Free tour

Havana Unfiltered: Beyond the Postcard

4.87

Excellent(148)

Havana

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Languages: English and Spanish

Guru: Roly

PRO

Verified quality

Registered on 13 August 2019

👋 Hi! I'm Roly, a local guide in Havana 🇨🇺 Trained among cobblestones, legends, and real experiences, I'll accompany you to discover a city that's not just visited... it's felt 💫 📖 My tours combine history, myths, and personal experiences. I'll tell you about colonial fortresses, whispering alleys, and lived moments that make each step a scene with soul. 🚶‍♂️ There are no clients here, there are fellow travelers. If you come with curiosity and respect, I'll guide you like someone who opens their home, their history, and their heart ❤️ 🌆 Ready to discover a Havana that doesn't appear in the brochures? Let's go together! 🙌

Free reservation and cancellation

Pay-what-you-want tour, no set price, reservation and cancellation are free

Tour description

🌟 Free Tour of Old Havana – The city where every corner has a soul 🇨🇺

Welcome to Old Havana! More than a tour, it's a deep immersion in the history, culture, and energy of a timeless city.

On this tour you will discover:
- 📸 Colonial squares that tell centuries of history
- 🍹 Legendary bars where mojitos were born
- 🏛 Mansions and monuments that hide secrets from the past
- 🎶 Vibrant and authentic street life, unfiltered

I'll take you like a local friend: walking among legends, seeing how the Cuban people live with joy, resilience, and a wealth of creativity. This tour is perfect for curious young people, adventurers, backpackers, and storytelling lovers.

🗺 Places we will visit:
San Francisco de Asís Square, Old Square, Plaza de Armas, Cathedral Square, Obispo Street, Hotel Ambos Mundos, El Templete, Palace of the Captains-General, Bodeguita del Medio... and more surprises!

💬 Language: English
👟 Duration:Approximately 2 and a half hours
💰 Cost: Free — you decide how much to contribute in the end, if you enjoy the experience

✨ Ready to fall in love with Havana and walk its streets as if you were part of a story still being written?

Highlights

What will we see on this tour?

Meeting point:

Mercaderes, 4MQ2+F26, Obrapía, La Habana, Cuba

📍 Meeting Point: We'll meet at the small park located at the corner of Obrapía and Mercaderes, right next to the statue of Simón Bolívar. It's a quiet spot, easy to recognize by the bronze statue of the liberator. 👕 How to Recognize Me: I'll be wearing a red t-shirt, so you’ll spot me easily.

Outside visit

Plaza de Armas

🏛️ 1. Plaza de Armas (Outside Visit) The oldest square in Havana, dating back to 1519, Plaza de Armas is a leafy, tranquil space surrounded by colonial architecture. It’s home to the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, and a statue of Cuban independence hero Carlos Manuel de Céspedes. A secondhand book market often adds charm to the atmosphere

Free entry

Café Mercurio

☕ 2. Café Mercurio (Free Admission) Located beneath the Lonja del Comercio, Café Mercurio offers a relaxed Mediterranean vibe with views of Plaza de San Francisco. It’s a great spot to sip Cuban coffee or enjoy a light meal while soaking in the colonial surroundings. Ideal for informal meetings or a quiet break.

Outside visit

El Templete

🏛️ 3. El Templete (Outside Visit) This small neoclassical monument marks the legendary site of Havana’s founding in 1519. Inside, you’ll find murals by French artist Jean Baptiste Vermay and a revered ceiba tree, around which locals walk three times each November 16th to make a wish.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end the amount they consider appropriate (amounts usually range from €15 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).