Where to Find the Best Views in Havana, Cuba
TPG Contributor Lori Zaino highlights some of the best spots in Cuba's capital city where you can enjoy views of Havana from above. (All photos are by Darrel Hunter unless otherwise specified).
1. Bar Piscina Mirador at Hotel Saratoga
This spot is ideal if you want to take in some amazing Havana views while soaking up some serious Cuban sunshine. The rooftop pool and lounge area has chairs where you can lay out, as well as cabanas and tables for ordering food and drinks. The crowd is a mixed bunch of young, hip and refined folks, while the vibe is hopping both day and night. The best part? Cocktails run just 4 CUC and food prices are just as reasonable. Head on up from the lobby and order some food or drinks if you aren't a guest at the hotel.
2. The Bacardi Building
Havana's iconic Bacardi Building dates back to 1930 and was once the city's tallest skyscraper at 12 stories high. The art deco-style building housed the company's rum-making operations until 1960 — Bacardi later re-grouped and its factory now resides in Puerto Rico.
The building still stands, and for just 1 CUC, you can take the elevator and climb the dilapidated staircase up to the roof, which offers 360-degree views of the city skyline and sea below. The only bad thing? Ironically, you can't sip a Bacardi cocktail while admiring the view, as the rooftop is just a lookout point — for now.
3. La Guarida's Rooftop Bar
La Guarida is known for being one of the coolest restaurants in Havana, but what many don't know is that there's a rooftop bar just a few floors up from the restaurant. Make a reservation for dinner, then head upstairs to enjoy the rooftop bar — if you can't manage to get in to eat, grab a quick drink at the restaurant's bar before heading up.
You may as well be in Miami when you enter the bar, as the low lighting, sassy music and inviting sofa seating is uber-trendy. Late at night you won't be able to see many landmarks, but the sparkling night skyline makes for a very sexy scene as you sip your Santiago de Cuba 7 Años rum on ice.
4. Hotel Ambos Mundos
Known as the Mirador of Old Havana, this hotel rooftop is one of the most famous in the city thanks to a famous special guest, Ernest Hemingway, who stayed at the hotel as a long-term tenant for just $1.50 per night back in the 1930s.
Take a tour of his room on the fifth floor for approximately 2-3 CUC (ask at reception), for a look at the place where he reportedly wrote For Whom The Bell Tolls, then head up to to the roof to admire the view and relax with a drink. Roof access is free as long as you're planning on ordering drinks.
5. The Christ of Havana Statue on La Cabaña Hill
Head up to Cabaña Hill to visit Havana's take on Brazil's Christ the Redeemer, rumored to be one of the largest statues in the world sculpted by a female at 20 meters (nearly 66 feet) high.
In addition to admiring the statue, you can also take in views of Old Havana's docks and other colorful city scenes across the water. Afterward, head over to Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña, an 18th-century castle complex overlooking the ocean.
6. El Cocinero
El Cocinero is a bar and tapas restaurant located in the city's Vedado neighborhood. It's tall chimney smokestack reminds visitors that this trendy spot filled with Havana's elite was once an oil factory. The restaurant offers some of the best margaritas in town and offers various outdoor seating on the second and third floor patios.
Head up the metal spiral staircase — before downing too many margaritas — to check out gorgeous views of residential Vedado and peer up the smokestack to see the unique lighting the restaurant has installed inside it. Note that you must be drinking or dining at the restaurant to access the roof area. Reservations are recommend if you'd like to sit at a table and not at the bar.
7. La Moneda Cubana
One of Old Havana's best lunch spots, La Moneda Cubana sports a small and charming rooftop, perfect for a lunch of fresh seafood while checking out the view — you can also dine to the tunes of live salsa music. No reservations are needed; just head upstairs and ask to be seated. Note that many of the umbrella-covered tables are taken by midday, so you'll have to sit in the sun or perhaps wait for a shady table.
Have you visited any of these rooftops or others in Havana? Feel free to share in the comments section below.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.