Old Havana
Historic heart of the capital, with colonial squares, fortresses, churches and pastel mansions packed into narrow streets. Most of it can be explored on foot, and many buildings have been carefully restored.
Havana
Live salsa music, lively plazas, the seaside Malecón, vintage cars and a colonial old town make up the picture here.
Attractive locations
El Capitolio
Grand domed building in central Havana, completed in the 1920s and once home to Cuba's legislature. Its huge statue hall, tall columns and long staircase make it one of the city's best-known landmarks.
Havana Cathedral
Baroque cathedral on a small square in Old Havana, with an uneven stone façade flanked by two towers of different sizes. Cafés and galleries surround the plaza in front.
San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress
Huge Spanish fortress across the harbour from Old Havana. Visitors walk its ramparts and moats for views of the city, and a cannon-firing ceremony takes place each evening.
Morro Castle
Spanish fortress on the headland guarding the entrance to Havana's harbour. Its thick walls, lighthouse and cannons give a fine view back across the water to the old city.
Malecón
Wide seafront promenade and sea wall running for several kilometres along Havana's coast. Locals gather here at sunset to fish, chat and watch the waves splash over the wall.
Plaza de la Revolución
Vast open square ringed by government buildings, known for the tall memorial to José Martí and the giant steel portraits of revolutionary heroes on two ministry facades.
Airports
José Martí International Airport HAV
It is about 17 km in a straight line from Havana.
Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport VRA
It is about 95 km in a straight line from Havana.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan22.4 °C30 mm
- Feb23.5 °C29 mm
- Mar24.5 °C23 mm
- Apr26.5 °C33 mm
- May27.8 °C64 mm
- Jun28.5 °C108 mm
- Jul29.0 °C83 mm
- Aug29.1 °C108 mm
- Sep28.3 °C102 mm
- Oct27.1 °C87 mm
- Nov24.8 °C45 mm
- Dec23.6 °C30 mm
Driest months: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec. Wettest months: Jun, Aug, Sep.
Festivals and events
culture
Havana Jazz Festival
Havana hosts the Jazz Plaza festival.
culture
Havana Jazz Festival
Havana hosts the Jazz Plaza festival.
Who can help
Emergency
Reported numbers: police 106, ambulance 104, fire 105 - confirm with your hotel or casa host.
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Cuba
Helps with: The UN migration agency in Cuba. Its work covers migration data, border management support, emergency response after disasters, and help for vulnerable migrants such as assisted voluntary return and family reunification.
Who qualifies: Vulnerable migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in Cuba, and national authorities. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +53 7 204 1512
Email: oimcuba@iom.int
Address: Calle 18 entre 1ra y 3ra, Playa, La Habana, Cuba
local government
Police emergency number 106
Helps with: Reaches the police in Cuba. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 106
local government
Ambulance emergency number 104
Helps with: Reaches the ambulance service in Cuba. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 104
local government
Fire emergency number 105
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Cuba. The number comes from UK government travel advice.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 105