Which district should you stay in when you visit Havana? Here are our recommendations

A guide to Havana's most central districts

Choosing the right neighbourhood to stay in when you visit Havana without ever having been there before is not easy. Like any city, there are areas that are better to stay in than others, both in terms of cost and in terms of convenience for getting around the city and visiting the main places of interest.

This article is designed to help you make a decision more easily and we aim to highlight the positives about some of Havana's neighbourhoods so that you can organise your next trip more effectively.

Read also: 10 reasons to take a trip to Cuba

HAVANA VIEJA

This district includes the old part of the city, which has a lot of history and character and there is a big choice of hostels here. Havana Vieja, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is definitely one of the most convenient neighbourhoods and is ideal if you want to fully enjoy the culture and traditions of this city.

If you stay in Havana Vieja you will be close to: Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza Vieja, The Castillo de la Real Fuerza, The Castillo del Morro and Calle Obispo.

A tip for your stay in Havana Vieja: Yuliet Y Erik is a small guest house, where Yuliet and Erik (the two owners) have 2 rooms for rent. The location is perfect, close to everything and the owners are incredibly helpful. The price is also a point in their favour: 12 EUR per night per person.

CENTRAL HAVANA

As the name suggests, this area is centrally located and is the true heart of the city. If you're a fan of street art, you will not be disappointed with a stay here. Although this neighbourhood has not been restored like Havana Vieja, it is still worth a visit for its characteristic streets.

The nightlife here, compared to the previous quarter is more lively plus you will be close to the Museo de la Revolucion, the Capitolio Nacional de Cuba, the Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagas, el Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the Paseo de Martí and Castillo de San Salvador de La Punta.

A tip for your stay in Central Havana: The Paradise Backpacker Hostel is a hostel with 5 bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. Its location is central, which allows you to reach the Old Havana district on foot, as well as Chinatown and Vedado.

The price is a little higher than the previous option but still comes in at under 20 Euros per person, per night.

VEDADO

You may have heard of this famous neighbourhood that is the most avant-garde of Havana's districts. Combining the best of old and new, the nightlife here is the envy of the whole city for its beautiful bars and pubs.

If you stay here you will be close to the Plaza de la Revolucion, the political heart of the city, and La Rampa, the long road leading up to the Malecón.

A tip for staying in Vedado: Casa Karlita is just 100m from the famous University of Havana and is a hostel that offers single or double rooms just a 15-minute walk from Havana Vieja.

The price per night is about 13 Euros per person.

BARRIO CHINO

Chinatown in Havana is located between Havana Vieja and Central Havana and is easy to recognise thanks to the large Chinese gate that marks its entrance.

The first Chinese immigrants arrived in Cuba in 1800 to work in the sugar industry, but at the end of the century, the Cuban government became aware of the potential for tourism in this neighbourhood and decided to invest in it and make it what it is today: an area rich in tradition and secrets which have been handed down for generations.

This district is an excellent area to stay in for its central location and touristy nature.

A tip for staying in Barrio Chino: Casa De Jany And Isabel is a guest house in the heart of Chinatown, with 2 rooms.

The price per night is very low, especially if you take account of its proximity to the House of Music, Central Park and the Capitolio Nacional.