Where to stay
Havana's Neighbourhoods Compared: Vedado, Centro or Habana Vieja?
Three neighbourhoods, three very different Havanas. How they compare on noise, walkability and price, and which one suits the way you travel.
Choosing your Havana
Where you stay in Havana decides what your mornings sound like, how far you walk to dinner and how much of the city you see without a taxi. Most first-time visitors choose between three neighbourhoods. Each is a short drive from the others, but they feel like different cities.
Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Old Havana is the historic core and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its four main squares, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza de San Francisco, sit within a few minutes' walk of each other, joined by narrow streets like Obispo and Mercaderes.
Noise: Busy from mid-morning until late. Live music, restaurant crowds and street vendors are part of the experience. Rooms facing an interior courtyard are noticeably quieter.
Walkability: Excellent. Much of the area is pedestrian-friendly and the main sights, museums and restaurants are all on foot.
Price: The highest of the three. Restored colonial casas with high ceilings and balconies are in demand, so book early in peak season.
Best for: First-timers on a short stay, travellers who want to step out the door into the sights, and anyone who loves colonial architecture.
Keep in mind: Many casas are on upper floors reached by steep stairs, and taxis often can't reach the door on pedestrian streets.
Centro Habana
Centro sits between Old Havana and Vedado. It is dense, residential and very much a working neighbourhood, with laundry on balconies, kids playing ball in the street and neighbours talking from doorways. It includes Havana's Chinatown (Barrio Chino), the Callejón de Hamel and a long stretch of the Malecón.
Noise: The liveliest for everyday sounds: music from open windows, street vendors calling out and traffic on the main avenues.
Walkability: Good. Old Havana is roughly a 15 to 25 minute walk, and the Malecón is close by. Some streets are uneven and poorly lit at night, so a taxi after dark is a sensible choice.
Price: Usually the best value of the three for location.
Best for: Budget-conscious travellers, photographers, and anyone who wants to see daily Havana life up close.
Keep in mind: Building upkeep varies a lot from street to street. Look closely at recent photos and reviews before you commit.
Vedado
Vedado was laid out in the early 20th century on a grid of tree-lined streets, with large houses, gardens and wide avenues. It is home to Calle 23 (La Rampa), the Coppelia ice-cream park, the University of Havana and many of the city's music venues and paladares.
Noise: The quietest overall, especially on residential side streets. Nightlife clusters around Calle 23 and the Malecón.
Walkability: Easy and pleasant within the neighbourhood, but Old Havana is a 40 to 60 minute walk. Most guests take a taxi for the 10 to 15 minute ride.
Price: Mid-range. You often get more space for your money, including larger rooms, terraces and gardens.
Best for: Longer stays, families, return visitors and travellers who want a calmer base with good restaurants and nightlife nearby.
Keep in mind: You'll spend a little on taxis each day if you plan to explore Old Havana often.
Side by Side
| Habana Vieja | Centro Habana | Vedado | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Historic, touristy, colonial | Local, dense, gritty | Leafy, residential, relaxed |
| Noise | High in the day and evening | High, everyday street life | Low to moderate |
| Walk to the main sights | On the doorstep | 15–25 minutes | 40–60 minutes |
| Relative price | Highest | Lowest | Mid-range |
| Room size | Smaller, often upper floors | Varies widely | Often larger, with outdoor space |
| Best for | Short first visits | Budget and local life | Longer stays and families |
Which One Suits You?
If you have two or three nights in Havana and it's your first visit, stay in Habana Vieja and spend your time on foot.
If you want the most character for your budget and don't mind some noise, choose Centro Habana.
If you're staying four nights or more, travelling with children or simply sleep lightly, choose Vedado and take short taxi rides into the old city.
Booking Tips for Havana Casas
- Ask whether your room faces the street or an interior courtyard. It makes a big difference to sleep.
- Confirm the floor level and whether there are stairs, especially in Habana Vieja and Centro.
- Ask about air conditioning, hot water and backup power during outages.
- Check whether breakfast is included and what it costs if not.
- Save the exact address and your host's phone number offline before you arrive, so your taxi driver can find the door.
Booking happens on our partner's site — we never take payments here.
Book Now
