Are you going to Cuba for a week?
Of course the timing is tight but you still have time to get a good overview of the country’s riches! What to do in one week in Cuba?
We’ve put together 5 itinerary suggestions to satisfy all tastes! So, are you more of an architecture, beach or nature lover?
Cuba Itinerary 7 days
Here is an example of a route that provides a first overall cultural approach, but a quick one.
- Day 1: Arrival in Havana. Stroll on the Malecón River at sunset to enjoy this superb spectacle, soak up the city while relaxing. Aperitif in a trendy Vedado bar and dinner in a privately owned restaurant of our selection to enjoy from the very first evening.
- Day 2. Havana – Visit of the Habana Vieja. Discovery of the old historic center classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Stroll through the picturesque cobbled streets; visit the Baroque palaces, museums, monumental squares (Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas…). Lunch in Plaza de la Catedral, in a superb historical setting. In the afternoon, direction Plaza de la Revolución to take pictures of this mythical square, then visit the Museum of the Revolution.
- Day 3. Departure for Viñales. Discovery of the village. The landscape has been declared a natural heritage site by UNESCO. Stroll through the village then aperitif mojito on the terrace of a special casa to admire the sublime surrounding mountains.
- Day 4. Day through the mogotes, on foot or on horseback, discovery of the tobacco plantations. Deep-sea aficionados will extend towards the far west to María la Gorda, the great diving spot of the country and the Caribbean.
- Day 5. Departure for Trinidad. Discovery in the late afternoon and evening of the best preserved colonial city in the country.
- Day 6. Trinidad. Discovery of the valley of los Ingenios and its sugar past. Horseback riding can be a good alternative to the car. A tour to Playa Ancon is highly recommended.
- Day 7. Havana. Return to Havana. Take advantage of what little time you have left to explore a part of Havana that was not visited at the beginning of your stay. Departure.
Beach & colonial cities itinerary 7 days
In one week in Cuba, you can offer yourself a nice overview of the old-fashioned charm of the famous Cuban colonial cities! On the program: Havana of course, but also Trinidad, Cienfuegos and Santa Clara.
- Day 1: Havana
- Day 2: Cienfuegos
- Day 3: Cienfuegos
- Day 4: Trinidad
- Day 5: Trinidad
- Day 6: Trinidad or Santa Clara
- Day 7: Havana
Beach & nature itinerary
In one week in Cuba, you have plenty of time to discover some of the country’s natural treasures.
On the program: Havana, but also the famous Viñales Valley, listed as a Unesco heritage site, the paradisiacal island of Cayo Levisa, as well as Soroa or Las Terrazas, in the Sierra del Rosario.
- Day 1: Havana
- Day 2: Viñales
- Day 3: Cayo Levisa
- Day 4: Cayo Levisa
- Day 5: Viñales
- Day 6: Soroa or Las Terrazas
- Day 7: Havana
Nature & colonial cities itinerary
Contrary to popular belief, Cuba is far from being limited to its paradisiacal beaches! Between breathtaking landscapes and colonial cities full of history, the “Pearl of the Caribbean” has enough to satisfy the most demanding travelers!
Let’s go for a week in Cuba to discover the incredible Cuban natural and cultural heritage!
- Day 1: Havana
- Day 2: Viñales
- Day 3: Viñales (departure for Havana at the end of the day – night in Havana)
- Day 4: Trinidad
- Day 5: Trinidad
- Day 6: Cienfuegos
- Day 7: Havana
Itinerary from Varadero
Juan Gualberto Gomez Airport is the second largest airport on the island after Havana’s José Marti Airport.
Arriving directly in Varadero is therefore an interesting possibility for travelers wishing to discover Cuba.
You are not obliged to land in Havana (even if, in our opinion, it is a pity to miss the Cuban capital!)
So we have concocted a one-week itinerary in Cuba starting from Varadero.
On the program: discovery of some of the most emblematic tourist sites of the island! All this sprinkled with some heavenly beaches, of course!
- Day 1: Varadero
- Day 2: Varadero
- Day 3: Cienfuegos
- Day 4: Cienfuegos
- Day 5: Trinidad
- Day 6: Trinidad
- Day 7: Varadero
Itinerary in the Oriente from Santiago de Cuba
If you have already visited the West of Cuba or if you want to avoid the hordes of tourists, why not opt for the Oriente, in the East of the island?
The majority of tourists do not venture there.
However, the Oriente has more than one trick up its sleeve! Let’s go for a week to discover the East of Cuba!
- Day 1: Santiago de Cuba
- Day 2: Santiago de Cuba
- Day 3: Baracoa
- Day 4: Baracoa
- Day 5: Baracoa
- Day 6: Santiago de Cuba
- Day 7: Santiago de Cuba
How many days are needed to visit Cuba?
If you want to know Cuba completely with an itinerary that includes the main destinations in both the western and eastern parts you will need a minimum of 3 weeks. In my opinion it is not so much the number of days but the experiences you fill those days with.
