With seaside views, incredible restaurants, historical landmarks, and visitors from all walks of life, the Malecon in Havana is a must-visit while exploring Cuba. This long promenade and roadway is one of the best places to escape the buzz of the city streets and enjoy a more relaxed version of Havana. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about the Malecon in Havana, Cuba.
What is the Malecon?
Located in Havana, the Malecon is a lovely maritime promenade, seawall, and pavement, about eight kilometres long. The Malecon was originally built to protect Havana from stormy seas and high tides. Its seawall was first constructed in the early 1900s and was then expanded in the 1920s, 30s, and 50s. Because sea levels are currently rising, plans are being discussed to potentially enlarge the height of this wall.
The official road name of the Malecon is Avenida de Maceo, named after the second-in-command of the Cuban Army of Independence during the late 1800s, José Antonio de la Caridad Maceo y Grajales. This is one of the most famous roadways in all of Cuba, and it’s also home to some of the best hotels in Havana! Along this promenade, visitors can marvel at the incredible architecture along the way, featuring a blend of Art Nouveau and Neoclassical design.
What do people usually do on the Malecon?
The Malecon runs along the northern side of Havana’s central historic districts, spanning from the Havana Harbour in Old Havana to El Vedado, Havana’s modern downtown area. In this way, the Malecon connects old and new, giving visitors the best of both worlds.
Along this promenade, you’ll see tourists and locals grabbing lunch at the local cafes, cruising in classic cars, strolling along the waterfront, or catching fresh seafood for dinner. This bustling sidewalk is lined with some of the best places to eat in Havana, including La Casa and El Aljibe.
You can also find several family-owned restaurants, ice cream shops, and historical landmarks on the Malecon. While all of El Malecon is a Cuban national monument, some other notable landmarks along this avenue include the Castle of the Royal Force, the Monument to the Victims of the USS Maine, and La Plaza de la Catedral.
Nearby, you’ll find El Paseo del Prado, a charming roundabout where locals and tourists enjoy wandering and dancing to live Cuban music. The Miramar Hotel, an incredible example of 1930s architecture, is situated next to El Paseo del Prado. It is clear you’ll never run out of places to explore near Malecon.
Most of this five-mile seawall functions as a space for relaxing, sitting, or lying down while taking in the tranquility of the water. Because of this, the locals often refer to it as el sofá más largo del mundo, meaning “the world’s longest sofa.”
On summer nights, this promenade has an unparalleled atmosphere due to the carnival. Visitors and locals from different walks of life, ethnicities, and traditions come together to celebrate with floats, dancing, and a blend of traditional drums, salsa music, and modern reggaeton.
This vibrant avenue has the best of everything, from traditional culture and food to ocean views, history, and modern hotels.
5 Fun Facts about Havana’s Malecon
The name “El Malecon” came from Havana’s residents.
While this street was initially named “Gulf Avenue” when it was first constructed in the early 1900s, it wasn’t long before the locals nicknamed it “El Malecon.” In English, Malecon means “seawall.” Technically, this stretch of pavement consists of many different avenues, but locally, the entire area is referred to as “El Malecon.”
It’s a sacred place for those who practice Santeria.
Many Havana locals practice a religion called Santeria. For many Santerians, the Malecon is a place where they throw offerings to the goddess, Yemayá-Asesú, who they believe inhabits the seashore. Usually, offerings consist of seven small coins. If the sea is stormy, Santerians believe that Yemayá-Olokun, a goddess that dwells in the deepest parts of the sea, is angry.
It’s an incredible fishing spot.
Certain locations along this seawall are some of the best places to catch fish in Cuba. Many locals have been fishing here their entire lives, and often use what they catch to cook dinner. For local Cubans, fishing isn’t just for fun – it’s a way to bring fresh catch home.
Three major cocktails have been named after this promenade.
One of the first printed documents detailing the Malecon cocktail was published in Bartender’s Manual by John Escalante in 1915. The ingredients included vermouth, cognac, Angostura bitters, sugar syrup, and a strawberry garnish.
Another cocktail named after the Malecon was developed in the United States and featured in Crosby Gaige’s Cocktail Guide and Ladies’ Companion. For this version, the ingredients included white rum, dry gin, apricot brandy, and Swedish Punsch.
In 2007, yet another Malecon cocktail was developed in London at the Connaught Bar. After bartender Eric Lorincz visited Havana, he was inspired to create this drink, which included port, sherry, rum, caster sugar, Peychaud Bitters, and lime juice.
You might hear a loud bang at 9 pm.
Hundreds of years ago, a ceremony was initiated at the Cabana fortress to mark the closure of the city gates. This ceremony started the tradition of a nightly cannon blast at 9 pm on the dot. While this bang no longer marks the closing of the city gates, it is now done out of tradition. The Cabana fortress is located across the bay from Malecon, but the blast is so loud that you’ll be able to hear it from anywhere in the area.
Sometimes, the road is closed to vehicles.
While this classic road is known for cruising classic cars, it is occasionally only open to pedestrians. It often closes for parades, festivals, and celebrations. Other times, it closes due to rough seas, which can splash water over the wall. Although it’s a fun sight to see up close, be prepared to change your clothes after getting sprayed! With less noise from vehicles, walking along El Malecon is definitely a unique experience.
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