The four squares of Old Havana, on foot
The four squares of Old Havana (San Francisco, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas and Plaza de la Catedral) can be walked in one morning. From our door on Amargura Street, the farthest one is 9 minutes away.
This is the walk we recommend to guests at Amargura 62, in the order the squares appear as you leave the house.
Before you set out: Amargura Street
The street takes its name from the Stations of the Cross procession that walked it during Lent, and on the corner with Mercaderes, at the end of our block, one of the stone crosses from those stations still stands: the Cruz Verde (Green Cross). Look for it as you leave. Because the street is pedestrian and quiet, the walk starts without traffic.
1. Plaza de San Francisco · 1 minute away
It is one of the oldest squares in the city, and it is surrounded by the Convent of San Francisco de Asís, built between 1575 and 1591. On another side stands the Lonja del Comercio, from 1909, and at the far end the Sierra Maestra Terminal, where the cruise ships dock. The Fountain of the Lions, by the Italian sculptor Giuseppe Gaggini, dates from 1836.
It's the best one to start with: wide, open to the harbor and a minute from the house.
2. Plaza Vieja · 3 minutes away
It was born in 1559 under the name Plaza Nueva, as a popular alternative to the Plaza de Armas, which was the military and government center. Today it is surrounded by houses with balconies and arcades, cafés and terraces where there is often live music.
On one corner, at the top of the Gómez Vila building, is the camera obscura, 4 minutes from our door: it projects a view of the city from above. We don't give you a price or hours because they change: ask there or at the house.
3. Plaza de Armas · 7 minutes away
It is the oldest square in the city, next to the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (built from 1558 to 1577). On its east side is El Templete, inaugurated on March 19, 1828 to mark the spot where, according to tradition, Havana's first Mass and first town council meeting were held in 1519. The Palace of the Captains General, which faces the square, is now the City Museum. Among the trees there are usually stalls selling antique and secondhand books.
4. Plaza de la Catedral · 9 minutes away
It is the last one on the route and the most monumental. The Baroque cathedral was begun in 1748, as a Jesuit church, and around it stand 18th-century palaces and, today, also the Museum of Colonial Art and several restaurants. The square used to be a marsh that was drained to serve as a shipyard, and only later, with the cathedral, did it fill up with the great houses.
In the late afternoon, with the low light on the stone, is when it looks its best.
How long it takes and what time to go
- Just walking between squares: about 10 minutes from the first to the last.
- Taking your time, going into a church or museum: one morning.
- What time: early in the morning or late in the afternoon. At midday the heat is heavy and there are more people.
- What's on today: concerts, exhibitions and shows in each area, in the Agenda.
- Opening hours: those of the museums and the camera obscura change; check them before you go.
- What to bring: water, a hat, comfortable shoes and some cash. Since June 2026, Visa and Mastercard are not accepted: we explain it in money in Cuba.
Something to eat
If you get hungry along the way, our recommendation is the Venami pizzeria, on Monserrate Street, a 12-minute walk from the house.
And on the way back
From the Cathedral, the way back to the house is about 9 minutes. When you get in, the courtyard is in the shade and the roof terrace is waiting for the end of the day. If you use the Guest Portal, the map and the walks from Amargura Street stay saved on your phone, even without a connection.
We have four apartments, each one different, and they all share the courtyard and the roof terrace. You can see what the house is like in Where to stay in Havana. And after this morning, the rest of the day in What to see in Old Havana in one day.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to walk the four squares of Old Havana?
On foot, about 10 minutes from the first to the last. With stops to go inside and sit down, one morning.
What is the oldest square in Havana?
The Plaza de Armas.
How do you get to Plaza Vieja?
On foot, along the streets of the historic center. From Amargura Street it is 3 minutes.
Can you visit the camera obscura?
Yes, it is at the top of the Gómez Vila building, in Plaza Vieja. Check the hours and the price on site before you go.