About the City

The cultural and political centre of Cuba is the capital La Habana which has about 2.2 million inhabitants. Because of its good position in the western part of the island, La Habana became the most important seaport in the Caribbean. Today, La Habana has one of the safest harbours in the world. The city gained prosperity through the business of sugar refining and tobacco processing. Many stately buildings were erected, some of them can still be visited today. In its vivid history, La Habana was plundered by pirates and occupied by the English, but the Spanish conquerors left behind the most remarkable traces. A highlight of your journey to Cuba will certainly be the experience of those traces dating back to the colonial government.

UNESCO put a preservation order on the old part of the city, the historic centre. A characteristical feature here are the narrow, quaint streets with wonderful places and buildings. Many buildings have been renovated during the last years. It is always worth to take a tour through the pictoresque lanes of the old city. Popular destinations are for example the "Plaza de la Catedral" with a beautiful baroque cathedral, the magnificent boulevard "Prado" and the fortification "El Morro", from which you have a splendid view on the whole city. The "Capitolio" which can be seen from a great distance is made of white limestone is equally worth visiting.

Of course, La Habana offers many opportunities for culture and entertainment: bars, restaurants, museums, theatres, cinamas, cabaret, discos and live-music.

To learn more about La Habana, please follow the links we have selected for you.