Why is havana famous

Cueva del Indio is the most popular among tourists because not only is it very accessible and easier to explore than other caves in the area, but visitors can also tour it by boat.

The old American cars that have become a Cuban icon are only the tip of the iceberg in a widespread repair culture brought about by years of shortages, lack of spare parts, and a pressing need to keep appliances and equipment working well beyond normal obsolescence limits because incomes are too low to afford new things.

Rather than well-preserved jewels, old American cars in Cuba are Frankensteins re-assembled and resurrected again and again.

Look around and discover how the people refill lighters, sew shoes, and how they repair many other things, including fans, blenders, clothes, printers, and smartphones. Many times they come with mesmerizing dance performances by musicians or random members of the audience. Havana is 10 minutes away from the beginning of a long strip of beaches called Playas del Este, so you can easily combine your city explorations with a quick getaway to the beach, preferably in a maquina.

Cuban cigars have enjoyed the highest world recognition for many decades, due to their excellent quality and for being a forbidden item, which began in , in the United States as part of a trade embargo on Cuba. Most tobacco plantations are open for tours that cover every stage of cigar production—from the crops in the fields to the aging process to production handmade most of the time, although machine-made cigars are also common.

The list of must-see buildings includes beautiful churches, palatial homes, former government buildings, and squares. From the Anti-Imperialist Grandstand across from the U. Embassy where Cuba demanded the return of the little boy known as Elian Gonzalez to the Revolution Square where Fidel Castro made some of his main speeches that steered Cuba in a different direction in the s, there are plenty of historic places to visit.

A longtime ally of the extinct Soviet Union, Cuba survived the collapse of the socialist bloc without sacrificing many of the social and political programs that had driven life in the country before the economic crisis of the s.

Havana is a very safe city, where visitors can generally wander freely without running the risk of being mugged or attacked in any way. Museo de la Ciudad The dusty history of Havana laid out in one of its finest baroque buildings. Hotel Nacional The site of a bloody siege and a Mafia conference, this hotel is built on 18th-century gun emplacements. Hotel Sevilla Fictional setting for a Graham Greene novel and real-life hangout for a photo gallery of stars.

Hotel Palacio Cueto Havana's finest art nouveau building was recently reborn as a hotel after lying vacant for 25 years. Hotel Raquel An architectural marvel in its own right, this refurbished hotel dates from and is lavishly eclectic in style.

Fusterlandia A whole neighborhood covered in a giddy array of mosaics, tiles and lurid paintings. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes The whole history of Cuban art, supported by a commendable collection of international masterpieces. It was rebuilt several times and then finally replaced in the middle of the 19th century with a new lighthouse constructed of solid stone.

Today, its original lamp still shines, and the fort is open to tourists. You can enjoy beautiful views over the ocean and the city of Havana from its upper reaches. El Capitolio National Capitol Building. Travelers to Havana who have visited Washington, D. The structure displays a blend of neoclassical and Art Nouveau styles and was the seat of government until , after the Cuban Revolution.

For a small fee, you can take a guided tour of the recently restored building, with headsets provided in the language of your choice. Highlights include the grand hallways, beautiful inlaid marble floors, and massive dome. Atop the dome is a replica of the bronze sculpture Mercury, originally created by the 16th-century Florentine sculptor Giambologna. Below the dome is a replica of a carat diamond. This reputedly marks the point from where all highway distances between Havana and other destinations in Cuba are measured.

El Capitolio remains a striking landmark for those wandering around Havana; its huge dome is visible from almost anywhere in the city. Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana.

At the time of its construction in the s, it was the largest fort the Spanish had ever built, as well as the most costly. Following the British occupation, the Spanish set about building this imposing fort, which dominates the entrance to the Bay of Havana. La Cabana, as it is usually referred to, was used as a military prison during the Batista regime and later became the headquarters for Che Guevara following the Revolution. Today, the fort houses a few museums. The most impressive is the Museo de Comandancia del Che , with the office of Che Guevara preserved as it was during his time here.

Some of his personal items are also on display. During the day, the fort offers splendid views over the city and the sea.

Dating from , the Rationalist-style Palacio de Bellas Artes building is dedicated to Cuban Art from the 17th century to the present day. Here, you can admire an impressive collection of paintings, prints, and sculptures.

One of the highlights is the unique marble sculpture "Form, Space and Light" at the museum entrance. Paseo del Prado.

Considered by many to be the most beautiful street in Havana, the tree-lined Paseo del Prado bordering Old Havana deserves a leisurely stroll. The terrazzo, marble benches, bronze lions, and iron lampposts impart the feel of a grand boulevard from a bygone era, and indeed the street was once home to some of Havana's wealthiest families.

Elegant old cinemas, mansions, and hotels from the 19th and 20th century line the street, many of which have been carefully restored. Highlights include the Hotel Sevilla , with its Moorish styling; the home of Dr Carlos Finlay, the man who discovered that mosquitoes spread yellow fever; and Havana's most famous wedding chapel, the Palacio de los Matrimonios. Gran Teatro de La Habana. You might not expect to find one of the world's largest opera houses in the middle of the Caribbean, but the magnificent Gran Teatro de La Habana is just that.

Designed by Belgian architect, Paul Belau, the theater faces Parque Central and was built as part of a larger complex in Over the years, the Gran Teatro de La Habana has hosted a wide variety of performances by some of the most famous celebrities in the world. Today, the theater is home to Cuba's National Ballet and Opera. Try to catch a performance while you're here to truly appreciate its grandeur and excellent acoustics. Guided tours are also available. Calling all art lovers! If you're looking for some inspiration, this whimsical wonderland is one of the must-see places to visit in Cuba.

Decorating a small village on the outskirts of Havana, Fusterlandia is a complex of three-dimensional neighborhood art and a rhapsody of color and creativity. Affectionately known as the "Picasso of the Caribbean," Fuster even decorated neighbors' homes and bus shelters.

Stroll through the streets to see the vibrant creations popping out of houses and public areas, then visit Fuster's home studio, and see where he creates this multi-hued feast for the eyes.

Lobo hired people to find and purchase Napoleonic mementos and memorabilia for his personal collection. When Lobo left Cuba in , his collection was purchased by the Cuban government and is now housed in a beautiful building styled on a Florentine palace.

On display are personal items belonging to Napoleon, including one of his teeth and a lock of his hair. The Museo Napoleonico also contains Napoleon's death mask, a library of related topics, weaponry, and two portraits of the famous French military leader by Andrea Appiani and Antoine Gros. In total, the collection contains more than 7, pieces.

It is one of the finest collections of Napoleon artifacts outside of Europe. During a visit to Cuba, Pope John Paul II celebrated mass in this famous square, and more than a million people have gathered here for Castro's speeches. You can browse the small museum here or take the lift up the tower for panoramic city views. Government buildings surround the square, including the Ministry of the Interior building adorned with the iconic image of Che Guevara.