See Havana's historic sights

The Cuban capital Havana is famous for its cigars, laid-back tropical atmosphere, incredible architecture and 1950s American cars.

However, it is also a city with a history that is well worth discovering.

Havana was founded in August 1515, six years after Cuba was discovered by the Spanish.

The city was primarily used as a trading port, and was where Hernan Cortes organised his expedition to conquer Mexico.

As a result, some of the oldest buildings in Havana are defensive fortresses dating from the mid-sixteenth century.

Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, by Havana's lighthouse, is one of the most iconic buildings in the city and guards Havana bay.

The building was considered impregnable until it was taken by the English in 1762 and is still in good condition today.

The fortress is part of the Gran Parque Historico-Militar Morro-Cabana tourist resort where holidaymakers can experience five centuries of Havana’s history.

Visitors can see the ancient batteries, gunpowder arsenal and ditches as well as visit the area's modern restaurants, bars and cafeterias.

At 21:00 each day there is the Canon Shutting Ceremony, which historically announced the closing of the doors of the walls surrounding the city, and the closing of the harbour.

Other buildings from the same era include the Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta (1590), located to the west of entrance of the bay, and the Castillo de la Real Fuerza.

The Castillo is now the home of the Museum of Ceramics, and its popularity is in part down to being the oldest fortresses in city, built between 1558 and 1578, as well as its location on the Plaza de las Armas, one of Cuba's oldest squares.

Havana has many other historic sights, such as the old city walls, but getting a feel for the city's history is easy – the narrow streets of Havana's old town have almost 1,000 buildings of historical and cultural significance.

And if the heat and humidity get too much then just enjoy the miles of sandy, Caribbean beaches, and cool off with Cuba's famous rum.

Virgin, Captivating Cuba, Thomas Cook and Kuoni are among the tour operators with holidays to Cuba.

For more information on Havana see www.cubatravel.cu XXX