Havana, Cuba's major tourist destination, has a huge potential for leisure and is visited by thousands of foreign vacationers every year.

Founded nearly five centuries ago, Havana stands out in the recreational scenario of the country with a wide range of tourist options, including culture, history and excellent beaches.

Initially called San Cristobal de La Habana, the city is a faithful exponent of colonial architecture in Cuba.

Called at the time the Fortified City of the West Indies and the Key to the New World, Havana is at present a living museum showing a wide range of architectural styles, as a result of the different stages of the development of the city.

The Cuban capital also has a broad infrastructure, including the Tryp Habana Libre Hotel, founded 53 years ago, in 1958. Located on 23rd Street, on La Rampa's area, the hotel is one of the most visited establishments by both Cuban and foreign tourists.

The hotel is close to emblematic places such as the University of Havana, Malecón (seafront drive) and Coppelia ice-cream parlor.

The city's defense system consists of the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro (Castle of the Three Kings) and a total of nine fortresses, which were the most prominent castles in Spanish-speaking Americas during the colonial period.

Another fortress is Castillo de la Real Fuerza (The Royal Force Castle), whose construction was completed in 1577 and is one of the examples of Renaissance architecture in military constructions, a style that prevailed in Spain during the rule of the Catholic Monarchs and was also known as Elizabethan.

Nearly 140 buildings in Old Havana were built in the 16th and 17th centuries; another 200 were constructed in the 18th century and more than 460 in the 19th century.

They create a very attractive combination of architectural styles, including baroque, neo-gothic, neo-classicism, eclecticism, art noveau and the modern movement.

The nucleus of the Cuban capital exhibits a true collection of castles, fortresses and buildings with high cultural values, which were built around a system of squares, monasteries and temples.

Those open spaces, including the Arms Square, the Cathedral Square, the so-called Old Square and the Saint Francis Square, marked the design of the so-called inner city.