Havana Holidays | Cheap Holidays to Havana

Things to do in Havana

The temperate but spicy Caribbean island of Cuba is famous for its hip-swivelling salsa and hand-rolled cigars. But it’s got a lot more to offer than just that. There are plenty of cool things to do in Havana!

Cuba’s exciting capital Havana offers small-town charm, along with spectacular cultural attractions, must-see sights and delicious food. Havana’s streets are full of ancient architectural wonders, with Moorish and Art Deco touches lingering between the extravagant colonial buildings... you're unlikely to run out of things to do in the city!

Our favourite activities in Havana

There's a lot to do on a Havana holiday, but here are our top favourite things to get up to when we are in the vibrat capital of Cuba:

• Visiting its unique restaurants and vibrant bars
• Taking in the exquisite art galleries, filled with local flair
• To escape the city for a bit, you can jump onto the Hershey Train and have a leisurely meander through the rolling countryside, tumbling away from the city.

Havana beaches

Cuba has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And you’re likely to adopt the laid-back local culture quite quickly. You can enjoy the peace and quiet along the isolated beaches or have a swim in the clear turquoise waters of Santa Maria.

A UNESCO biosphere, Playa las Tumbas on the Guanhacabibes Peninsula is a picture-perfect wonder to behold, as is Playa Ancón near Trinidad.

Locals and tourists alike flock to Varadero Beach for its 36 kilometres of soft, golden sands. The sands are much whiter in Guardalavaca and Cayo Coco in the Jardines del Rey. So many of the beaches near Havana are unforgettable sights.

Snorkelers will love Holguín or lovely Playa Jibacoa with its warm waters which are shallow at the shore, so perfect for young children. Cuba's top beaches are host to some stunning hotels and resorts, giving you the option to sleep in sumptuous surrounding just metres from the waves.

Havana culture

By day, Cuba has a huge contemporary art scene that put many other cultural hubs across the world to shame. Art influences come from a diverse cultural blend of North American, South American, European and African elements.

The well-kept colonial centre, Old Havana is home to many attractions.

• At the colourful Plaza de Armas Book Market, you can enjoy an evening of dancing in the old Salsa clubs.
• When you’re in Havana, try to make time to explore Cuba's oldest fort, Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Today, the fort stands next to a new shipwreck museum which is also well worth a visit.

For a trip out of the city, try Trinidad; culture vultures can marvel at the ancient town made up of quaint cobbled streets leading to colonial ruins that echo its Spanish roots. The elegant mansions that have been left behind now serve as museums, and are registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Best restaurants in Havana

It's hard to pinpoint the best restaurants in Havana, because there are so many amazing options, and the cost of eating in Havana is generally not prohibitive. Cuba has a varied range of cuisine. The best places to sample the different dishes are in the "paladares", or restaurants. Most serve criolla, which is traditional Cuban fare that you must try, but there are also a lot of European dishes on the menu for those with a less adventurous palate. Street food is very popular, and cheap, on this island. The most popular meals are corn fritters and pizza.

As you can imagine, Cuba is a big producer of rum; in fact, it has around 12 rum distilleries, which produce 60 different brands. This makes classic rum cocktails, including daiquiris and mojitos, the best things to order.

Havana nightlife

Havana nightlife is as vibrant as its people and culture. And when the sun goes down, the island’s urban hideaways burst into life, with live cosmopolitan music resonating through the streets and in local bars, and sophisticated operas and ballets playing out in the theatres.

If you’re on the island in July, you can get into party spirit at the multi-coloured carnival in Santiago de Cuba and experience some of the best clubs in Cuba.

Holidays in Cuba allow you to enjoy the most popular nightspots in Havana. It’s bursting at the seams with clubs, vibrant bars, and live music venues. The Cuban festive spirit comes to life every night in the capital, but don’t forget to explore the island's alternative hotspots as well.

If you travel out of Havana, resorts like Varadero boast a lively evening scene, and you can expect a brilliant mix of partygoers of all ages dancing the night away.

Havana family holidays

Are you travelling with the kids this year? Family holidays to Cuba are an unforgettable experience for people of all ages. The fun begins at a fabulous, family-friendly hotel, where the food, refreshments, swimming pools and activities all cater to children – so you don’t need to plan for anything.

Many of the beaches are family-friendly, with sand and water-based activities that are fun for kids and adults alike. Cuba’s underwater world can be explored from one of the boat tours in Cayo Coco or Varadero, but if you and the little ones would rather stay dry, you can explore the aquariums in Havana and Guardalavaca.

Cuban holidays are an adventure for the whole family. The kids can pretend they’re pirates on a guided hike to the largest cave in Cuba. The Bellamar Caves are home to a pool and an underground stream, and you can dip your feet in the “Fountain of Youth” – most popular with the adults! Excursions can easily be arranged from Varadero and Cuba's other main hubs.

Havana for couples

Havana holidays allow you to enjoy a romantic tryst on some of the most secluded coastlines, with candlelit dinners in colonial harbours and a warm Cuban welcome when you come to the Caribbean. When you book a couples' holiday in Havana, you can expect a pamper session at a relaxing spa, being utterly spoilt at luxurious beach resort, or an all-night dancing excursion in a back-room bar. There's something in Havana to suit every kind of couple in 2020.

If you and your partner want to get away from it all, you can escape to the white-sandy beaches of Cayo Santa Maria, or get lost together in the character and charm of the island, its passionate music, culture and architecture.

But for fun-loving couples, the best place to be is Cuba’s capital, Havana. The city has a live music scene like no other. Expect to salsa the night away with the locals, or dine out in one of the fine restaurants. Neither of you will forget your colourful holiday to Cuba, thanks to the many cultural sights and sounds around every corner.