Major Tourist Attractions In Havana

Havana, packed full with the memories and monuments of an eventful history and the sights, sounds and arts of a colourful culture, is sightseeing paradiso!

The old part of Havana, Habana Vieja, is the most attractive of the city's neighbourhoods. The original city was fortified after the Spanish regained Havana from the Brits after the Seven Day War of 1762. Havana has since far overstretched its original limits but the most atmospheric part of the city remains Habana Vieja. Restoration work that started after it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 has considerably enhanced the charms of this area.

Begin with the grand Capitolio Nacional that bears more than a passing resemblance to (good heavens!) the Capitol. You can take a guided tour through the columned portals taking in the marvellous details of the architecture and decor, and then settle down on the terrace with a drink to gaze down at the crowds that people old Havana. 

The Plaza de Armas is central to the city's hubbub; its oldest square, it is bordered by streets where Havana's most interesting second-hand book market opens everyday except Sunday, and where the Museo de la Ciudad preserves Cuba's colonial heritage in the Palacio de los Capitales Generales, which used to be the seat of the Spanish government till 1898. You'll also find the baroque Palacio del Segundo Cabo and the natty Museo Nacional de Historia Natural here.

The El Templete (a mini version of the Parthenon) has been constructed at the spot where Havana was founded; it is bound to catch your attention, as is the 16th century fortress Castillo de la Real Fuerze. The Museo de la Ceramique is located in the fort's ground floor. The Parque Central at the other end of Obispo marks the border of Habana Vieja and Centro Habana. It is a good place to put ones feet up or stroll and stare at the grand buildings around.

The Gran Teatro is the home of the national ballet, and the venue for some great cultural performances, and the Hotel Inglaterra is Cuba's oldest. The Museo de la Revolucion area has the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the Museo de la Revolucion located rather cheekily in the palace of Batista, the dictator who ruled prior to the revolution. These and the Memorial Camilo Che and the Granma Memorial - a celebration of the Bay of Pigs victory, are all located conveniently close to each other.

 Also of interest in Habana Vieja are the Plaza de la Catedral, the Plaza Vieja and the Plaza del Cristo where stands the Iglesia del Santo Cristo del Buen Village Church. Cigar enthusiasts should check out the Fabrica de Tobaco la Corona and Fabrica de Tobacos Partagas in the same area.

Immediately west of the Old City, and sandwiched between it and Vedado, is the primarily residential area of Centro Habana. This part of Havana is on few tourist itineraries and on first look it seems like it mustn't have much to offer. True, the sightseer visitor will not find much here, but this district can be immensely rewarding for the traveller whose looking for 'the complete picture'.

Everyday scenes apart, Centro Habana has the stunningly ornate neo Gothic church, Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon. The Iglesia Nuestra Senora Caridad del Cobre, where among other things you'll find the Cuban national badge above the altar, is one of the older churches in the city; it's construction dating back to 1802. Also located in Centro Habana is Chinatown, known locally as El Barrio Chino.  

To the west of Centro Habana is Vedado that, along with Habana Vieja, is the big tourist district in Havana. Airline offices, hotels, the choicest restaurants and some of the best museums are in this sprawling district and the Malecon, Havana's classic waterfront esplanade, lies to its north. At the Plaza de la Revolucion you'll find the memorials to Cuba's political history. The Memorial Jose Marti and the museo that's dedicated to the life of the great freedom fighter are located here, as is the Memorial Ernesto 'Che' Guevara. The famous revolutionary who came from Peru was and has remained dear to the Cuban people ever since the 1950s; the nickname 'Che', which means chum, indicates the endearment. Though there's not much special happening at the Plaza on regular days, May Day and annual parade days see the full enthusiasm of revolutionary zeal.

Museum enthusiasts should head for the Museo de los Artes Decoratives where Cuba's pre-revolutionary (read overwhelmingly colonial) art and craft are displayed in a grand mansion. Also in Vedado are Museo Napoleonico, dedicated to Napoleon, and Necropolis de Colon, a vast wooded and beautiful cemetery where you can look around for the graves of the famous. The Universidad de la Habana, Havana University, too is in Vedado.

In the posh locality of Miramar you'll find, besides huge bungalows and lot of wealthy brats, the city's aquarium, the Acuario Nacional de Cuba and the Marina Hemingway, named after one of Cuba's most famous denizens.