| Havana is the capital city and primary commercial | | | | well-known promenade is Paseo del Prado, a popular |
| centre of Cuba. It is also the birthplace of rum, salsa, | | | | hangout for residents (or Habaneros). Vibrant with |
| and the Cuban cigar. This city was once called the | | | | music and dancing from the various sidewalk cafes, |
| "Paris of the Antilles" because of its flourishing cultural | | | | the street also hosts an art market and underground |
| scene and rich architectural heritage. Today, Havana | | | | realtors market during weekends. |
| has an old world charm that appeals to the more | | | | The city is known for its production of rum and |
| sophisticated and adventurous travellers. Here are a | | | | cigars and no Havana holiday will be complete without |
| few reasons why you should visit Havana. | | | | a visit to a distillery and cigar manufacturer. The |
| Havana's administration policies are very tourist | | | | Havana Club Rum Factory and Real Fabrica de |
| friendly and visitors are sure to find an abundance of | | | | Tabacos Partagás offer guided tours to the |
| travel modes, places to visit and accommodation | | | | public from where purchases can be made. Tourists |
| options to choose from. | | | | will enjoy the opportunity to see genuine Cuban |
| Travellers to the city will find shopping centres and | | | | cigars being made and can purchase them at a fair |
| souvenir shops selling memorabilia, clothes, shoes and | | | | price. |
| other items at bargain rates and can prepare | | | | There are also a number of politically-significant |
| themselves for a shopping extravaganza. | | | | attractions that tourists and history enthusiasts may |
| Exploring Havana by foot allows travellers to | | | | find interesting. The Plaza de la Revolucion bears a |
| experience the local culture firsthand using a city map. | | | | monument of Jose Marti and the iconic image of Che |
| This is the best way for a traveller to truly | | | | Guevara. The former Presidential Palace houses the |
| understand the city. The city's old quarter, aptly | | | | Museo de la Revolucion, which outlines the history of |
| named Old Havana, was named a UNESCO World | | | | Cuba from the onset of the neo-colonial period. Both |
| Heritage Site in 1982 and houses a number of | | | | these places are popular tourist hotspots. |
| neo-classical and baroque structures, such as the | | | | Fans of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro will enjoy a |
| Castillo del Morro, Catedral de San Cristobal and Plaza | | | | visit to Havana along with the opportunity to |
| de Armas. El Macelon, one of the district's main | | | | purchase Che and Fidel memorabilia such as flags, |
| avenues, offers stunning views of the bay. Another | | | | tee-shirts, papier mache masks or statuettes. |