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Several days will give you time to get under the skin of the colonial heart, La Habana Vieja, and explore the modern attractions of Vedado. You can tour iconic hotels, trawl Hemingway haunts and mobster hangouts, and visit top sights. By night, dine in one of Havana’s quirky eateries, from colonial mansions to humble apartments or movie sets, and revel habanero style in a potent cocktail of rum, pumping rumba and impassioned salsa. Dedicate the lion’s share of daytime activity to La Habana Vieja. Soak up the belle époque architecture and the city’s cast of characters on the Plaza de Armas. Head north to the Columbus Cathedral or stroll south to the faded glory of La Plaza Vieja, before heading west to the imposing dome of Capitolio. Escape the afternoon heat and explore the old town’s main artery, Calle Obispo. Wander into its back streets, watch some of Cuba’s famed artists at work, and stock pile Cuban music CDs, cigars and Havana Club. Inject some more rum and revelry, with live salsa and punchy cocktails at Obispo’s lively bars. Then take your pick of the museums. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Cuban section of the Museo Nacional Palacio de Bellas Artes. For the full revolutionary low down, head to the Museo de la Revolución. Less time is needed for the Partagás cigar tour, or develop a finer appreciation of the national drink at the rum museum. Allow a day to stroll Vedado’s boulevards, and take in the ethereal atmosphere of Cementerio Colón, and more doses of revolutionary iconography on the Plaza de La Revolución. For sweeter pleasures, engage with the locals as they wait to indulge in ice cream at Coppelia - used in the movie Fresa y Chocolate. For a taste of the fabulous fifties, wander up to the Hotel Nacional and out onto the terrace for one of the best cocktails with a view. For a less soft focus perspective on the city, amble the streets of Centro and on Sundays don’t miss the Peña Cultural in Callejón Hamel. Kick start the evening line-up with a daiquiri at the Inglaterra’s pavement café, El Louvre, and absorb the hullabaloo of Parque Central. Stroll the mystical Malecón as the sun goes down. Dine with the family at one of Vedado’s top paladares, then, late evening, head to the National Theatre for the refined musical extravaganza of El Delirio Habanero. Follow it up with supercharged salsa at Café Cantante Mi Habana nightclub. For international dining, head out to Miramar. Relax in the elegant courtyard of La Cocina de Liliam, and enjoy home cooking, before moving up a tempo at one of the top venues, Casa de la Música; El Tropical, for more raunchy salsa, or the Tropicana, the mother of all cabarets.
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