Parque Histórico Morro y Cabaña

Located across the Harbor Channel from Habana Vieja, this historic park of forts, battlements, and barracks was responsible for the protection of Havana for centuries. The complex is actually made up of 2 separate forts, or attractions: the Castillo del Morro (Morro Castle) and La Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña (San Carlos de la Cabaña Fort).

The Morro Castle, or 'El Morro' as it is most commonly known, is the first fort you'll come to after crossing under the harbor channel tunnel. Sitting on the point overlooking Havana's narrow harbor channel, it was built between 1589 and 1630 and served as an important line of defense against pirate attack and naval invasion.

In addition to its ramparts, barracks, and banks of cannons, El Morro has a series of exhibition rooms and mini-museums. You can walk the fort's ancient streets and even climb the still-functioning 19th-century lighthouse here. El Morro offers up excellent views of Havana and the curve of the Malecón, and there are several restaurant and bar offerings here.

About a kilometer away, and separated by a deep ravine, is the larger La Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña, more popularly referred to as simply 'la Cabaña'.

Built between 1764 and 1774, in response to the British invasion, the long fort is a miniature city, with a high perch overlooking the Harbor Channel and Habana Vieja. As at El Morro, there are several exhibition halls and a handful of restaurants, bars, and gift shops here. One of the more popular exhibition halls here is the Comandancia de Che Guevara, a room where the revolutionary leader briefly set up a command post after storming the fort in January 1959. Be sure to stop in at the cigar shop, which features the longest cigar in the world, an 11 m stogie that hangs above your head and is duly registered in the Guinness Book of World Records. There are separate entrance fees for each attraction.