Havana's vibrant Old Town is where the Cuban capital of today took root in the mid-16th century. UNESCO World Heritage Site status has brought about comprehensive restoration work to many of the city's crumbling architectural treasures, built in styles as wide-ranging as Cuban baroque and art nouveau (Plaza Vieja at the heart of Old Havana is where the eclecticism is most evident and best admired from a sidewalk cafe). The Old Town's two main pedestrian thoroughfares – Obispo and Mercaderes – are lined with government-run shops and attractive paladars.

Housed in a Grade II listed building in the heart of the city, the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery boasts over 40 galleries, each brimming with a diverse and world-class collection of art. From local talents to renowned international artists, the museum features over 800,000 objects that span various artistic periods. Delve into the captivating world of art, where Renaissance masterpieces coexist with contemporary creations. The collection encompasses not only traditional art but also an array of applied art forms, such as ceramics, jewellery, silverware, textiles, and woodwork, offering a comprehensive exploration of artistic expression across time and mediums.

Housed inside the former Presidential Palace and decorated by the world-famous Tiffany's, the Museo de la Revolución tells the – admittedly partial – story of the Cuban revolution, with explanations provided in both English and Spanish. Bullet holes remaining after a failed assassination attempt of the palace's last resident, former president Fulgencio Batista, are still clearly visible in the hall area.

Havana's waterfront boulevard – Malecón – is its most poetic stretch, a social hang out hub evocative of a welcoming Cuban living room (hence it being known to some as 'the world's longest sofa'). Waves crashing against Malecón's seawall can make quite the splash, at times virtually flooding parts of the boulevard, which hardly deters daily strollers from taking in its sublime sunset charm.