Attractions in Havana Centre

Centro Habana is the smallest of the municipalities that integrate the province of Havana and, at the same time, the most populous. It has a territorial extension of 3.42 square kilometres, which represents only 0.47% of the territory of the entire province. It is a totally urban territory, having 514 blocks.

This area of Havana is worth visiting as it is full of bustling streets and old buildings, despite the fact that it has not received as much investment as Old Havana for its restoration. It also includes such iconic places as the Museum of the Revolution, the National Capitol of Cuba, the Royal Partagás Tobacco Factory, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Paseo Martí and the Castle of San Salvador de la Punta.

Other places of interest to visit:

• The Paseo del Prado and the Central Park have been places of confluence and recreation for Havana residents of all times.
• Espada Cemetery, the first cemetery built in Havana, in 1806.
• Torreón de San Lázaro, built in the 16th century. It is one of the fortifications that served as a lookout to defend the city from attacks by corsairs and pirates. Today, this monument represents the municipality as a symbol of rebellion and dignity of a heroic people.
• Chinatown is another first-class attraction that has become one of the most interesting places in the city, largely due to its uniqueness and the profusion of Chinese restaurants that offer the best of Chinese cuisine. Today, the expression of Chinese culture can be seen in festivals such as the Overseas Chinese Festival or the House of Chinese Arts and Traditions, which hosts a wide variety of cultural events, such as visual arts exhibitions and dance workshops.
• Royal Tobacco Factory La Corona, which was founded in 1842, in Agramonte Street. During visiting hours, you will be able to see how the tobacco experts produce the famous Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo and Cohíba cigars.
• The building of the Old Spanish Casino, nowadays called the Wedding Palace, is the favourite place for Havana residents to get married. Located at number 302, Paseo del Prado, on the corner of Ánimas Street, and built in 1914, it is a very pleasant place to visit.
• José Lezama Lima House Museum, a building built for real-estate lease purposes. It was occupied by José Lezama Lima and his mother. In this house, he lived from the 30s until his death, and in it he wrote his amazing poems and his most famous novels. It owns a large part of the writer's rich personal collection.
• San Rafael Boulevard, one of the busiest pedestrian streets in the city, along which millions of tourists and local visitors have walked during their daily comings and goings.