Top 20 places to visit in Cuba

Iconic Cities & Historic Towns

1. Old Havana (La Habana Vieja)

A living museum and UNESCO World Heritage site, Old Havana is the historic heart of the capital. Its five centuries of history are visible in the magnificent, and sometimes beautifully decaying, colonial architecture. For more on this vibrant capital, check out our Havana Travel Guide.

• Key Sights: Explore the four main squares that anchor the old city: Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas, and Plaza de San Francisco de Asís.
• Must-Do: The primary activity is to wander the cobblestone streets, discover hidden courtyards, visit the impressive El Capitolio, and experience the quintessential Havana moment of a sunset stroll along the Malecón seawall.
• Tip: Many classic car tours begin around Parque Central and the Gran Teatro de La Habana. For live music, seek out the small bars and venues in the streets surrounding Plaza Vieja in the evenings.

2. Trinidad

Often called a “city-museum,” Trinidad is a flawlessly preserved Spanish colonial town and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its pastel-colored buildings and cobblestone streets transport you to a bygone era of sugar barons. Explore this charming destination with our Trinidad Travel Guide.

• Key Sights: The city revolves around the elegant Plaza Mayor, flanked by the Museo Histórico Municipal and the iconic bell tower of the Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco.
• Must-Do: Explore the architecture on foot. In the evening, join locals and travelers for live music and dancing on the steps of the Casa de la Música. A short trip to the nearby Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills), another UNESCO site, offers insight into the region’s history.

3. Cienfuegos

Known as the “Pearl of the South,” Cienfuegos is a coastal city with a distinct atmosphere, thanks to its French colonial roots. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its outstanding 19th-century urban planning.

• Key Sights: The central square, Parque José Martí, is surrounded by grand buildings like the Teatro Terry. The whimsical, Moorish-inspired Palacio de Valle is a must-see.
• Must-Do: Take a leisurely stroll along the Punta Gorda peninsula, admiring the elegant mansions and the beautiful bay views.

4. Santiago de Cuba

As Cuba’s second-largest city, Santiago possesses a unique cultural identity and a revolutionary spirit. It is the vibrant heart of Afro-Cuban culture, with a palpable energy found in its music and people. Discover more in our Santiago de Cuba Travel Guide.

• Key Sights: Visit the formidable Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca (a UNESCO site), pay respects at the Cementerio Santa Ifigenia where Fidel Castro and national heroes rest, and feel the city’s pulse at Parque Céspedes.
• Must-Do: Immerse yourself in the city’s rich musical traditions, from son to salsa, which spill out from doorways and music venues across the city.

5. Camagüey

The historic center of Camagüey is a UNESCO World Heritage site, notable for its bewildering, maze-like layout. The winding streets and irregular plazas were intentionally designed to confuse attacking pirates.

• Key Sights: The city’s unique urban plan is the main attraction, leading to a series of charming and unexpected squares.
• Must-Do: Embrace the confusion and get lost in the labyrinthine streets. As you explore, look for the large earthenware jars called ‘tinajones’ in the courtyards, a symbol of the city.

6. Baracoa

Tucked away on Cuba’s easternmost tip, Baracoa was the island’s first colonial settlement. Its relative isolation has preserved a unique culture and lush, tropical surroundings unlike anywhere else in the country. Learn more about this unique destination in our Baracoa Travel Guide.

• Key Sights: The anvil-shaped mountain, El Yunque, dominates the landscape, and the powerful Toa River winds through the region’s dense rainforest.
• Must-Do: For the adventurous, a hike up El Yunque offers incredible views. Be sure to sample the local cuisine, which uses coconut and cacao, including a sweet treat called ‘cucurucho’.

7. Matanzas

Often overlooked, Matanzas earned the name “Athens of Cuba” in the 19th century for its rich cultural and literary life. It serves as a gateway to both Varadero and the scenic Yumurí Valley.

• Key Sights: Key landmarks include the neoclassical Sauto Theater, the fascinating Pharmaceutical Museum (Triolet Pharmacy), and the vast underground network of the Bellamar Caves.
• Must-Do: A visit to the spectacular Bellamar Caves is essential, as is a drive or hike through the beautiful and tranquil Yumurí Valley.

8. Gibara

A quiet and picturesque fishing town on the northern coast of Holguín province, Gibara offers a peaceful retreat from the more bustling tourist centers. Its faded colonial charm and beautiful bay create a serene atmosphere.

• Key Sights: The main attractions are the well-preserved colonial-era buildings and the lovely natural harbor.

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• Must-Do: The best activity here is to slow down. Enjoy the unhurried pace of life, dine on fresh seafood, and if your visit coincides, experience the unique Low-Budget Film Festival held here annually.

Pristine Beaches & Idyllic Cays

9. Varadero

Situated on the Hicacos Peninsula, Varadero is Cuba’s premier beach destination. It is designed for relaxation and aquatic enjoyment, offering a long, continuous stretch of exceptional sand and sea.

• Key Features: The main draw is its 20 kilometers of uninterrupted, fine white sand lapped by calm, turquoise waters.
• Activities: This is the hub for all-inclusive resorts. You can engage in a wide variety of water sports, play a round of golf at the Varadero Golf Club, or enjoy the area’s nightlife.

10. Playa Paraíso, Cayo Largo del Sur

Living up to its name (“Paradise Beach”), this beach on the secluded island of Cayo Largo del Sur is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful in the world. It is a place of pure, unspoiled natural beauty.

• Key Features: The sand is like fine powder, dazzlingly white, and meets a sea of calm, shallow, transparent water in shades of blue you have to see to believe.
• Activities: This beach is for ultimate relaxation. The calm waters are perfect for wading, and nearby areas offer good snorkeling. You will likely share the sand with a population of friendly local iguanas.

11. Cayo Coco & Cayo Guillermo

These two connected cays, part of the Jardines del Rey archipelago, are accessed from the mainland via a long causeway. They are renowned for their resort infrastructure and rich natural environment. Plan your trip with our Cayo Coco Travel Guide.

• Key Features: Expect fine white sand beaches, an extensive coral reef system just offshore, and a large, vibrant colony of pink flamingos.
• Activities: The offshore reef makes this an excellent destination for diving and snorkeling. Birdwatching is also a major draw. Don’t miss Playa Pilar on Cayo Guillermo, known for its impressive sand dunes.

12. Guardalavaca

Located in Holguín province, Guardalavaca is a popular resort area that offers a more lush, green backdrop than the flatter cays. The beaches here are beautiful, shell-shaped coves.

• Key Features: The beaches are known for their distinctive cove-like shape, clear emerald waters, and the rich vegetation that surrounds them.
• Activities: The area is excellent for snorkeling and diving, with a coral reef located a short distance from the shore, accessible for swimmers of many skill levels.

Lush Nature & Revolutionary History

13. Viñales Valley

A stunning landscape and UNESCO World Heritage site, the Viñales Valley is characterized by its dramatic limestone outcrops, known as ‘mogotes’, rising from the flat, fertile plains of tobacco fields.

• Key Features: The unique karst topography of the mogotes and the traditional agricultural methods for tobacco cultivation, unchanged for centuries, define the region.
• Must-Do: Explore the valley on foot or by horseback for the best views. Visit a local tobacco farm (vega) to see how Cuba’s famous cigars are rolled by hand. A boat trip through the Cueva del Indio is also a popular activity.

14. Santa Clara

Santa Clara holds a special place in modern Cuban history as the site of the final battle of the Cuban Revolution in 1958. The city is inextricably linked with the figure of Ernesto “Che” Guevara.

• Key Sights: The city’s most important sites are the monumental Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum, which houses his remains, and the Tren Blindado (Armored Train) monument and museum.
• Must-Do: A visit to the Che memorial is a powerful experience and essential for understanding Cuba’s revolutionary past. The museum provides detailed context on his life and the battle that sealed the revolution’s victory.

15. Bay of Pigs (Bahía de Cochinos)

This location on the southern coast is famous as the site of the failed 1961 CIA-sponsored invasion. Today, it is a peaceful area known for its historical significance and remarkable natural attractions for divers.

• Key Sights: The Museo Girón in Playa Girón documents the invasion from the Cuban perspective. The Cueva de los Peces is a deep, flooded cenote teeming with fish.
• Must-Do: Gain historical context at the museum, then explore the underwater world. The area offers some of the best shore diving and snorkeling in Cuba, both in the bay and in inland cenotes.

16. Topes de Collantes National Park

Set in the Escambray Mountains, this high-altitude nature reserve park offers a cool, misty escape from the coastal heat. It is a haven for hikers and nature enthusiasts, located conveniently near Trinidad.

• Key Features: The park is a landscape of dense forests, coffee plantations, dramatic waterfalls, and extensive hiking trails.
• Must-Do: Hike through the lush forest to reach a waterfall for a swim. Popular treks lead to the Salto del Caburní and Vegas Grande waterfalls, both of which cascade into refreshing natural pools. A guide is recommended for longer hikes.

17. El Nicho Waterfalls

A natural wonder located in the mountains between Cienfuegos and Trinidad, El Nicho is a series of beautiful waterfalls and pristine natural pools set within a verdant, protected park.

• Key Features: Its main appeal is the opportunity to swim in stunningly clear, cool pools of water fed by a chain of cascades.
• Must-Do: Follow the well-marked trail that winds alongside the river, leading to various pools and viewpoints. We advise wearing sturdy, closed-toe shoes suitable for walking on uneven and sometimes slippery paths.

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