Museum of the Revolution

If you only have time for one museum in Havana, make it this one. Since 1959, the Museum of the Revolution has been the perfect place to understand Cuba’s complex history — from colonial rule and dictatorship to the fight for liberation. The paid exhibition highlights key national figures Fidel Castro, José Martí, and Che Guevara. The building itself is also historically significant, as it’s the former Presidential Palace, built between 1913 and 1920. Fulgencio Batista was the last president to live there. You can still see the bullet holes in the marble staircase of the entrance hall, serving as a reminder of the 1957 student-led attack on the palace in an attempt to overthrow Batista. The architecture is nothing short of stunning — especially inside, where you can discover its grand dome, the Salón de los Espejos, or the Hall of Mirrors, and the lavish interior design created by none other than Tiffany & Co. Step outside, and the museum continues. Around the grounds, you’ll find artifacts from different moments in Cuban history: a fragment of Havana’s old city wall, historic vehicles, and military equipment. You’ll even find Fidel Castro’s tank from the 1961 Bay of Pigs battle, and an old postal truck used as a getaway vehicle during the 1957 attack.