Art & Architecture are inextricably linked in Havana. During the walk through the oldest part of the city, you will discover the evolution of Old Havana and the distinct historical phases that it has lived through.
From $33.00 *per person (based on 6 people sharing a tour)
book nowArt & Architecture are inextricably linked in Havana. During the walk through the oldest part of the city, you will discover the evolution of Old Havana and the distinct historical phases that it has lived through—from the Spanish-colonial era to contemporary times. Guided by a local architect from Estudioabierto, you will be able to take in the ongoing phases of urban and architectural restoration and reconstruction.
The tour will commence with a look at one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in Havana, the Bacardi Building. Completed in 1930, the Bacardi Building was designed for the famous Bacardi rum company, now located in the United States. Continuing from Avenida de Bélgica, you will visit the prestigious Paseo del Prado, recently used as the Chanel Havana Runway. Along the stretch of the street, you will find historical buildings such as the Hotel Sevilla and the house of the former president of the Republic Jose Miguel Gomez. Located along parts of the promenade are more recently built hotels, providing the perfect combination of the colonial and the contemporary.
Moving on to the Arte Corte project and the Barber’s Alley, participants will have the opportunity to see how Cuban creativity has flourished on the city streets. A short stop at the first vintage boutique design shop Cladestina will allow you to shop or observe, before going on to the bustling San Jose Market located next to the Havana Bay. After crossing the Paseo de la Alameda de Paula, you will visit the various Colonial Squares Old Havana has to offer.
(This tour is only available for more than 2 people).
please note: Lunch costs are not included in the tour price.
Camila López Rodríguez, having graduated from the University of Havana with a degree in Art History in 2015, is a young professor at the Faculty of Arts and Literature at the University of Havana, as well as an Art Consultant for Cubartours. Focused on art studies, she has taught courses on Appreciation and History of Music and Cuban Music in the University, as well as having shared teaching opportunities in subjects such as Contemporary Universal Art and Cuban Art.
Her experience ranges from Student Assistant at the Faculty of Arts and Literature, (University of Havana) to Professor of the Department of Art History. She has also worked on book presentations, catalogues and other publications. She has been a participant in the Staff Organizers of some events such as the presentation of the book The Inevitable Space Alexandre Arrechea (Jaca), of Cristina Vives at the National Museum of Fine Arts. She has also written for some of the platforms of Cuban contemporary art and has worked with them. She has received various art courses taught by Cuban and foreign teachers as well as text editing.
In her work as an art history teacher, she has lectured at the Higher Institute of Art (ISA) as well as having taught a group of Austrian students at Multicine Infanta. Camila is a member of LASA (Latin American Studies Association) and participated in New York with a lecture at the 50th Anniversary Congress of this association. She is constantly updated and immersed in the Cuban art scene and has a theoretical and practical knowledge of what happens both with the already consecrated Cuban art and with the new emerging generations. Camila works as an Art Consultant with Cubartours.
Samuel Puentes is a young architect graduated in 2015 from the Institute Jose Antonio Echeverria. He has been involved in diverse projects that go from remodel spaces to conceive new spaces in the city. He collaborated with the Architect Kiovet Sanchez in the project of the Hostal Santa Clara in Old Havana, and inside the project Arte y Corte he had the opportunity to restructure the school Jinete Chullima for children who live in the oldest municipality of Havana. During 2015 he worked as a professor in the Summer Workshop at Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC). Puentes wrote the article “Boxing Cuba. From the Backyards to Word Championship” for the German magazine Hirmer Verlag. In 2016 with a group of young architects created Studio Abierto, dedicated to the development of investigations, national and international contests, social and private projects. Samuel have been teaching the history of architecture from its must diverse point of views always related with the history of Cuba.
Beatriz Laffita works as a professor at the University of Havana since 2009. She finished her studies in Art History at the same center, and was selected as one of the best students to be part of the team at the Faculty of Arts and Letters. She has been focused in African and Spanish art and also knows profundly the Cuban art through its differents periods.
Beside the Art History she has exprerience working with Audiovisual Studies and Artistic Culture Theory. Also she works as an art critic where she developed writing skills. Also she has publish articles related with cultural studies and made presentations for a diverse public.
Beatriz will guide the participants in the tours around the main museums, galleries and art spaces in Havana. Beatriz is fluent in Spanish, English, French and little of German.
From $33.00 *per person (based on 6 people sharing a tour)
book nowThe tour was incredible -the most enjoyable thing I did in Havana. The artists you guys chose were so interesting and it was nice to see the broad spectrum of art in Cuba. I'm so happy I booked this, all the girls were so friendly and knowledgeable.
Jasmine curated one of the most incredible arts experiences we've had. Anyone who is a genuine art lover and interested in connecting with the source of these works should go on a tour. It is truly an elevated experience--5 stars all around!
The tour was insightful and interesting. We had the rare experience to see works of art up close and personal, as well as the chance to discuss those works with the artists themselves. An experience I never would have had if it were not for this tour.