Holiday in Havana

What makes Havana special as a destination?

Havana is a time capsule in the Caribbean: vintage cars from the 1950s roll over wide boulevards, colorfully decaying colonial palaces tell of past splendor, and the sounds of Son, Salsa, and Buena Vista Social Club emanate from every bar. The Cuban capital is a city that overwhelms all the senses at once — and leaves no one indifferent. Habana Vieja, the historic old town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, impresses with the Plaza de la Catedral, the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, and the fortress El Morro at the harbor entrance. A ride in an open vintage convertible along the Malecon, the famous waterfront promenade where Cubans sit, play music, and drink rum at sunset, is Havana's signature experience. The Bodeguita del Medio and El Floridita were Hemingway's favorite spots for Mojitos and Daiquiris. The Vedado district offers a more modern side with the Hotel Nacional, the Plaza de la Revolución featuring the iconic Che Guevara portrait, and an emerging private restaurant scene in the Paladares. Cuban art, from street painters to the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, a massive cultural hall in a former oil factory, surprises with creativity and energy. The best time to visit is from November to April with pleasant weather and little rain.