See & do · Landmarks & architecture
El Capitolio
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Images provided by Google Places
Built in 1929, this elegant municipal building features a sizable, domed cupola & a central portico.via Google
The majestic, recently restored capitol building, modeled after the US Capitol but slightly larger, featuring a massive bronze statue inside.
- Good to know
- Guided tours are available inside, requiring passport registration.
Reviews from Google
El Capitolio is a stunning and iconic landmark in Havana. The architecture is breathtaking, inside and out, and it beautifully reflects Cuba’s history and culture. A must-visit spot when in Cuba. 🇨🇺
An interesting place full of rich culture and history. we took a guided tour through havana and experienced a ride around town in a classic car. some locals were very pushy trying to sell things and my husband got approached by a drug dealer but the tour guide was helpful in asking them to leave us be.
I have been to many capitols and this one is breathtakingly gorgeous. Our English-speaking tour guide Jorge was absolutely wonderful - he’s very knowledgeable, personable, and also a hilarious comedian. He had our whole group laughing. Great way to learn. I recommend getting to the ticket office across the street a solid half hour or more before the tour starts because there can be a bit of a line to buy a ticket. Also you need a picture or actual passport, and they don’t accept cash (as an American with credit cards that don’t work here supposedly, I gave cash to another person in line and they bought my ticket with their card. Good work around). All in all, highly recommend the tour, and especially tour guide Jorge.
Lots of history here. Ask about the diamond that is missing. I was able to visit in 2018 and everything was still open.
One of the most beautiful buildings in Havana. Especially now, when it has been restored (and restored excellently). The Capitol was built in 1929 under President Gerardo Machado. It is curious that the image of the sitting president was featured in the reliefs inside the building, but in 1933 Machado was overthrown, and his image was erased (and erased rather carelessly, with little concern for the appearance). The Capitol in Havana resembles the Capitol in Washington, yet online sources assure us that the American building was not the prototype for the Havana one. Perhaps that is true, as this Capitol also resembles, for example, St. Peter's Basilica… You can approach the Capitol, go up the steps, and take photos. If the day happens to be sunny (are there even non‑sunny days here?), the blue sky will look magnificent against the white Capitol. In my opinion, this building is definitely worth seeing, but you are unlikely to miss it - the Capitol is located right in the heart of Havana.