When visiting, stop by one or all of the five plazas left behind by the Spanish, including Plaza de Armas, and marvel at the walls of the city's fortifications, including the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the first stone fortification built in the Americas. Although the Spaniards' occupation eventually came to an end, they left behind a significant architectural style. Often called the "Key to the New World," Havana was attractive for offering access to the Atlantic, which made shipping new riches from the Americas back to Spain an easy feat. In the beginning of its heyday, Old Havana was a thriving port town owned by the Spanish. The perimeters of Old Havana are actually the old borders of the city present in the 16th century. The neighborhood is also brimming with equally picturesque cobblestone-lined plazas, automobiles that look like they belong in museums and throngs of equally interesting people, whether they be Cuban street entertainers or awestruck world travelers.
Walking through Old Havana, you'll see a plethora of architectural styles, including baroque and neoclassical design elements, decorated in the brightest of colors. In the early 1980s, Old Havana was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, thanks to the impressive preservation of some of the area's centuries-old architecture. This picturesque neighborhood is not just iconic to Havana and Cuba, but also to the world. Skipping Old Havana is tantamount to missing Parliament if you're in London or the Eiffel Tower if you're in Paris.
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