Palacio del Segundo Cabo

Inside Havana’s Palacio del Segundo Cabo, an interactive museum explores Cuba’s history and cultural ties with Europe. The former government building has three floors of displays spanning different eras, with material reaching back to 500 BC. Try the touch screens, listen to Cuban music and learn about the island’s dance traditions. The palace’s reading and map rooms are also worth a look, and its upper levels give views across Havana. It’s a good stop if you want to pair colonial architecture with a hands-on museum visit.

A palace turned cultural centre

The Palacio del Segundo Cabo is a former government building in Havana that now houses a centre interpreting cultural relations between Cuba and Europe. Its setting connects the museum visit with the city’s historic architecture: the nearby Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, now home to the Museum of the City, is one of the important buildings around it.

The palace itself is part of the experience. Inside, look out for the design of the reading and cartography rooms, then take in the views over Havana from the building.

Interactive exhibits across three floors

The museum uses interactive screens to introduce Cuba’s history and cultural development. Exhibits across three floors cover different eras, with material dating as far back as 500 BC. You can also listen to Cuban musical genres and learn the first steps of dances associated with the island.

A mobile application is available to add context as you explore. Set aside time to move through all three floors rather than stopping at the first displays; the screens and music are part of what makes this museum different from a visit focused only on the palace’s architecture.