E x p l o r e t h e w o r l d. B r i n g i t s b e a u t y h o m e.
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E x p l o r e t h e w o r l d. B r i n g i t s b e a u t y h o m e.
There is something about Havana that is hard to put into words. Perhaps it’s the colourful old buildings, the beautifully aged American cars, the music coming from an open doorway or the sight of neighbours chatting in the streets. Havana has a personality all of its own! And that’s something worth bringing home.
So, let’s borrow a little of that Cuban colour, flavour and rhythm and find simple ways to enjoy a touch of Havana in our own homes – with good food, music, coffee and a few lovely decorating ideas.
One of the first things that catches your eye in Havana is the colour. Faded turquoise shutters, sunny yellow walls, soft pink facades and little splashes of blue seem to appear around every corner.
Even the peeling paint and weathered doorways have a certain charm. You don’t need to repaint your house or fill it with tropical decorations to recreate this look. A few colourful cushions, a painted flowerpot, fresh flowers or a pretty table setting can bring some of that cheerful Havana feeling into an ordinary day.
DID YOU KNOW: Havana was founded by the Spanish in 1519 and grew into an important port in the Spanish colonial world. Its natural harbor made it a valuable stopping point for ships travelling between the Americas and Europe. Fortresses were built around the harbor to protect the city, and many of these historic structures can still be seen today.
Havana is a wonderful source of colour inspiration. Think faded turquoise shutters, sunny yellow walls, coral-pink facades and little splashes of tropical green. You don’t need to redecorate an entire room to capture that cheerful Cuban look. Here are three easy ideas to bring a little Havana sunshine into your home.
Think painted wooden furniture, a turquoise flowerpot, colourful cushions or even a pretty blue serving tray. Turquoise is one of those colours that instantly brings a fresh, sunny feeling to a room.
Havana’s streets are full of beautiful combinations of coral, soft pink, yellow and faded orange. Bring these colours into your home with cushion covers, table runners, napkins or fresh flowers. You can start with just one colourful corner rather than changing everything.
Add leafy green plants, tropical flowers and terracotta pots. A little greenery against a warm-coloured wall creates a relaxed, summery atmosphere. Even a simple vase of bright flowers on the dining table can make a difference.
Closing thought: The secret is not to make your home look like a Cuban restaurant. It’s to borrow a little of Havana’s colour and cheerfulness and make it your own.
You don’t need expensive furniture or a complete makeover to give your living room a touch of Cuban character.
Think natural textures, old wooden furniture, woven baskets and a few colourful accessories. A rattan chair, a wooden coffee table or a collection of pretty ceramic pots can create a relaxed, welcoming space. Add a tropical plant, a colourful cushion and perhaps a framed photograph of a Havana street. The idea is to create a room that feels warm, lived-in and full of personality.
One of the easiest ways to bring a holiday feeling into your home is around the dining table.
Think colourful plates, bright napkins, fresh flowers and a bowl of tropical fruit. You could use turquoise or yellow tableware, add a few coral-coloured details and place a little greenery in a simple glass vase. Keep it relaxed and cheerful rather than perfectly matched. Then prepare something delicious, pour the coffee and invite everyone to sit down and enjoy the moment. A little Havana sunshine at your own table!
When visiting: Old Havana, known locally as La Habana Vieja, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its five historic squares, narrow streets, churches, arcades and balconies give visitors plenty to explore on foot.
Food is one of the loveliest ways to remember a place.
In Havana, the flavours are simple, colourful and full of character. Think slow-cooked meat, black beans and rice, sweet fried plantains and a little Cuban coffee to finish. You don’t need a Cuban kitchen or special equipment to enjoy these flavours at home. Start with one dish, try a new recipe and make it part of a relaxed family meal.
And don’t forget the coffee! A small cup of strong Cuban-style espresso is a lovely way to finish lunch or enjoy a little afternoon break.
Cuban coffee, traditionally called Café Cubano, is strong, sweet and served in small cups. It has a lovely caramel-coloured foam on top, called espumita. The good news is that you can make it in your South African kitchen without an expensive coffee machine.
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Makes: 2 small cups
1. Prepare your coffee: Use a stovetop moka pot if you have one. Add water to the bottom chamber, fill the coffee basket with finely ground coffee and assemble the pot.
2. Make the sweet coffee foam: As the first few drops of coffee come through, collect about one tablespoon in a small cup containing the sugar. Beat vigorously with a teaspoon until you have a thick, pale caramel-coloured paste. This is called espumita.
3. Finish the coffee: Allow the remaining coffee to brew. Slowly pour it into the sugar mixture, stirring until the foam becomes creamy and sits on top.
4. Serve: Pour into two small espresso cups. Cuban coffee is traditionally served in little portions, so take your time and enjoy it!
One thing you quickly notice in Havana is just how photogenic this city is. The old Spanish Colonial buildings, the colourful facades and those beautiful vintage American cars make you want to reach for your camera around every corner. It is easy to understand why Havana is such a popular Instagram spot!
Some of the buildings in Old Havana are quite weathered, with peeling paint, faded colours and years of wear showing on their facades. You might think they need a little attention, and many certainly do, but there is something lovely about the way they look. Then you come across a freshly painted, brightly coloured building right next to one that has seen better days. These little contrasts are part of what makes walking around Havana and photographing its streets so enjoyable.
The towering Capitol Building is a favorite photo opportunity that lays waiting, if you can get the right angle down an alley, you’ll have a fantastic photo.
My first impression of Havana was that it is a very old and, in places, rather tired-looking city. Some of the streets and buildings have clearly seen better days, and the people going about their daily lives in the narrow, street-art-filled alleys sometimes seemed just as weary. But you soon realise that there is much more to Havana than those first impressions.
Never judge a book by its cover! There is a beautiful side to the city, with colourful buildings, lovely ocean views, little street cafés and welcoming people. You just need to take the time to look beyond the first picture that Havana presents.
Music used to be everywhere in Havana. You can almost picture a little radio playing beside an open window, someone tapping their feet to a lively rhythm and the sound of guitars drifting out into the street. Cuban music has a wonderful way of making an ordinary afternoon feel like a celebration.
You can bring some of that atmosphere into your own home with a Cuban music playlist. Play it while preparing dinner, enjoying a cup of coffee or having friends over for a relaxed evening.
Here are a few lovely starting points:
Son Cubano: One of Cuba’s best-known traditional music styles, with guitars, percussion and a wonderfully infectious rhythm.
Salsa: Lively, colourful music that is perfect for a cheerful get-together.
Bolero: Slower, romantic Cuban music, lovely for a quiet evening.
Rumba Cubana: Energetic Afro-Cuban rhythms with plenty of percussion and movement.
Buena Vista Social Club – a wonderful introduction to traditional Cuban sounds.
Compay Segundo – famous for his distinctive voice and Cuban son music.
Ibrahim Ferrer – beautiful, warm vocals.
Omara Portuondo – a wonderful Cuban singer.
Celia Cruz – an energetic salsa legend.
A little idea: Put together your own Havana at Home playlist. Add some Cuban music, make a small pot of coffee and enjoy a lazy afternoon. You might even find yourself dancing around the kitchen!
A mojito is one of those drinks that immediately brings a little Cuban sunshine to mind. Made with fresh mint, lime, sugar, white rum and sparkling water, it is cool, refreshing and wonderfully simple to prepare at home. It is closely associated with Havana, where you can imagine enjoying one at a little outdoor table, with lively music in the background and the warm Cuban air all around you. Here is an easy mojito recipe to bring a taste of Havana to your own home: Read more….
You don’t need much to create a lovely Cuban-inspired evening. Put on some Cuban music, prepare a few small snacks, make your mojitos and set the table with colourful plates, fresh flowers and perhaps a bowl of tropical fruit. Add a few candles as the evening draws in, and let the music set the mood.
It is a simple way to enjoy the colours, flavours and lively spirit of Havana from your own home.
Did you know that the Daiquiri was named after the district Daiquiri in Cuba where rum is produced?
This famous cocktail made with rum, crushed ice and lemon juice is one of the most traditional drinks you can have in Havana.
The vintage cars: Those beautiful old American cars are among Havana’s most recognisable sights. They add a distinctive splash of colour to the city’s streets.
El Floridita: Floridita or El Floridita bar in Havana (La Habana Vieja), – One of Havana’s best-known cocktail bars, closely associated with Ernest Hemingway and its famous frozen Daiquiri. (That is why they have a life-size bronze statue of him positioned in his favorite spot at the end of the bar.) A Daiquiri is a wonderful little piece of Havana’s story. The cocktail originated in Cuba, but it became internationally famous through Havana’s cocktail bars, particularly El Floridita.
Some places stay in your thoughts because of the little things you remember: the colours in the streets, the sound of music drifting through an open window, a lovely cup of coffee or a refreshing mojito shared with friends. Havana has plenty of those moments.
You can bring a little of that feeling into your own home with colorful touches, Cuban music, good food and simple recipes inspired by the city. You may be thousands of kilometers from Cuba, but a little of those Havana sunshine memories can still find its way into your everyday life.
Three squares deserve a place on your walking route:
Plaza Vieja – A charming square with colourful buildings, cafés and outdoor tables.
Plaza de la Catedral – Home to Havana Cathedral and some of the city’s most recognisable architecture.
Plaza de San Francisco de Asís – A lovely harbour-side square with an impressive old church and fountain.
These squares are close enough to explore together, making this an enjoyable way to spend a morning.
2. El Capitolio is one of Havana’s most recognizable landmarks. Its enormous dome and impressive neoclassical architecture make it a wonderful photographic stop. The building was completed in 1929 and originally housed Cuba’s legislature. Visitors can also investigate guided visits to see its impressive interior.
3. A ride in one of Havana’s colourful old American cars is a memorable way to see the city. Many date back to the 1940s and 1950s, and their polished bodies and beautiful colours make them almost as much a part of Havana’s scenery as the buildings themselves.
Arrange a reputable, licensed driver and agree on the route, duration and price before setting off.
4. El Malecón is Havana’s famous seafront promenade, stretching for approximately eight kilometres along the northern coastline. It is a wonderful place to watch the Atlantic waves, admire the old buildings and see everyday Havana life unfold. Late afternoon is particularly lovely, when the light softens and the waterfront becomes a popular gathering place.
5. For something completely different, visit Fusterlandia in the Jaimanitas neighborhood. Artist José Fuster transformed his home and surrounding area with colourful mosaics, tiled walls, sculptures and imaginative decorations. It is a cheerful, unusual place to explore and offers some wonderful photographs.
6. Try the Classic Cuban Drinks: No visit to Havana feels quite complete without discovering the story of the Daiquiri.
7. Try some traditional food: Food is an important part of discovering Havana. Look out for:
Ropa Vieja: Slow-cooked shredded beef in a tomato-based sauce.
Moros y Cristianos: Rice cooked with black beans.
Tostones: Fried, flattened green plantains.
Cuban Sandwich: A toasted sandwich filled with pork, ham, cheese, pickles and mustard.
And, of course, don’t leave without trying a proper Cuban coffee!
If you “lost your heart in Havana”, as the song says, you might still be able to get a bit of Havana @ home.
Havana remains fascinating to explore, but travelling in Cuba currently requires more preparation than many visitors expect. Power interruptions, fuel shortages and changes to local services can affect transport, restaurants and attractions. Check opening arrangements before setting out, carry some cash, arrange reliable transport and keep valuables secure.
