Old Havana on Foot

on foot

This experience will reveal why the old city of Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as you explore the city’s unique culture and way of life on foot.

Your guided walk begins with a visit to the Plaza de San Francisco de Asis, a cobbled square with a white marble fountain as its centrepiece. It was named after the former Franciscan convent located here, which has since been converted into a magnificent concert hall. It was once the core of commercial life in Havana and is home to two famous buildings: the Lonja del Comercio, with its stunning central dome; and one of the city's most important churches, Basilica Menor de San Francisco de Asis.

Continuing with your walk, you will pass the Plaza Vieja, which dates from 1559 and was once a residential neighbourhood for Cuba’s Creole community in colonial times. The square is peaceful today, but in the past, it was a venue for bullfights, religious processions, public executions, and fiestas, all of which the square’s inhabitants would have witnessed from their balconies. The buildings that surround the square today are fine examples of colonial architecture dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. Spend time admiring these iconic structures and discover more about the history of the area.

Following this, you will take a stroll along Calle Obispo. This street is home to the Hotel Ambos Mundos, famously patronised by Ernest Hemingway. Next, you will continue along Calle San Ignacio to the beautiful cathedral dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. You will have an opportunity to appreciate the facade of the Havana Cathedral, which is the seat of the Archbishop of Havana.

Following your walk, you will return to the port.