Old Havana

Old Havana

Old Havana Reason to visit: One of the world’s most renowned tourist cities

Old Havana is an area in Cuba’s capital city, Havana, that was developed during the Spanish colonial period. The fortress here was built in 1538 and is the oldest castle in Cuba. Although located in the tropics, the climate is mild and spring-like all year round, earning it the nickname “Pearl of the Caribbean.” It is also one of the most famous tourist cities in the world. The renowned American writer and Nobel Prize laureate Ernest Hemingway once praised Havana as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Old Havana showcases 1,780 buildings in 400 years of architectural harmony, representing styles from Neoclassicism to Baroque. With its blue skies, clear waters, and refreshing Caribbean breezes, the city attracts visitors with its rich history, unique culture, and intriguing charm. Old Havana and its fortifications have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. These castles, fortifications, and traditional residential architecture create a distinctive historical atmosphere, making Old Havana the most important historical center in the Caribbean and one of the most significant in the Americas. Parts of the old city have been restored, featuring narrow cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial-era buildings such as the Cathedral, Plaza de la Catedral, Museum of Colonial Art, Morro Castle, Fuerte de la Fuerza with its Armory Museum, and La Cabana Fortress which houses the Museum of the City of Havana.