Malecón

Malecón featuring a sunset, a bay or harbor and a city
Spend a day exploring this buzzing boulevard, stopping at attractions along the way. Enjoy afternoon views of the harbor before mixing with the nighttime revelers.

Malecón is a scenic 5-mile (8-kilometer) boulevard that flanks the northern coastline of Havana. Running through the Old Havana, Chinatown and Vedado districts, this iconic coastal promenade is surrounded by some of Cuba’s most historic and fascinating sites. Watch fishermen casting their nets and awaiting their catch on the edge of the esplanade.

Sit on the wall separating land from sea and watch people go by. Go jogging at sunrise before the heat of the day. Enjoy the view of the water and waves lapping against the protective wall. As the afternoon approaches, so does the rush of antique cars that take you back to a bygone era.

Get a sense of the local history as you inspect the various monuments on this long esplanade, construction of which began in 1901 when Cuba was under temporary U.S. sovereignty. See the poignant Monument to the Victims of the USS Maine, which pays tribute to American sailors killed by an onboard explosion.

Among the highlights of the boardwalk is the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a 16th-century fortress with cannons and mortars. Embark on a guided tour for a comprehensive history and visit the Navigation Museum, which is full of marine trinkets and historical context.

Visit the nearby San Salvador de la Punta Fortress and relax in its park, which contains larges squares of red tiles from the Spanish San Antonio ship. These fine examples of Spanish wealth and splendor are a stark contrast to the many crumbling buildings that line the road.

Stay on the esplanade into the evening to experience the lively social mood among locals and fellow vacationers. Enjoy cocktails and hot beverages from the cafés and bars along the strip. Note that prostitutes are known to work in certain parts of the boulevard.

The Malecón stretches across a large stretch of Havana’s northern coast, from the Vedado neighborhood to Havana Harbor. Ride a bus to one of the nearby stops, such as the Neptuno y Marquez Gonzalez station. Visit landmarks parallel to the esplanade, including the Galeria Galiano, the Museum of the Revolution and the National Theater of Guinol.

Plan a trip to see Malecón

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Grand Hotel Olympic
Baglioni Hotel Regina - The Leading Hotels of the World
Relais Manzoni

Reviews of Malecón

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
97
" "5 - Excellent 47.783251231527096%
4 - Good
78
" "4 - Good 38.423645320197046%
3 - Okay
21
" "3 - Okay 10.344827586206897%
2 - Disappointing
5
" "2 - Disappointing 2.4630541871921183%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 0.9852216748768473%

4/5 - Good

Dwight
Sep 20, 2019

Great place to hang out.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 11, 2019

be ready to walk along the wall- the view is great.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 20, 2019

Definitely find the time to walk the seawall at sunset.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 3, 2019

great walk along the shore - excellent sunset area

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