圣卡洛斯城堡

The castillo is huge and interesting, and the views of Havana and the bay are spectacular. You should not miss it. Lots of areas to walk in a park like setting. We had lunch in a lovely garden at a nearby restaurant - Hostal El Canonazo, delicious food and drinks, wonderful ambiance, and gracious service - http://www.visitcuba.com/2012/10/hostal-el-canonazo/.

Either take the little ferry and walk up to the fort ( 15 min) or take a taxi through the tunnel ( 5 CUC). The entrance fee is 6 CUC. The fort is one of the largest in the Americas and takes while to walk around. We were here on a Saturday afternoon and there were perhaps 10 people in total in the fortress. Many of the displays and eateries were locked up and staff could not explain why or when they may open. Rather disappointing Still, it was worth it to wander around a precise it's significance in defending Havana as well as getting some good photos. A much better time for photos of course would be early in the morning or evening.

This fortress is even larger than El Morro in San Juan PR. The major industry in Havana in the nineteenth century seems to have been the manufacture of cannons: hundreds of them are downtown, upended and use for street barricades, but the battlements here still have an impressive array. Some are very fine works of art, with ornamentation and sculpture. The fortress is a town in itself, with streets, archways, massive walls and a great overview of the whole of the eastern side of Havana. A fresh breeze provides welcome coolness as you grab your photos of the town, the ocean and the Malecon. The cross-harbour ferry to Casa Blanca (2 CUC per person each way) leaves from opposite the Russian Orthodox church by the harbour and drops you at the bottom of the road that climbs to the fortress. It's about a mile, and passes the big white Christ statue that overlooks Havana (marble benches for a rest).

Take the small ferry over from Old Havana to Casablanca and walk up the hill to the fort in about 15 minutes. This is a nice walk and takes you past the huge Christ statue as well as Che's house and remnants of the Cuban Missile crisis. No need to pay to go in as you can see all the missiles lined up from the road. The road winds around to the fort so the walk gives you an idea of the fort's immense size and the thickness of the walls. Inside you'll find some nice displays and great views of old Havana from around the parapet. There also looks like there are some nice restaurants below the castle on the waterfront that would be worth checking out. $6CUC to get into the fort is well worth it. Go early for the best photos and to avoid the heat and tour bus crowds.

The Fort is quite large so wear comfortable shoes. It guarded the entrance to the harbor and as such gives a wonderful view of the old city of Havana on the other side of the bay. It pays to have explored the old city before you visit the Fort because then it will be easy for you to pick out the landmarks, As said the Fort is quite large and if you explore it at your leisure you will be rewarded with full 360 of ever changing surroundings. There are a few bars and restaurants within the property which gives you the chance to quell your thirst/hunger. If not bring water because it can be hot during the day. It might be worthwhile to visit at night, however we did not have the time. Overall an attraction you should not miss on your visit. Taxi fares from Old Havana are about US$ 5.

It's worth popping over to the big fortress (when the taxi driver asks you 'which' one you want just tell him the 'Castillo grande'!) so you can look over to Havana. There are a couple of bars within the fortress where you can buy drinks and small, basic snacks too, so it's ok to be here at lunchtime. Built to stop those sneaky British from creeping up on the Cubans again, ha ha! Poke about up and around the back of the fortress too, to see trees that have 'become one' with the architecture, plus those missiles just asking to be photographed :)

This old fortress was part of Havana defence against pirates and unfriendly naval powers. Today it gives you a magnificent view of Malecon, Havana Vieja and the harbor.

Well worth the bus trip through the tunnel and lots of refreshments. Cigars made and sold at this location along with art works

WHY WORTH? This fortress complex is one of the biggest in the Americas, and was built to improve the defense of the city between 1763-1774. We have visited the castillo during the day, and there was literally just the 2 of us. Beautiful views to Havana and the Malecón, romantic strolls without anybody trying to sell you something. It's a relief after Old Havana. In the evening there is a Cannon Ceremony at 9PM, but that is more touristy and the above benefits cannot be enjoyed to the fullest.GETTING THERE: Only taxis/cars are permitted to cross the tunnel, and they ask the price for it.PRICE: The entry fee is only valid for the Castillo and few exhibitions (including one about Che), the fee of the Cannon Ceremony and the El Morro is coming on top.

From Cabana you can see Havana shining bright during the sunset. Going there is worth spending a bit of time for relax and just enjoy the view.

I have a great family time in the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress. They are re-enacting a over 400 years old ceremony that was originally used as a closing of the Havana city walls in the Spanish times. The ceremony starts around 8:30 pm and ends right at 9:00 pm. I recommend getting there around 7:30 pm, because they have two restaurants and several museums. There are also several hand crafted gift shop.

We were there in the evening when they fires the cannon. The kids thought it was superb. It was a bit ceremonies with military soldiers in old uniforms before they let loose cannons. Worth a visit in the evening.

Went for the Canonazo, a nightly ceremony of firing a canon to announce the closing of the city gates. Soldiers dressed in period uniforms conduct the ceremony. If you go get there early and get a position on the wall to watch or it's just kind of a blur and mob of people. Lots of stalls and vendors selling trinkets on the way in.

It is beautiful place to take pictures, and you can appreciate Habana vieja from another perspective but there's not much to do there and it is far away. The show of Cañonazos is fun but short. The whole experience disappointing.

This is a huge castle built to defend the entrance to Havana harbour, and shows the classic Spanish design for such fortifications.