Real Fábrica de Tabaco Partagas

Real Fábrica de Tabaco Partagás is one of Havana’s oldest cigar businesses, founded in 1845. A guided tour lets you watch workers prepare tobacco leaves, roll cigars and inspect the finished boxes, with brands such as Montecristo and Cohiba associated with the factory. Tours take about 45 to 60 minutes, and photography is permitted behind glass; access beyond that point is restricted. If you plan to buy cigars, use the official shop rather than street sellers offering counterfeit products.

A cigar business dating to 1845

Real Fábrica de Tabaco Partagás was founded in 1845 by Spaniard Jaime Partagás. It is one of Havana’s oldest and best-known cigar businesses, associated with Cuban brands including Montecristo and Cohiba.

The factory is a place to see how cigars are made by hand. A guided visit follows the work through several stages, from preparing the tobacco leaves to rolling cigars and boxing them for inspection.

What to expect on a tour

A tour takes about 45 to 60 minutes. You can observe workers stripping veins from tobacco leaves and carefully rolling cigars, then see the finished cigars being boxed and presented for inspection. Photography is permitted behind glass, but visitors cannot explore the factory beyond that point.

If you want to take cigars home, use the official shop. Street sellers may offer counterfeit products, so buying through the factory’s shop is the more reliable option.