Havana, the colorful capital of Cuba, is a vibrant and bustling city full of architectural, cultural, and head-turning gems that spark an inviting curiosity within its travelers. Founded in 1519, Havana remains the economic, political, cultural and social hub of this rich island nation. Everything within this UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Havana, from the classic cars to its world-famous cigars and living folklore beckons the explorer in you to come alive.
Here are our Top 5 Things to Do in Havana
5. Eat Authentic Cuban Cuisine in the Callejón del Chorro
Dining at Paladars (Privately Owned Restaurants) are the way to go in Cuba. Although some government restaurants may appear to be nicer and cheaper, believe us when we tell you, their food quality is not as good as the local Paladars. Since the government opened up the possibility for locals to own and operate restaurants, the options for exquisite cuisine in Cuba have drastically increased! The Callejón del Chorro (The Alley of the Gusher) is named after the place where locals could once come to fill their water jars from a tap that was tied into the aqueduct system (completed in 1592). This once-small residential alley is now a street filled with authentic and competitive Cuban restaurants.
Not only is the food in the alley tastily inviting, but the callejón sits just to the side of the Cathedral of Havana (above) and offers an incredible mix of live entertainment in the evenings that just might leave you wondering if you should rub your belly or get up and dance. We recommend both!
As you approach the alley, you will run into “callers” who will present you with a mouth-watering menu and great prices. Don’t let them bully you into eating at their restaurant. Trust us, say “no thank you”, pass them up, and take a seat at the first restaurant on the right, Esto no es un Café, which hosts thematic dishes as a tribute to artists’ works from around the world. Their mouth-watering cuisine combines international recipes with that of Cuban tradition. And be sure to tell them that Gardner Tours (Colby) sent you, as they are one of our trusted restaurant partners.
For other amazing local flavors, you’ll just have to book a tour and trust us with the details!
4. Smoke a Cuban Cigar & Drink a Mojito (or Daiquirí)
Even if you’re not a cigar smoker or one to enjoy the occasional drink, we recommend giving them a try! After all, what’s experiencing Cuba without one of their world-famous cigars or mixed drinks?
As a side note, don’t let yourself get finagled into purchasing any cigars (or rum) in the streets. Usually, you’ll find they aren’t genuine, top-quality items like those at the Casa del Habanos. If you do, you might find yourself regretting your purchase quite quickly.
Whenever you decide to kick your feet back, we recommend avoiding the tourist traps. Though they hold great history, two of the biggest traps are El Floridita (Cuba’s oldest bar) or La Bodeguita del Medio. They may have live music, but they are usually shoulder-to-shoulder environments with people constantly coming and going. As you know, there’s nothing like sharing a moment with friends (and locals) out on a balcony as you talk about life, love, and the pursuit of your dreams, so we recommend finding a place that is not overrun with people so you can truly enjoy the moment.
In the case that you want to have a good hour-and-a-half to two-hour experience, contact us and we will set you up with an unforgettable Cuban Cocktail Lesson. We guarantee you, it’s well worth it! It might just be the best experience you have in Cuba... but we’ll leave those decisions up to you.
3. Go on an Old Havana Walking Tour
You might not be into walking, or tours for that matter, but if you want to get a true experience of Havana, you must go on an Old Havana Walking Tour. You can read all about Havana’s history, folklore, architecture, and rich culture in a guidebook, but there are just some things you truly can’t experience without a guide. Our guides have been leading walking tours through Old Havana for over 10 years. Our guides are also considered among Havana’s best when it comes to their knowledge and expertise (we know that because other companies call on them often).
Designed for lovers of history, architecture, and rich culture, our four-hour Old Havana Walking Tour will reveal the unnoticed and educate you on Old Havana’s most interesting historical, cultural, and romantic treasures. Your guide will introduce you to Havana’s great history, cuisine, people, famous stories, rich arts, and folklore. You will visit and see Havana’s most remarkable sites such as the famous Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja, the Havana Cathedral, La Bodeguita del Medio, the Capitol, the Original Partagas Cigar Factory, the Museum of the Revolution, and much more. You will learn of Havana’s rocky history and experience first-hand how it has evolved over the last five centuries into a modern city with a remarkably laid-back vibe.
2. Cruise Havana in a Classic Car
We’ve not met one single traveler that, after their two-hour Classic Car Tour, hasn’t thoroughly enjoyed it! There’s a reason why people all over the world talk about Cuba’s classic cars. And it’s not only because Cuba houses the world’s largest collection of well-preserved classic cars. It’s rather because taking a cruise in one of them through the world’s most intriguing city is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Designed for classic car enthusiasts, you will cruise Havana’s most remarkable sites on our two-hour Classic Car Excursion. You will visit and learn about sites such as the Christ Statue atop Casa Blanca (the best view of Havana), El Morro Fortress park, the Capitol Building, Revolution Square, the Vedado neighborhood, and finish with a breezy drive down the Malecón (seawall). Ensure to connect with your driver and ask as many questions as possible while learning the history behind each location!
1. Plan a night out at one of Havana’s finest venues!
You must encounter the arts of Cuba to get the real-deal experience. Whether you’re into new-age creative arts or you’re into the classics, it’s all at your fingertips in Havana.
La Fabrica de Artes Cubano (The Cuban Art Factory) is a cutting-edge hotspot where sophisticated gallery rooms cohabitate with large multimedia-equipped performance spaces. It’s an old warehouse space that was a former cooking oil plant but has now been transformed into the most hip place in town where locals and tourists alike go to enjoy live events while browsing the intriguing art expos that line the walls. If you’re not into shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, we recommend you go from 8PM to 10PM.
The world-famous Tropicana Cabaret (video below) hosts “the best show in Cuba”, a two-hour live event with classic Cuban music, dancers, and acrobats, and, before COVID, they were running every night, non-stop, since 1939. Although it’s quite pricey and there is a strict dress code, it’s well worth it, especially if you add dinner to your evening.
The Grand Theatre of Havana (below) is the Mecca of performing arts in Cuba and an architectural icon in the city. It hosts some of the world’s most famous ballets and operas from its traditional New Year’s gala commemorating the triumph of the Revolution to the ever-coveted Italian and French operas of the world.
It’s debatable which is a classier experience, the Tropicana, the Grand Theatre, or the private show (described below), but we’ll simply leave that choice to you.
*ENTERTAINMENT BONUS*
Watch a Private Show at a Private Venue/Restaurant
If you’re looking for a truly unique entertainment experience, we highly recommend a local and private “Big Show” Experience. It’s not near as large as the Tropicana or the Grand Theatre of Havana, but the excitement is just as high with an even more intimate feel. The show was created by a local Cuban who started her dream, a local, privately owned dance company. They put on a private show in an incredible restaurant and it’s one that you don’t want to miss, especially if you are looking for a more private, intimate evening. We love this show so much that if this sounds like it’s up your alley, contact us and we will gladly set you up with them for free! We love supporting these guys!
*CULTURAL TIP*
Engage the Locals with Genuine Interest
That’s right, we believe that getting off the generic path of the tourist does a traveler good! We highly recommend sitting down with a local you’ve met a few times, like your BnB host or tour guide, and getting to know them. Ask about their family, arrange a night of dominoes, practice your Spanish, share coffee, or get out and about! Ask them to take you to their favorite spot or take a stroll down the Malecón (seawall). Engage with them in their element. Remember, it’s never truly “authentic” until you dive into the lives of locals. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to enjoy each moment. Trust us, taking a genuine interest and engaging a few locals like this will make your trip one that you’ll never forget!
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