El Capitolio

Building Monumental Havana capitol building inspired by US Capitol

Havana’s El Capitolio features a vast domed chamber, marble staircases and a replica of the Statue of the Republic; guided tours explain its 1920s construction and central Paseo del Prado location.

Main image

El Capitolio is the monumental national capitol building in central Havana, Cuba, notable for its large domed profile and neoclassical design. The building was completed in 1929 and occupies a prominent site in Havana’s historic core.

The exterior is dominated by a broad stepped portico, columns and a prominent dome; interior spaces include a grand hall and formal staircases used historically for ceremonial functions. It is a frequent stop on city heritage tours and lies within walking distance of other central Havana attractions.

Constructed during the 1920s and completed in 1929, the building originally housed Cuba’s Congress. After the 1959 revolution the building’s functions changed and it hosted various state institutions; it underwent restoration work and returned to formal governmental use in the 21st century.

Sits in central Havana near Parque Central and the Paseo del Prado, in the municipality commonly referred to as Centro Habana, within the dense urban fabric of Cuba’s capital.

  • Central Havana location: Located in central Havana near Parque Central and the Paseo del Prado, making it part of the city's historic core and easy to reach on foot from nearby plazas and museums.
  • Completed in 1929: A large domed building completed in 1929 that originally served as Cuba's congressional palace before 1959 and later housed other national institutions.
El Capitolio
El Capitolio, Paseo de Martí, Havana, Cuba
23.1353, -82.3594
Google Maps Apple Maps
http://www.capitolio.gob.cu/
Typical visiting hours for guided tours 9:00am-5:00pm (may vary with state schedules)
COPA and guided-visit fees have varied; main guided tours inside the building have had an entrance fee (~CUC/CUP exchange rates variable)

How to Get to El Capitolio #

El Capitolio sits on the Paseo de Martí (Prado) in central Havana, a short walk from the Plaza de la Revolución and Old Havana (Habana Vieja). From José Martí International Airport, it is approximately a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic; taxis and local buses serve the city center.

Tips for Visiting El Capitolio #

  • Book ahead for guided tours to see the grand staircase and the restored interior - group sizes are limited.
  • Combine the visit with walks along the nearby Paseo del Prado for a fuller sense of Havana's civic core.
  • Check whether photography is allowed inside the main chambers - rules vary depending on exhibitions.

Best Time to Visit El Capitolio #

November-April is the most comfortable period for visiting Havana and El Capitolio.

Dry season
Nov-Apr · 20-28°C
Pleasant and popular tourist season in Havana, good for walking and outdoor visiting.
Wet season
May-Oct · 25-32°C
Hotter and more humid; short heavy rains are common in afternoons.

Weather & Climate near El Capitolio #

Climate

El Capitolio's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 19°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1264 mm/year), wettest in June.

Air Quality: AQI 58 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
MarchAprilJanuary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
11°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° – 27°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
10.7h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° – 27°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
11.3h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).

88 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° – 28°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

April

April is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm).

86 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° – 29°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

May

May is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm).

82 Excellent

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
22° – 31°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

111 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 30°C due to high humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (196 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
24° – 31°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

196 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (125 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
24° – 32°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

125 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
13.3h daylight

August

August is the hottest month, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (117 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
24° – 32°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.8h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (166 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

67 Good

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
24° – 32°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

166 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
12.2h daylight

October

October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Significant rainfall (149 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
23° – 30°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

149 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

November

November is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° – 29°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
20° – 27°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
10.6h daylight

Nearby Attractions to El Capitolio

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Museum of the Revolution (Cuba)
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Havana Cathedral
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Malecón
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Basilica of San Francisco de Asís, Havana
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Colonial-era basilica in Havana's historic quarter
Museum 1.2 km
Morro Castle
Morro Castle
17th-century fortress guarding Havana's harbor entrance
Fort 1.7 km
Plaza de la Revolución
Plaza de la Revolución
Expansive Havana square featuring José Martí memorial and murals
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