Vedado or Old Havana: Where to Stay in Havana
Anyone booking a casa particular in Havana (casas particulares are private rooms in Cuban homes) soon runs into the same question: Vedado or Old Havana? They are the two neighborhoods where most tourist homes are concentrated, they are only a few kilometers apart, and yet they offer very different stays. One is the historic center, with squares, churches and narrow streets. The other is a residential neighborhood of tree-lined streets, buildings from the 1930s and sea views.
This guide compares accommodation in Vedado and in Old Havana on what matters when choosing: atmosphere, noise, distance, safety, blackouts and type of home. There is no better neighborhood in the abstract, there is only a better one for your trip.
Cuba is going through an energy and supply crisis that affects the whole capital. Where the sources do not tell the two neighborhoods apart, we say so clearly instead of inventing a difference.
Old Havana: the historic center
Old Havana is the historic center of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is where you will find Plaza Vieja, Cathedral Square and Obispo Street, with plenty of foot traffic and music in the street. It is the neighborhood of museums, fortresses and colonial buildings, and also the one with the most tourists.
What it has going for it
- Everything on foot: squares, museums, restaurants and walks are a few minutes away, so you can do without a taxi.
- Atmosphere: very photogenic colonial architecture, street life and a wide choice of casas particulares.
- A very good base for a short first visit, to see the essentials of the city without traveling around.
What you need to keep in mind
- Noise: guidebooks mention street musicians, restoration works and activity until late. Ask which windows face the street.
- Old buildings: many are old buildings and some have stairs and no elevator, which is hard with luggage or reduced mobility. Check before booking.
- State of the surroundings: beauty coexists with deteriorated facades and uneven cobblestones.
Vedado: tree-lined streets and neighborhood life
Vedado is a more residential and orderly neighborhood, with streets laid out in a grid that make it easy to find your way around, with Art Deco houses and buildings, and also with the Malecón to the north. Here you will find 23rd Street (La Rampa), the Hotel Nacional, the Coppelia ice cream parlor, Revolution Square and the Colón Cemetery.
What it has going for it
- More peace and quiet and a neighborhood rhythm, with cafés, paladares (private restaurants) and galleries.
- Roomier homes, often with a garden, terrace or large rooms.
- A very good option for long stays, families or anyone who wants to rest and go out when they feel like it.
What you need to keep in mind
- Distance: to reach the colonial squares you will need a taxi or a long walk.
- Changing offer: some attractions in the neighborhood have closed or changed their hours. The Fábrica de Arte Cubano suspended its regular activity in June 2026, for example, and only opens for announced events. Always confirm before going.
Distance and travel time between the two neighborhoods
You can walk from one to the other in about 25 to 30 minutes along the Malecón, according to 2026 guidebooks, or take a short taxi ride. From José Martí airport, which is about 15 kilometers away, both neighborhoods are at a similar distance: between 25 and 40 minutes depending on traffic. For that first transfer, read the Terminal 3 guide.
Blackouts and safety: what the sources do not tell apart
Blackouts
In September 2026 there were blackouts on at least 23 days in Cuba and a total disconnection of the system on the 18th of that month. The press reported outages in Old Havana, Centro Habana and Plaza (where a good part of Vedado is located) in July, but no source establishes that one neighborhood suffers fewer outages than the other. What does change is the backup at each home: generator, solar panels with batteries, inverter and water pump. That is the question you should ask. We explain it in Casas particulares with generators in Cuba.
Safety
Spain speaks of frequent assaults on tourists in central areas of Havana, and Canada warns that theft and bag snatching are common in tourist areas, markets and beaches. Neither official source distinguishes one neighborhood from the other, and a travel blog that does is expressing an opinion, not official data. In both neighborhoods it is advisable to carry only the essentials, leave your passport at the house with a photocopy, and avoid showing your phone or cash. More details in Are casas particulares in Cuba safe?.
How to choose according to your trip
- First time and only a few days: Old Havana, to have everything on foot.
- Long stay, family or rest: Vedado, for the peace and quiet and the space.
- Reduced mobility or a lot of luggage: always ask about stairs and elevator before booking, in either neighborhood.
- Light sleeper: choose an interior room or one with a courtyard, in either neighborhood.
- A mix of both: you can combine a few days in each neighborhood. If you do not know where to start, see the itinerary for what to do in Havana in 3 days.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to stay in Vedado or in Old Havana?
It depends on the trip. Old Havana is better for seeing the essentials on foot in a few days. Vedado is quieter and tends to have roomier homes, ideal for long stays or for resting.
How far apart are Vedado and Old Havana?
About 25 to 30 minutes on foot along the Malecón, according to 2026 guidebooks, or a short taxi ride. You can combine them on the same trip without difficulty.
Which of the two neighborhoods is safer?
The official sources of Spain and Canada do not distinguish between neighborhoods and warn of frequent theft in tourist areas. In both, carry only the essentials and leave your passport at the house.
Are there fewer blackouts in Vedado or in Old Havana?
No source establishes it. There were outages in both areas, so what is decisive is the electrical backup at each home. Ask before booking.
How long does it take to get from the airport to each neighborhood?
José Martí airport is about 15 kilometers away and the trip to either neighborhood usually takes 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. The price is agreed before setting off.
What factors change the price of a casa particular in Havana?
The season, the type of accommodation (room, apartment or villa), the services (breakfast, air conditioning, electrical backup, water) and the area. Prices change within weeks: confirm them before paying.
Book in the neighborhood that best fits your trip
Both neighborhoods are good options, so choose by how you want to experience the city. You can see our homes in Old Havana and in Vedado, or browse all our accommodation in Havana. If you are torn between the two, write to us and we will check with the host.
