Skip to content
Locrawl

Historic places in Havana

6 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Havana.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Historic places in Havana

  1. See

    Colon Cemetery

    Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón

    One of the great historical cemeteries of the world, important in both historical and architectural terms. It's not possible to see much from behind the fence.

    ~US$5 for foreigners

  2. See

    Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña

    A well-restored fort of the 18th century that holds two one-room exhibitions about arms and Che Guevara. Every evening there is a cannon ceremony where they fire over the Havana harbour. To get there take any bus (ex. from the Parque the la Fraternidad) that crosses the tunnel and get off right after it. Walk about 600 m to the entrance. On your way you can also stop at the smaller Castillo de los Tres Santos Reyes Magnis del Morro next to the tunnel.

  3. See

    Havana Cathedral

    Catedral de La Habana

    Built in the 18th century and redesigned in the 1940s, this church is a prime example of Baroque architecture in Cuba. Houses the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Cuba.

  4. See

    Museum of the Revolution

    Museo de la Revolución

    Housed in the former presidential palace, this iconic museum offers a history tour from pre-Columbian to the revolution in 1959 and on to present-day socialist Cuba. There's more than a hint of propaganda among the exhibitions.

    Open now · closes 5 pmAdmission ~US$6, use of camera ~US$2 extra

  5. See

    Plaza de Armas

    Spacious and elegant, the square is surrounded by baroque constructions that give it an authentic colonial milieu. It was laid out during the 1600s, replacing an old plaza which acted as the center of religious, administrative and military activity. Until the mid-18th century, it was used for military exercises and parades. After its remodeling between the years 1771-1838, it became a favored meeting spot for the city's wealthy. Today it is also known as Céspedes Park, in honor of the country's Founding Father, whose monument stands at its center. This square is one of the most outstanding in the city, enlivened by vendors of antiques and classical books on Latin American and world literature. Attractions of remarkable historical value lay around the square such as the capok tree (Ceiba) under which the first mass for the city's founding was officiated in 1519.

  6. See

    The Royal Force Castle

    Castillo de la Real Fuerza

    The oldest bastioned fortress in the New World, completed 1577. It now houses Cuba's premier maritime museum with excellent exhibits of Cuba’s maritime past, from pre-Columbian days through to the 18th century with the Royal Shipyard of Havana, one of the largest in the world which built nearly 200 ships for the Spanish Crown. The museum includes a huge model of Santisima Trinidad, one of the largest ships in the world during the 18th century. The fort is also a great location for viewing the harbour and city skyline.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Havana (CC BY-SA 4.0).