How I Spent a Life-Changing Week in Havana
I recently took the trip of a lifetime to Cuba and it was magical for so many reasons. One thing I think made such an impact was the fact that I didn’t spend it poolside at an all-inclusive resort, but rather in the heart of the bustling, vibrant city of Havana. My Airbnb was situated comfortably near El Capitolio and La Habana Vieja, making it easy to access restaurants, tourist spots, and other activities we couldn’t wait to fill our time with. Check out my itinerary and have the trip of your dreams in Havana!
Day One
We arrived late in the evening, and after a good sleep, we were powered up and ready to conquer what our first full day in the city would bring! We strolled around La Habana Vieja, or Old Havana, for most of the day. We ducked in and out of famous bars and restaurants and tried a variety of food, both traditional Cuban dishes and international cuisine. Of course we had to get a pina colada at every stop - it just wouldn’t be Cuba without one! We tried notable places like Floridita, ChaChaCha Bar, and Los Palados Mercaderes to name a few frontrunners for our favourite food all trip.
Day Two
Did you really go to Cuba if you didn’t take a classic car tour? We used Havana Vintage Car Tours to book a three-hour guided tour of the beautiful city we were calling home for the next week. Our tour guide Fabio was incredible and so knowledgeable about the history and current state of Havana, and hearing about the culture from a local was nothing short of eye-opening. Fabio and his driver took us all over the city, showing us notable tourist sites like El Capitolio, Casablanca, and la Plaza De La Revolución. That night, we strolled around our area more, just taking in the culture and chatting with locals before going back to ChaChaCha for some delicious pasta for dinner.
Day Three
Often seen but not entered until now, on our third day we visited El Capitolio, Cuba’s government building. We had to pay $20 Canadian to enter, but got a forty-five minute guided tour of the second level, where we took in stunning art and architecture and learned so much about the history. We took to the streets again and saw sights like the University of Havana on our way to our dinner spot, La Guardia, a well-known rooftop patio in Havana, where we had the best food of our entire trip. On our way home, we bar-hopped, stopping at every bar and restaurant (and the occasional nightclub) where we could dance with the locals and enjoy the delicious beverages of Cuba. We finished our night by taking a pedicab back to our Airbnb, where we collapsed into bed, exhausted from our magical third day.
Day Four
As a museum lover myself, I knew I had to see El Museo de Bellas Artes, or the Museum of Fine Art in Havana. Seeing art from another culture was intriguing and surprisingly very different from galleries I had been to in North America. We also stopped by the Revolution Museum, where you can enter the grounds for a small fee, but most of the museum is visible from the outside. We took another pedicab to the San Jose Artisan Market where we loaded up on local, handmade souvenirs for our families back in Canada. Meeting the artists and helping support the local economy was such an incredible experience! We stopped for Italian for an amazing dinner at La Vitriola, where the locals told us their recommendations for places we could spend another night out on the town. Needless to say, that night we ended up at The Cuban Art Factory, which housed not only a nightclub, but art installments, live music events, artisan shops, and multiple bars.
Day Five
The second I heard about Fusterlandia, I knew I had to see it. This was one spot I had undoubtedly been looking forward to significantly during the planning process of our trip. Fusterlandia is a small fishing village-turned-community art project, and the entire town is a giant mosaic. We got to tour the artist’s house for the most unique and immersive art experience yet. Research Fuster and his art before you get there, as you might even get the chance to meet him! Naturally, we spent the rest of the day eating good food and enjoying drinks at Eclectico, a quaint and quiet Italian bar with incredible porcini truffle risotto and even better service.
Day Six
It’s the day you’ve been waiting for - Beach Day! Take this chance to sink your toes into white sand beaches and swim in clear, turquoise waves. We visited Santa Maria del Mar Beach, which was also lined with little restaurants where you can stop for delicious food and, of course, more pina coladas. People sell things on the beach in Cuba, so we even got the chance to buy a coconut and drink from it on the beach. This day was like a mini slice of paradise and if I could do Cuba again, I would ensure I had more time to soak up the rays!
Final Thoughts
Our trip to Cuba was overall incredible. What struck me the most wasn’t just the beauty of the city, but the warmth of the people and the way everyday life unfolds in the streets. There was never a dull moment and we made so many memories and met so many people I’ll never forget. Next time you go to Cuba, skip the all-inclusive and steal this itinerary for the real local experience!