El Malecon (The Esplanade), Havana (must see)

The Malecón, also known as Maceo Avenue (Avenida de Maceo), is a long pathway, road, and barrier by the sea, spanning 8 kilometers (5 miles) along the shoreline of Havana. It starts from the entrance of Havana Harbor in Old Havana, runs alongside the north side of Centro Habana and Vedado neighborhoods, and ends at the mouth of the Almendares River. Recent economic reforms in Cuba have led to the emergence of new businesses along the Malecón, as private ownership is now permitted.

Along the Malecón, there are notable monuments honoring figures such as General Máximo Gomez, Antonio Maceo, General Calixto García, and the Victims of the USS Maine. At the junction with 23rd Street, the Malecón signifies the northeastern end of the La Rampa segment of 23rd Street in Vedado.

Within the Dignity Square (Plaza de la Dignidad) stands a statue of José Martí, while opposite the United States Embassy lies the José Martí Anti-Imperialist Platform.

Prominent landmarks include the Royal Force Castle (Castillo de la Real Fuerza), the Castle of San Salvador de la Punta (Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta), Malecón 17 (also known as Las Cariátides), and the Hotel Nacional.

There were several buildings, monuments, and geographical features that were a part of Barrio de San Lázaro, including the Tower of San Lázaro (Torreón de San Lázaro), The Charity House (La Casa de Beneficencia), Hospital de San Lázaro, the Espada Cemetery, the House for the Insane of San Dionisio (Casa de Dementes de San Dionisio), the Quarry of San Lázaro, the Queen's Battery (Batería de la Reina), the Santa Clara Battery, and the Hill of Taganana, among others.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Pedro Szekely.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Havana. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: El Malecon (The Esplanade)
Sight Location: Havana, Cuba (See walking tours in Havana)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Havana, Cuba

Create Your Own Walk in Havana

Creating your own self-guided walk in Havana is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Old Town Walking Tour

The Spanish founded Havana in 1519. After French pirate Jacques de Sores ransacked the city in 1555, the Castle of the Royal Force was built to protect the city.

Havana became a major stopping point between the newly discovered Americas and ancient Europe. In the 1600s, Havana was a major shipbuilding port.

Old Havana is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic city has five... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

Hemingway's Havana Walking Tour

Ever since Hemingway first visited Cuba in 1928 until his death in 1961, he felt an intense connection with the people and culture of Cuba. Hemingway lived at Hotel Ambos Mundos during the 1930s, and began, wrote, and finished several novels there. Today, you can see some of Hemingway's belongings in Room 511.

Hemingway was a frequent patron at El Floridita, famous for its daiquiris.... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles

Historical Churches and Cathedrals Walking Tour

Discovered and conquered by Spanish colonists in the early 16th century, Havana has turned into a major religious center of Catholicism in the Caribbean. Although a communist regime is currently in power, many of the churches, cathedrals, and other religious buildings have been preserved and still give a glimpse of the city’s religious heritage.

The old Havana Cathedral, located in a... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles

Old Palaces Walking Tour

Havana has been the seat of Cuba’s ruling gentry for centuries. Today, you can walk the streets of Old Havana and explore its palaces to get a glimpse into the city’s royal past. Although these structures now serve Havana’s citizens and visitors, they still catch your eye (and your camera lens!) with their architecture and history.

Start your trip with the ornate Presidential Palace,... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

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