John Lennon Park is a leafy public square in Havana’s Vedado district, on Calle 17 between Calles 6 and 8. Its main draw is a life-size bronze of the Beatle relaxing on a park bench, which pulls in music fans, curious travelers, and neighbors looking for shade. Locals once called it Parque Menocal (Wikipedia).
Cuban sculptor José Villa Soberón created the statue. Fidel Castro unveiled it on December 8, 2000, the 20th anniversary of Lennon’s death (Tripadvisor). The gesture was notable because Beatles records had once been frowned upon in revolutionary Cuba. At the statue’s base, a Spanish inscription quotes “Imagine”: “Dirás que soy un soñador, pero no soy el único.” Visitors sit beside Lennon for photos. Thieves have repeatedly taken his round spectacles over the years, so caretakers have sometimes kept a pair on hand for pictures. Beyond the statue, you’ll find chess players, dog walkers, and kids on scooters under the trees.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
The park is open and free. Arrive in the early morning or late afternoon for softer light, fewer tour groups, and cooler temperatures. Tour groups arrive in the most numbers from December through April. December 8 brings informal tributes. After dark, you can catch live rock covers at the Submarino Amarillo club at Calle 17 and 6. A taxi from Old Havana takes about 15 minutes. You can also combine the visit with a walk along Avenida de los Presidentes or Calle 23.
