Call me crazy, but I have been there twice and saw their demonstrations three times. I love Camera Obscura and excellent demo given in Spanish and English. You can see 360 degrees view of the city and which help you understand the city. It is 2CUC, but I think totally worth it. You can enjoy the view from rooftop while you wait for your turn. After you enjoy Camera Obscura, try a cup of chocolate at the museum of chocolates nearby.
We visited the Camera Obscura on top of the early twentieth century Gomez Vila Building on the corner of Plaza Vieja in January. It was inexpensive at 2 CUC per person and provided a bird's eye view with a guide commentary of Habana. It was a gift from the Council of Cadiz and is one of only 74 in the world. Well worth a visit.
This neat little spot will give you a brief history of the camera obscura, and will use the tool to point out attractions around Havana. You then get to spend some time on the building's rooftop, which offers nice views of Old Havana. Our tour was in Spanish, but I think they might have some in English as well. This is a nice activity to do if you have some time to kill and need a break from the sun.
A replica of a periscope by L. de Vinci. You can see the whole city in an air conditioned small room explained by a guide. There is a fee of 2 CUC for the admission. Nice view of the Plaza Vieja from the tower, and of the city.
This attraction is on a corner of the elegant Plaza Vieja. For a mere 2 CUCs, you can ride the elevator to enjoy a brief presentation of the Camera Oscura which offers a bird,s eye view of Havana. You can also simply ride the elevator to the roof and enjoy enchanting views go the area for free.
....no sign, no nothing, just a locked door. A peek inside the window revealed a poor state employee on a wooden chair in the dark. "Broken", he reveals about the elevator. But I'll go back someday, Plaza Vieja itself is worth the (minimal) effort, especially before it gentrifies.....
to know this camera can pan in on every activity in the area.Also a great view of Old Havana from their rooftop.
We rode the elevator, then entered the chamber. When it was full, the docent closed the door and turned out the lights so we could see the image on the white table in the center. He pointed out many landmarks of the city around us, using the pulley to rotate the lens. The view was very full, about 330 degrees was unobstructed. Even restless children were transfixed by the image.
This is well worth the 2 CUC to see. From the rooftop you get an amazing view of Havana. You can clearly see up to revolution square, to the fort and all the key buildings. Fantastic view I don't think you will find elsewhere. The camera obscura is really interesting as you can watch people going about their business. It is quite remarkable how it works. A definite must visit when in Havana.
This is a good way to enjoy a panorama of old and new Havana, it costs only 2 CUC each and though it is a brief presentation, you can stay on the open roof terrace afterwards and enjoy the 360 degree views and take some photographs from this elevated vantage point. Worth the visit and for anyone with limited mobility, a lift takes you to the rooftop.