The Paseo de Martí (Paseo del Prado)

If there’s one place that captures the spirit of Havana, it’s the Paseo de Martí. Originally called the Paseo del Prado, this was the first street built outside the old city walls, between 1772 and 1830. It was designed as Havana’s grand promenade — part of a trend sweeping Europe at the time, with inspiration drawn from wide, elegant boulevards like Regent Street in London and Barcelona’s famous Rambla. Stretching nearly two kilometers, from the city center to the Malecón seafront, the boulevard traces two centuries of history. It’s lined with iconic monuments and elegant colonial mansions, each one echoing a different chapter of Havana’s past. The Paseo is vibrant, artistic, and full of life — a beloved local landmark as much as a visitor favourite. As you wander from one side to the other, you’ll find that every corner reveals something new.