Old Town Walking Tour (Self Guided), Havana

The Spanish founded Havana in 1519. After French pirate Jacques de Sores ransacked the city in 1555, the Castle of the Royal Force was built to protect the city.

Havana became a major stopping point between the newly discovered Americas and ancient Europe. In the 1600s, Havana was a major shipbuilding port.

Old Havana is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic city has five squares filled with gorgeous Baroque and neoclassical architecture. El Capitolio, or the National Capital Building, is the heart of Old Havana. Directions in Havana are given with distances measured from El Capitolio. People compare this stately building to the Pantheon and the U.S. Capitol.

Admire the 1777 Havana Cathedral with its asymmetrical bell towers. The Square of Arms is Havana's oldest square and connects all of Old Havana's oldest streets. The Castle of the Royal Force now holds a museum where you can see the original La Giraldilla weathervane figure.

The arches and stain glass windows in the many unique Old Square buildings are photo-worthy. You're invited to shop, drink cafecitos, and browse art galleries on the narrow cobblestone Bishop Street.

There's more than architecture to appreciate in Old Havana. Many visitors enjoy sipping mojitos at Bodeguita del Medio and studying the celebrity signatures on the walls. Check out Ernest Hemingway's room at Hotel Ambos Mundos, which remains as it was when the famous author lived there in the 1930s.

Havana is a beautiful city bursting with history and friendly locals. Join us on a self-guided walking tour to explore the most notable sights of Old Havana.