morro Castle
Fortress of 1589 guarding the harbour entrance, with a lighthouse and wide views of the city.
La Cabaña
Huge 18th-century fortress across the harbour with museums and the nightly cannon-firing ceremony.
Day 3
Museum of the Revolution
Museum of the Cuban Revolution in the former Presidential Palace, with the Granma yacht memorial behind it.
Floridita
Historic 1817 bar known for the daiquiri and as Hemingway's haunt, with a bronze statue of him at the bar.
Callejón de Hamel
Short alley covered in colourful murals and sculptures celebrating Afro-Cuban culture, with rumba music sessions on Sunday afternoons.
Plaza de la Revolución
Vast square of political rallies, with the Martí Memorial and the Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos murals.
Acuario Nacional de Cuba
National aquarium in Miramar with marine life of Cuban waters and dolphin shows.
Malecón, Havana
8 km seawall promenade along the coast, a favourite place to watch sunsets and the waves.
Hotel Nacional de Cuba
A grand 1930 hotel above the Malecón, with gardens, sea views and a history of famous guests.
Fábrica de Arte Cubano
Former cooking oil factory turned arts venue, combining galleries, live music, film and a club in the evenings.
Day 4
José Martí Memorial
109-metre star-shaped tower and museum honouring José Martí, with a lift to a city viewpoint.
John Lennon Park
Small Vedado park with a bronze statue of John Lennon sitting on a bench.
Day 5
Plaza Vieja, Havana
Restored 16th-century square with colourful colonial buildings, a microbrewery and the camera obscura.
Hotel Ambos Mundos
Historic Old Havana hotel where Hemingway lived in room 511, with a rooftop bar.
El Templete
Small neoclassical temple of 1828 marking the city's founding site, beside a ceiba tree.
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
The oldest stone fort in the Americas, from 1577, now a maritime museum with a model galleon.
Bodeguita del medio
Small bar-restaurant with graffiti-covered walls, said to be the home of the mojito.
Day 6
Finca Vigía
Ernest Hemingway's hilltop home on the edge of Havana, kept as a museum with his books, trophies and his boat Pilar.
Palacio de los Capitanes Generales
Baroque former residence of the Spanish governors on the Plaza de Armas, now home to the Museum of the City of Havana.
Plaza de Armas (Havana)
The oldest square in Old Havana, shaded by trees and surrounded by colonial buildings, with second-hand book stalls.
Basilica of San Francisco de Asís, Havana
Sixteenth-century Franciscan basilica and convent in Old Havana, now a museum and concert venue with a tall bell tower to climb.
Old Havana
The UNESCO-listed colonial core, a grid of squares, churches, palaces and lively streets best explored on foot.
Watch: Havana in 3 days
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Havana
November to April is the dry season and the most comfortable time, with warm, sunny days; it is also the busiest. May to October is hot and humid, with heavy rain, and hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk from August to October. The Havana Jazz Festival usually takes place in January.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Havana on Booking.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Havana on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Havana on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Cuba from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Havana
- Cards issued by US banks do not work in Cuba and many others fail; bring enough cash in euros or US dollars and expect frequent card terminal outages.
- Most visitors need a Cuban tourist card (visa) and must fill in the online D'Viajeros form before arrival; travel insurance is mandatory.
- Power cuts and fuel shortages are frequent; carry a torch and power bank, and check that museums and restaurants are open on the day.
- Mobile internet runs through ETECSA; buy a tourist SIM or eSIM on arrival, or use Wi-Fi in hotels.
- Book the Cañonazo (9 pm cannon ceremony) at La Cabaña and classic-car rides through official agencies or your host; agree taxi fares first.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Acuario Nacional de Cuba: Patrick Nouhailler, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Basilica of San Francisco de Asís, Havana: Eric Weingart, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bodeguita del medio: Derek Blackadder from Cobourg, ON, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Callejón de Hamel: Antonio Schubert from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Castillo San Salvador de la Punta: Osvaldo valdes 165443, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Castillo de la Real Fuerza: JOAQUIND, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Colon Cemetery, Havana: Ivan2010, CC BY-SA 3.0
- El Capitolio: Nigel Pacquette, CC BY-SA 3.0
- El Templete: Detroit Publishing Company, Public domain
- Finca Vigía: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0
- Floridita: Haydn Blackey, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Fábrica de Arte Cubano: Jersey Devil, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gran Teatro de La Habana: Tacorontey, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Havana Cathedral: Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK, CC BY 2.0
- Hotel Ambos Mundos: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Hotel Nacional de Cuba: Carol M. Highsmith, Public domain
- John Lennon Park: ZorphDark at English Wikipedia, Public domain
- José Martí Memorial: Yomangani, Public domain
- La Cabaña: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Malecón, Havana: Lukas Mathis, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Morro Castle: Dominic Serres, Public domain
- Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana: The original uploader was Callelinea at English Wikipedia . who wrote: My grandmother had this picture.. It was taken in 1927, Public domain
- Museum of the Revolution: Paul Mannix, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Old Havana: Brian Snelson, CC BY 2.0
- Palacio de los Capitanes Generales: Frederic Mialhe, Public domain
- Paseo del Prado, Havana: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Plaza Vieja, Havana: Brian Snelson, CC BY 2.0
- Plaza de Armas (Havana): Unknown author, Public domain
- Plaza de la Revolución: Андрей Бобровский, CC BY 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
