Callejón de Hámel

Tucked away off the beaten path, Callejón de Hamel is one of Havana’s most unique alleyways. Like an open-air urban gallery, this space filled with eclectic Cuban folk art attracts both locals and visitors. Stretching about 200 metres, most of the works were created by self-taught artist Salvador González Escalona, who began transforming the alley in the 1990s. Mixing murals, poetic texts, and found objects, his style is deeply rooted in Africa and Afro-Cuban culture, with many references to santería, the Afro-Cuban religion that blends Yoruba traditions with Catholicism. Wherever you look, you’ll find striking, multicultural details. And it’s not only about the art: the alley comes alive with concerts and spontaneous dance performances, especially on Sundays.