Discover the Best Neighborhoods to Explore in Havana

Havana boasts three must-visit neighborhoods in the city center that every traveler should explore if they have a few days to spare.

First, there’s the beautifully restored Habana Vieja (Old Havana), a UNESCO World Heritage Site; then, gritty Centro Habana, where vibrant street life coexists with stunning civic architecture and key museums; finally, the more modern Vedado, reflecting its faded 1950s glamour through its boxy skyscrapers, former mafia hotels, and lively nightlife.

By visiting all three, you'll gain a deeper insight into the essence of this fascinating city. If your stay allows, seek out beaches, street art, and unique architecture in the nearby districts.

Here are seven must-visit neighborhoods in Havana.

Habana Vieja

Ideal neighborhood for a history lesson

Centered around four small squares that marked the growth of the original walled city in the early 1500s, modern Habana Vieja is a testament to a remarkable historical renovation undertaken against the odds during a time of significant economic hardship in the 1990s.

Today, this 4 sq km (1.5 sq mile) UNESCO World Heritage Site functions like a neighborhood-sized museum, but with one key distinction: around 100,000 people call it home.

The cityscape is both impressive and gritty, with schools and maternity homes overlooking bustling cobbled squares filled with tourists. Meticulously restored pharmacies continue to dispense prescriptions to eligible locals, while the former church of San Francisco de Asís now serves as a museum of religious art and Havana’s premier classical concert venue.

With approximately 900 historically significant buildings, this neighborhood is an essential starting point for anyone exploring Havana.

You can explore numerous museums showcasing everything from playing cards to medals, coins, and banknotes. A wealth of charming hotels are atmospherically housed in former colonial buildings.

Be sure to visit the bustling Calle Obispo, the vibrant shopping street, Plaza de la Catedral with its striking baroque church, and the lively bars of Plaza del Cristo, where live music spills from every window and door.

Centro Habana

Best neighborhood for leisurely wandering

Centro Habana represents the essence of Havana, a lively, worn-down yet safe area where life unfolds in the streets, and the vibrant sounds of salsa vie with the clatter of aging American cars navigating its narrow roads.

Bound to the north by the sweeping curve of the Malecón, its vibrant streets are perfect for strolling. Watch elderly men playing dominoes at curbside tables, hear the lively cries of pregoneros hawking fruits door to door, and savor the blend of cigar smoke mingling with the scents of pineapples and diesel.

In stark contrast to this lively area lies Parque Central and El Prado, a bustling corridor geared towards tourists, featuring Havana's most luxurious hotels and some of its premier museums, such as the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and the Museo de la Revolución.

Vedado

Best neighborhood for nighttime fun

Unlike the historic Habana Vieja, Vedado resembles a blend of Hausmann’s Paris and a slightly disordered American city.

Spacious urban plots are adorned with elegant villas and lush tropical gardens, while the radial avenues designed in the 1930s and 1940s spread out from the grand Plaza de la Revolución.

Once the center of Havana’s lively nightlife in the 1950s, Vedado still pulses with energy after dark. Here, you’ll find jazz clubs, vibrant cabarets, and the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, the ultimate venue for art and performances, alongside numerous cinemas and the expansive Coppelia ice-cream parlor.

Vedado is an ideal spot to relax on the seawall, sipping rum while mingling with fishermen, trumpet players, affectionate couples, and those gazing towards Florida.

For a more sophisticated evening drink, visit the breezy gardens of the iconic Hotel Nacional, where you can enjoy a mojito in the same bar that once welcomed Frank Sinatra and Winston Churchill.

Another enchanting spot for a sunset stroll is Havana’s vast cemetery, the Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón, a true city of the dead filled with history, religious relics, and perhaps even a few ghosts.

Miramar

Best neighborhood for charming dining experiences

Once a symbol of luxury, Miramar in the Playa municipality is now a verdant diplomatic district featuring wide avenues, towering ficus trees, and upscale private dining establishments.

The architecture here is a blend of eclectic styles, often leaning towards the whimsical. These grand, almost stately homes were typically constructed by affluent entrepreneurs right before the revolution, only to be commandeered by the government shortly thereafter.

Nowadays, many of these homes function as foreign embassies or offices for state-run businesses, with some transformed into boutique hotels. After admiring the stunning residences, you can take a break in El Bosque de la Habana, where the lushness of the neighborhood intensifies in a vibrant riverside park.

Thanks to its history as a diplomatic enclave, Miramar has long been known for its excellent private restaurants, complemented by a few state-operated options as well.

Along its tree-lined avenues, you can find a delightful mix of Italian, Lebanese, Spanish, and, naturally, Cuban cuisine in elegant and romantic settings. Some beloved spots include Paladar Vista Mar for its seafood and La Cocina de Lilliam for a unique blend of Cuban and European flavors.

In western Miramar, beginning at Calle 70, you'll discover a plush business district and an increasing number of modern hotels that appeal to traditional travelers. However, for better and more convenient lodging, Habana Vieja and Centro Habana are recommended.

Casablanca and the forts

Best neighborhood for historical forts

This tranquil boat dock and the nearby cluster of homes on the eastern side of Havana harbor are shadowed by several notable city landmarks: a towering 20-meter (66-foot) statue of Christ and the two largest forts in the city.

You'll find the iconic Castillo del Morro, complete with its lighthouse, alongside the impressive Cabaña, which holds the title of the largest Spanish fort in the Americas.

Though physically separated from Habana Vieja, these forts are part of its esteemed UNESCO designation. Spending time exploring their museums, ramparts, and hidden corners can easily take up half a day.

Small ferries traverse the harbor from Habana Vieja to Casablanca, or you can opt for a taxi through the road tunnel. Plan your visit for early evening to catch the 9pm Cañonazo (cannon-firing) ceremony at La Cabaña, where a few good restaurants offer dinner options.

Jaimanitas

Best neighborhood for street art

Fifteen years ago, the working-class fishing village of Jaimanitas was largely unknown, except to its residents. However, through the dedicated efforts of local artist José Fuster, its reputation has transformed from whispers to roars of acclaim.

Over the span of 25 years, Fuster has crafted an imaginative street art phenomenon called Fusterlandia, which continues to attract tourists in droves.

By adorning over 80 homes in the area with vibrant murals, mosaics, and whimsical sculptures inspired by artists like Gaudí and Picasso, he has remarkably revitalized his neighborhood, turning it into one of Havana’s must-see attractions.

Jaimanitas is situated 16km (10 miles) west of Centro Habana, within the municipality of Playa. You can take a local bus to reach it, but arranging a taxi is often more convenient.

Guanabo

Best neighborhood for lounging on the beach

Guanabo resembles more of a spacious village than a lively urban area, offering a laid-back beach atmosphere.

Located at the eastern end of Havana’s expansive beach area, Playas del Este, you can enjoy the lively Playa Guanabo just a block north of the main avenue, or opt for the serene Playa Boca Ciega, about 1km (0.5 miles) to the west.

While there aren’t many attractions beyond the beaches, this neighborhood is full of intriguing experiences waiting to be discovered.

Remaining untouched by suburban development, Guanabo prides itself on being a traditional Cuban village where spontaneous reggaeton parties can break out on the beach and horse-drawn carts are still a common sight.

To travel here like a local, catch the A40 bus near the train station in Habana Vieja. If you're considering an overnight stay, Guanabo offers a good selection of family-run casas particulares (private homestays).