Flights to Havana with Air France from GBP 555*

* The displayed prices are applicable for one adult. All amounts are in GBP including taxes and surcharges, except where taxes are collected locally at the airport. A booking fee is not applicable, but a payment surcharge may apply. Prices and availability are subject to change without notice, see Air France Price Display for more information.

Havana, the heart of Cuba

As if frozen in time, Havana is a concentration of Cuban culture and history. It is the country's administrative, cultural and economic capital, mainly for its port activity. Like all of Cuba, Havana is a blend of years of Spanish colonisation and slavery. When we speak of Cuba and Havana, we often think of cigars and music. The storybook image is not totally wrong. Music has a major place in Cuban life. It is everywhere: in the streets, restaurants, ceremonies, etc. Havana is the world's capital for the salsa. When you walk through the streets of the Cuban capital, you will see signs of its past and observe today's extremely dynamic and friendly population.

Explore Havana

You must visit Havana if you take a trip to Cuba. Go to Habana Vieja, the Cuban capital's old city. The plaza de las armas, with the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, is a good starting point for an excursion into Havana's past. The visitor can admire the old colonial homes. The old city has some major museums, such as the Museum of the Revolution and the Fine Arts Museum.

An important trade port from the 16th century, Havana was often attacked by pirates over the years. Many defence buildings were built such as the El Morro Castle or the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fort which overlook Havana. The Real Fuerza Castle is also one of the symbols from this period. It is on UNESCO's World Heritage list.

Havana has many religious buildings. Havana's Saint Christopher Cathedral and the statue of Christ are must-see sites to visit.

Havana has many special cultural events, such as the Plaza Jazz Festival or the Festival del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano. The Vedado quarter also has many museums. Some of the homes, such as those belonging to the Marquis de Aguas Claras or the Count of Jaruco, are open for visitors to admire the architecture of the 18th century upper class in Cuba.

There is nothing better than a walk through the Vedado quarter, one of the most animated in Havana.

Discover Cuba

Havana is far from being the only city worth a visit. During your stay in Cuba, don't miss visiting:

• Santiago de Cuba, its beaches and heritage.
• Pinar del Rio for its nature reserves,
• Trinidad de Cuba, museum city with picturesque buildings,
• Varadero, a famous beach where you can soak up the sun in Cuba,
• Cienfuegos, for its eclectic architectural treasures,
• Holguin, its mountains and paradise beaches.

Cuba enables you to mix cultural tourism with nature walks. The largest island in the Caribbean is not the only one in the country. Cuba is composed of many islands and islets that have white sandy beaches and turquoise water.

Practical information about Havana and Cuba

Cuba, like most of the islands in the Caribbean, has a tropical climate. Before reserving a plane ticket, make sure that you find out when the best time to travel is. The dry season, from November to March, is usually considered to be the tourist season. Some summer months, like August, can also be quite pleasant.

Cuba has two currencies: the Cuban peso and the convertible Cuban peso. The latter is used by tourists. You should carry some of this currency before you leave in order to pay certain airport taxes.