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Havana tours and excursions

Havana tours

Walking and bus tours

A guided tour is a great introduction to Old Havana and (comparatively) bucolic Vedado. Most walking tours begin at the Plaza de la Revolución, the centre of political life in Cuba. Many stroll through the narrow streets of Habana Vieja, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and explore the restored squares surrounded by splendid old colonial houses.

Havana city tours operate daily, most are subject to a minimum number of people. Clients are collected from their hotels. Two recommended operators are Havana Tour Company and Havana Urban Adventures. Private tours can also be arranged locally with English-speaking guides.

Tel: +53 5 307 0220; +53 5 338 7373.
Website: http://www.havanatourcompany.com

Tours in classic cars

History comes alive touring the city in a classic car. Take your pick from 1950s Cadillacs, Fords or Chevrolets – convertibles too – and cruise Havana in the coolest possible way. You can contract a car and driver from any number of vintage car operators, or strike a deal with a freelance taxi surrounding Parque Central.

Tel: +53 5 242 8987; +53 5 289 9155.
Website: http://www.oldcartours.com

Havana excursions

Finca Vigía (Hemingway's home)

In 1939, Ernest Hemingway bought this farmhouse 15km (9 miles) east of Havana in San Francisco de Paula. The house and grounds have been preserved as Hemingway left them. Visitors are only allowed to look through the windows (though a small tip to museum guards may help gain entrance). Bring a picnic to fully enjoy the verdant grounds. Nearby is the seaside village of Cojimar, where Hemingway kept his boat, the Pilar, (now dry-docked at Finca Vigía) and went fishing with Gregorio Fuentes, who inspired the title character in The Old Man and the Sea.

Tel: +53 7 860 1524.
Website: http://www.hemingwaycuba.com/finca-la-vigia.html

Viñales Valley

For pure natural beauty, Viñales Valley, with mogotes (limestone hills) rising up from the lush green valley floor, is unparalleled. Fertile Pinar del Río province is where Cuba's world-famous tobacco is cultivated and there are many local tobacco farms in the area to visit. Stop by the hotel Los Jazmines for a breathtaking view of Viñales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before rambling around the quirky, extraordinary Jardín de Caridad. Tours can be arranged at most hotel tourist desks. Viñales is three hours from Havana by car.

Website: http://pnvinales.webcindario.com

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Featured Hotels

Parque Central Hotel

This well-situated, upscale hotel straddling Central Havana and Old Havana has been setting the standard for luxury lodging in the Cuban capital for years. In 2010, the Parque Central added 149 rooms in its new, chic La Torre building, further cementing its reputation as one of the city's best places to stay. Connected to the original building (with 277 rooms), La Torre is more low-key and the rooms fresher. The rooftop pool with panoramic city views is a real draw here.

Hotel El Terral

One of Havana's newest properties, this boutique hotel is superbly perched overlooking the Malecón – and every room has a private balcony from which to appreciate the killer sea views. One guest says it's like being on a ship, you're that close to the water. So chic and popular is this place, you'll be lucky to land one of the 14 rooms. Doubly lucky are those that book a corner room (with two balconies) or one of the two suites each with long, deep terraces. The staff are friendly and pay meticulous attention to detail, plus you can walk to some excellent restaurants and sites.

Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Built in the 1930s by a New York firm, this historic hotel is a national monument and a destination in its own right. The rich and famous have always favoured its beautiful gardens overlooking the Malecón – notable guests include Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Steven Spielberg and Uma Thurman. The hotel's cigar bar is tops (especially during December's film festival when the Nacional is packed with luminaries) and the Cabaret Parisien is popular for its scantily-clad, floor show. The rooms here are nothing fancy; upgrade to the sixth (executive) floor if you're coming for more than the history.

Saratoga Hotel

Widely considered one of Havana's top luxury hotels (just ask Beyoncé and Jay-Z who celebrated their wedding anniversary here in 2013), the Saratoga offers understated elegance in a prime location across the street from the majestic Capitolio Building. There are 96 equally-comfortable rooms, though décor varies from charming colonial to modern chic – 'deluxe patio' (or standard rooms) overlook the interior patio and are less desirable. If budget allows, upgrade to a suite – from the wraparound balcony to mahogany interior, they're spectacular.

Hotel Saint John's

Although this hotel in Havana's verdant Vedado section of town has a great location and is walking distance from the Malecón, it has seen better days. The 86 rooms are pretty well worn and not all electrical outlets, faucets or lights may be working. But there's a small rooftop pool, the famous Pico Blanco disco on the top floor, and some rooms have sea views, which allows many guests (especially students and younger travellers, who favour this place) to overlook the shabbiness.

Park View Hotel

A great location combines with a nice price to make the Park View a perennial favourite. Close to both the famous Museo de la Revolución and the exquisite Museo de Bellas Artes, this small Havana hotel provides a warm welcome to the city. Functional rather than fancy, rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV and a safe deposit box. The on-site restaurant has awesome city views and hotel staff are friendly.

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