Located on the Plaza Vieja on the top floor of the Edificio Gómez Vila is Havana’s Camera Obscura, an interesting optical device invented by Leonardo da Vinci that provides a live 360-degree view of the entire city of Havana. The panoramic view of the city is projected with a magnification factor of 30 onto a black screen through the camera’s peephole.

The camera uses a turret that an operator rotates while changing the angle of the mirrors to provide a full view of the city. The operator accompanies different views of the city with a humorous and well-informed narrative. The camera was gifted to Havana’s Historian’s Office by the Council of Cadiz in Spain.

Edificio Gómez Vila, Plaza Vieja, Mercaderes y Teniente Rey, Mercaderes, Havana 10100, Cuba, Phone: 537-862-1801

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Book Market in Plaza de Armas Camera Obscura Castillo de la Real Fuerza Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro Catedral de San Cristobal El Malecon Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana Fusterlandia Gran Teatro de La Habana Hotel Nacional de Cuba La Bodeguita del Medio Miramar Museo de la Ciudad Museo de la Revolucion Museo Hemingway Finca Vigia Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes Museo Napoleonico Paseo del Prado Playas del Este Plaza de la Revolucion Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas San Francisco de Asis Square The Capitol Building

Explore more: Caribbean > What to See in Havana, Cuba

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.