The sumptuous Cathedral Square isthe focus of Old Havana life. Of particular interest in the Cathedral Square are the Cathedral, a baroque church, and the Museo de Arte Colonial, housed in a handsome pal­ace dating from 1622. Tourists linger at El Patio’s outdoor café, sipping coffee or mojitos and tapping their toes to Cuban son.

La Bodeguita del Medio is a must-visit, typical restaurant of Havana, and one of the most attractive tourist spots. Old Havana has been frequented by countless visitors, from well-known writers like Ernest Hemingway to important politicians. Its interior offers a typical Cuban atmosphere, as well as excellent music, Creole cuisine (slow-roasted pork, ropa vieja, black beans, yucca with mojo, tostones, arroz morro, etc) and a fantastic typical drink like the mojito. Following the initiative of Leandro García, a journalist who signed the restaurant’s wall, all famous people who visit the place do the same. They leave a memento there in the form of a print, a picture, an object, or some graffiti; it is even possible to find the signatures of some historical figures, like Salvador Allende, Ernest Hemingway, or Pablo Neruda. You can’t miss your chance to visit this place on your way through Habana Vieja. If you don’t book a table in advance you won’t probably have another chance to get one, but you will for sure enjoy an incredible atmosphere surrounded by Cuban history.

This square dates back to the first half of the 17th century. Its location, just a few metres from the bay, led to it becoming an important trading square over the years. It is said that around the year 1600 the first fountain of the city could be seen at this square. In 1836 it was replaced by a beautiful fountain made of white Carrara marble by Giuseppe Gaggini, under the good auspices of the Villanueva Count. This fountain is called Fuente de los Leones (Lions Fountain). On its paved area stand two noteworthy buildings: the Monastery and Basilica of San Francisco de Asís, which today houses the Museum of Religious Art and a concert hall. It is also where the Lonja del Comercio (Chamber of Commerce) is located, inspired by Spanish Renaissance architecture and topped by a dome on which a sculpture of the god Mercury stands. Among the houses built around the plaza, the house of the Arostegui family, residence of the Captain Generals until the completion of the City Hall at the end of the 18th century, was erected.

The Real Force Castle is located in Old Havana, in an attractive area of important architectural, urban, cultural and social values. This is the oldest fortress of the former fortification system of Havana and the Americas, which construction dates back to 1577. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. A replica of the La Giraldilla, the symbol of the city, can be seen on the highest tower of the castle (the original is in the Museum of the City). Since 2008, the Museo de Navegación (Maritime Museum) is located in the former moat of the Real Force Castle. This museum houses interesting exhibits detailing the history of the fortress and Old Havana, as well as its connections with the former Spanish Empire. It’s worth mentioning that huge scale model of the Santísima Trinidad galleon can be found here.