The Malecon, Havana

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This oceanside pedestrian walkway stretches all the way from the Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta in La Habana Vieja to the Almendares River that separates Vedado from Miramar. No trip to Havana is complete without at least some time spent strolling and lingering along the Malecón, which is the social center for a wide range of Cubans. Throughout the day, you'll see children swimming and men fishing off the coral outcroppings that border the walkway, and at night, you're sure to see lovers entwined on cozy perches and groups of revelers all along the seawall.

The section fronting Centro Habana is perhaps the most picturesque, with the crumbling facades and faded paint of neoclassical and neo-Moorish buildings and apartments lining the avenue that separates the Malecón from the city. If you've got the legs and time, a walk from the Hotel Nacional to La Habana Vieja (or vice versa) is in order, and should only take you about 20 to 25 minutes

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Something that cannot not impress you in Havana is its malecon, it's so long, with the sea at one side and all colonial architecture on the other one.
Swimming here is just dangerous as it's full of rocks and the sea is usually not quiet, but naturally locals do swimm and fish and have a pic nic in here.
All in all one of the place where to have a great view of the city.

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This seafront promenade is about 7km long & is lined many attractive buildings. Many of these were in need of repair, but I did see some restoration work going on. Whilst in Havana you must take a stroll along it, meeting the locals as they fish, sunbathe, drink & socialize. This seems to go on both day & night.

As my hotel was on the Malecon, I spent plenty of time here. All the people I met were friendly, most just smiling or saying hello. I was never pestered in any way. My two memories of the Malecon have to be the view at sunset of the colours of the buildings as the sun lit them up, also the sight of the waves crashing over the sea wall.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Havana. My favorite is to walk on the Malecon, Havana's extremely ocean promenade, and just buy a bottle of rum and sit down and talking to all the people that pass by.

The Malecon is a 7-kilometre sea wall in Havana Bay that runs along one of the main arteries of the city. It is an absolute must-see because it is so important to and ingrained in the pysche of Havana's residents. It's often called the "soul" of Havana.
The Malecon is exactly how fiction and non-fiction books describe it. Lovers sit cuddling together, locals play and fish, husslers hussle saying "Hey man, where do you come from?" , teenage jineteras cat-call and make dreamy eyes at tourist men (whether the guy's with his girlfriend or not!). One nasty girl in cutoff jeans spread her legs wide as I walked by. Yikes!
We sat down for a few minutes and enjoyed the incredible view of the bay. It's a strange, fantastic place. How can somewhere seem so dangerous and peaceful at the same time?
During the winter the sea breaks against the wall can crash water up over the wall onto the sidewalk.
The building of the Malecon was started in 1901 and parts were gradually added until 1923.
Locals use the Malecon a place for a quick swim, somewhere to fish, somewhere to party, and some still bring offers to the ancient gods. Kids play on the rocks between the wall and the ocean. Lovers use it as a romantic meeting place to sit, look out across the blue, watch the ships and the sunset, and relax.

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The Malecon is the seafront of Havana, and as my hotel was just off of it I waled along this promenade virtually every day. It was great fun seeing the rollers come in, and watching the locals having fun!

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Exposed to the vagaries of the open sea, the Malecon is a grand esplanande running for several kilometres from the Canal del Entrada to the new city. A mix of storms and neglect, however, have seen the grand colonnial buildings run into disrepair, with the wild seas frequently breaching the sea walls.

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Thats our favourite and themost romantic place in Havana. The Malecon- seafront promenade winds for 7 km alongside the city's historic quarters, from the colonial center to the skyscrapers of Vedado.

The Malecon is lined with buildings whose pastel hues have faded in the sun and saltu air. Its ashamed that nobody is renovating them. We could see the staircase, because one of the buildings was missing a front wall.

Malecon is a place where locals are mixed with tourist. Fishermen we met were very friendly. It was the most romantic sunset we have ever seen. Malecon will always stay in our memories as a place our love grow up and our first vacation together came true.

Walking along the Malecon you see this equestrian statue, a monument to Calixto Garcia. The statue was erected in 1959 and it honours a Cuban general which fight in 1898 independence war. Around the statue there are 24 bronze panels which tell all his battles
Paseando a lo largo del Malecon se puede ver esta estatua ecuestre, un monumento a Calixto Garcia. La estatua fue erigida en 1959 y rinde honores a un general cubano que lucho en la guerra de la independencia de 1898. Alrededor de la estatua hay 24 paneles de bronce que cuentan todas sus batallas

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If you have seen the movie Buena Vista Social Club, you surely remember the waves crashing down on the Malecon in the opening scenes and the first thing you'll probably want to do upon arriving in Havana is go for a walk on the Malecon. The Malecon is a huge sea wall that extends from the Vedado area to La Habana Vieja. On sunny days, you'll see old men fishing and young couples cuddling and kids waiting for the waves to come. On the other side of the street, you'll see some of the old beaten down villas that used to belong to rich American tourists (and mobsters). Of all the places we've been to in Havana, the Malecon is the only place where we didn't get hassled - people just go out there to relax and enjoy the view, and so should you!