Malecón

About this place

The Malecón, officially Avenida de Maceo, is a broad road, esplanade and seawall running 8 km along the Havana coast. It starts at the harbour mouth in Old Havana and passes Centro Habana and Vedado before ending at the mouth of the Almendares River. It is the best-known place for people to gather, sitting on the wall and talking in front of the sea. Work began in 1901 during temporary US military rule, with protection from the sea as its main purpose, above all from the waves that cold fronts whip up against the house fronts. To mark the first 500 metres, a roundabout was built where it meets the Paseo del Prado, and bands played Cuban melodies there every Sunday. On the sea side runs a long concrete wall above rocks where waves break. On the other side stands a row of old fronts with arcades and balconies, some restored and some eaten by salt. Old American cars in bright colours pass along the road. Morro Castle shows on the skyline at the end of the harbour, and sunset is the finest time. It is about 2.5 km from the Capitol in a straight line and about 3 km from Morro Castle. Walk a short stretch and then take a taxi, as the road is long and has no shade. Waves can cover the road during cold fronts, so keep away from the wall then. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Cuba because of fuel, power and water shortages, so read the current advice before you plan.