Havana – Museums & Universities

Havana offers more than 50 unique museums throughout the city, include those dedicated to politics, culture, science and more. Museums in the city are known to be well managed, with staff who are very eager to assist and can offer lots of additional insight to visitors seeking more information. Generally museums are less busy than what visitors may find in other destinations, allowing you to enjoy time to soak in the culture and history of Havana. Unique architecture is also visible, with many museums offering a glimpse into the various styles of design the Cuba is known for.

Museum of the Revolution

Formally titled the Museo de la Revolución, the museum is located in what was previously the Presidential Palace. The location only became a museum after the Cuban Revolution of 1959. It focuses on Cuban history, much of which is dedicated to the revolutionary war period of the 1950’s as well as post 1950 history. Visitors will also find various exhibits that showcase artifacts related to pre-revolutionary Cuba, including the War of Independence with Spain from 1895 to 1898. The outside of the museum includes exhibits that are always open for viewing and photography, including various tanks, rockets, plane and cars that had been used by Cuban revolutionaries.

Address: Refugio #1 e/ Avenida de las Misiones y Zulueta, Habana Vieja, Cuba
Phone: +53 7 8601524
Operating Hours:
– Monday 9:30am–4:00pm
– Tuesday 9:30am–4:00pm
– Wednesday 9:30am–4:00pm
– Thursday 9:30am–4:00pm
– Friday 9:30am–4:00pm
– Saturday 9:30am–4:00pm
– Sunday 9:30am–4:00pm
Admission Cost:
– $5 CUC
Website

Castillo de la Real Fuerza

Known in English as the Castle of the Royal Force, this bastion fort was originally built to defend against attacks by pirates. The fort is actually considered the oldest such stone fort in the Americas and part of the larger “Old Havana and its Fortifications”, a UNSECO World Heritage Site. The site of the Fuerza Vieja (Old Fort), the location was greatly damaged in a 1555 attack. The fort was later the home of the National Archive and National Library up to 1957. Castillo de la Real Fuerza reopened in 2010 as the premier maritime museum in Cuba. It houses models of ships, ancient navigational instruments, underwater artifacts, gold and silver from the colonial era and much more.

Address: Calle O’Reilly 2, Havana, Cuba
Phone: +53 7 8615010
Operating Hours:
– Monday Closed
– Tuesday 9:30am–5:00pm
– Wednesday 9:30am–5:00pm
– Thursday 9:30am–5:00pm
– Friday 9:30am–5:00pm
– Saturday 9:30am–5:00pm
– Sunday 9:30am–5:00pm
Admission Cost:
– Adults: $2 CUC
– Children under 12: FREE
Website

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

The National Museum of Fine Arts of Havana includes art collections that span from colonial times to the modern day. The museum was originally founded in 1913 and occupied various locations throughout Havana. The current museum includes two different buildings, with one dedicated to Cuban arts and the other to Universal arts. The Palace of Fine Arts focuses solely on Cuban art collections from the 17th to 19th centuries. The second building focuses on European paintings and sculptures, including various works of ancient art.

Address: Trocadero between Zulueta and Monserrate, Havana, Cuba
Phone: +53 7 8620140
Operating Hours:
– Monday Closed
– Tuesday 9:00am–4:00pm
– Wednesday 9:00am –4:00pm
– Thursday 9:00am – 4:00pm
– Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm
– Saturday 9:00am – 4:00pm
– Sunday 10:00am – 2:00pm
Admission Cost:
– FREE
Website

Universities

University of Havana

Located in the Vedado district, this is the oldest university in Cuba having been founded in 1728. The university offers 15 colleges and also various distance learning locations throughout Cuba. The main focal studies include Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities and Economic Sciences including a Faculty of Tourism. Re-opened in 1959 after the Cuban Revolution, the school includes more than 60,000 students across 25 unique specialties. The school is formally partnered with Rutgers University in the state of New Jersey with regards to research and exchange student opportunities.

Address: Calle San Lázaro esq. L. Vedado / Plaza Revolución, La Habana, Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba
Phone: +53 7 8791313
Website

Universidad de Oriente – Santiago de Cuba

Founded in 1947, this university offers 12 unique areas of study including in areas such as construction, medicine, social sciences, law, economics and others. It is the second largest university in the country and includes a professor faculty of over 2,000 teachers. Located in Santiago de Cuba, the university offers various distance learning programs and outreach opportunities for students located throughout Cuba, including in Havana.

Address: Avenida Patricio Lumumba S / N Santiago de Cuba. Cuba Postal Code 90500
Phone: +53 2 2633031
Website