Things to do and see in Cuba

Cuba is the dream destination for all those who love to travel. It is one of the islands with the most personality and colour in the Caribbean. It has very significant history, culture and tradition, that are definitely worth discovering. There are so many things to do in Cuba, and every corner of the island is an important part of its charm and attraction. Knowing what to see in Cuba is essential to make your experience in this country the most exotic and surprising adventure of all. To help you choose, in this post we have selected the most important points of Cuban culture, architecture, as well as the most impressive natural landscapes. Don’t miss the best of Cuba and read on.

What are the best things to do on your trip to Cuba?

1. Havana

Havana is a traveller’s dream, combining history, culture, tradition and a colourful atmosphere. Painted in colour and full of flavours, Havana welcomes us with its iconic buildings and characteristic architecture. It is the perfect representation of Cuba, where every corner is flooded with its unique vitality.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, Old Havana is the most important place in the history and evolution of the Cuban capital. It is the heart of Havana. Moreover, in its surroundings are the most representative monuments, palaces and museums of the city. The city of Havana developed around four main squares that make up its historic centre: the Plaza de Armas, the Plaza de la Catedral, the Plaza Vieja, and the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís.

Likewise, you cannot miss such important places as the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, the Malecón de La Habana, the José Martí Revolution Square, the Callejón Hamel or the Colón Cemetery, among many other places of interest. There are countless symbolic places to see and things to do in the capital of Cuba. And all of them play an important role in making this a very special destination. If you want to know more about Havana, and the places to see in it, visit our post: Things to do in Havana, Cuba.

2. Trinidad Cuba

This city will make you fall in love with its streets, houses and colonial buildings. The architecture you will find is just the tip of the iceberg, as the surroundings of Trinidad are of great value and beauty. Trinidad is known by many as the colonial jewel of Cuba and is considered a World Heritage Site. Trinidad’s Plaza Mayor represents the cultural centre of the city. It is full of good quality restaurants, museums and churches that adorn this beautiful square. The Iglesia Santísima Trinidad is one of the largest churches in Cuba. It far exceeds the scale of its square, earning its title as one of the largest churches.

3. The Valley of the Sugar Mills in Trinidad

Trinidad has very popular surroundings such as the Valle de Los Ingenios, which since 1988 has been considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In this valley, you will learn about Cuba’s sugar industry and you can appreciate the natural beauty of the valley at the Loma del Puerto viewpoint. Find out what else to see in Trinidad Cuba by reading our post: Things do in Trinidad.

4. Cienfuegos

Known as the Pearl of the South of Cuba, the city of Cienfuegos Cuba has one of the best-preserved urban centres in the country. The colour of its buildings, its French-style architecture with classical façades and its Caribbean atmosphere have led to the centre of Cienfuegos being declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Paseo del Prado, almost 2 kilometres long, is one of the most important arteries of the city, a perfect place to stroll and to take in the Caribbean atmosphere of Cienfuegos. Such is its historical, social and architectural importance, that Cienfuegos resists the passage of time. Its historical centre is certainly a treasure that must be preserved and protected. Learn more about this city in: Things do in Cienfuegos, Cuba.

5. Pinar del Rio

From green areas, museums, palaces, to beaches, the attractive province of Pinar del Rio has a great value that you cannot overlook. Among its beaches, Cayo Levisa stands out. It is one of the most impressive places in the north of Cuba, with intense turquoise waters, white sand, and a great row of mangroves.

Cayo Levisa, separated by the Caribbean Sea from the northern coast of Cuba, holds the title of best beach in the province of Pinar del Río, and one of the most acclaimed destinations for visitors to the region. Also, the María la Gorda Beach with its crystal clear waters and its impressive seabed full of coral reefs, is the ideal place for scuba diving.

On the other hand, the city of Pinar Del Rio is known for being the city with the largest tobacco production in Cuba, in the Francisco Donatien Tobacco Factory. Moreover, during your visit to the factory, you will learn step by step about the harvesting of tobacco leaves, their stages, flavourings and hand-made production, until you are shown the final phase. Another of the most representative products of Cuba and specifically of Pinar Del Rio is Rum. One of the most famous and popular rums has its origin and production here, in the Casa Garay.

Don’t miss the places to see in Pinar Del Rio, and visit our post: Things to do in Pinar Del Rio.

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.

6. Viñales

Viñales Cuba is a picturesque town that stands out for its rural environment and the nature that surrounds it. Located in the west of Cuba, within the National Park of Viñales in Pinar Del Río, it has architecture from the colonial period, adding to the environmental factors that make Viñales a place of great beauty.

The town of Viñales is a humble municipality with a population generally settled in the colourful, ground floor, colonial-influenced houses, mostly built by the owners. This will transport you to one of the most authentic rural environments in Cuba. In addition, this village is the ideal place to sample Cuban food. Find out more: Things to do in Viñales.

7. Viñales Valley

For many, the Viñales Valley is one of the most fascinating places in all of Cuba. This is no coincidence, as it has been declared a National Monument. It is known for being one of the cradles of the most important tobacco plantations in the country, such as the Casa del Veguero.

This valley is home to unique limestone rock formations, called mogotes, which dominate the tobacco plantation fields. Set in the Sierra de Los Órganos, the famous mogotes paint a very original picture. Also, in this valley you will find the Mural of the Prehistory of Viñales, a huge mural painted on the natural wall of the Pita mogote. It represents the evolution of man with different coloured figures.

8. Santiago de Cuba

It is the second most important city on the island as well as the city with the most historical importance in the country. The Plaza de la Revolución is one of the most beautiful and crowded squares in Santiago. It has a capacity of up to 150,000 people. Likewise, the Parque Céspedes is where the City Hall of Santiago is located, one of the most representative sites of the historical centre of the city.

One of the places you must visit if you are thinking of visiting the area around Santiago is, without a doubt, Cayo Granma. Being a small island located in the Bay of Santiago, you can walk along its beautiful coastline or taste the local cuisine. If you want to know what else you can see and do in this city, don’t miss: Things to do in Santiago de Cuba.

9. Holguín, Cuba

Holguín is a city characterized by its harmonious architecture. It stands out for its beaches, which is what the city is known for, and its beauty will make you fall in love instantly. The parks and beaches are the most distinctive features of Holguín. Moreover, they are possibly the best beaches in all of Cuba. Holguín is a city whose parks are distributed around the city; the Calixto García Park is the central park of Holguín and one of the most important places to see.

Among all the beaches of Holguín, Playa Esmeralda and Playa Pesquero stand out. Dominated by cliffs and steep slopes, Playa Esmeralda is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in the area. Located 5 kilometres west of Guardalavaca, this beach is characterised by its crystal clear emerald green waters. If you want to know more about Holguín, discover our post: Things to do in Holguín.

10. Guantanamo Cuba

The easternmost province of the island of Cuba, Guantánamo is one of the most visited cities in the country. It is the Cuban province with the greatest amount of history, and its exceptional location makes it a true natural paradise. Moreover, it offers a wide range of historical and cultural monuments such as the Cathedral of Santa Catalina de Ricci. Considered the smallest cathedral in the world, this small church is a great attraction for locals and travellers alike and is one of the symbols of the city.

Baracoa, also known as the Primate City, is considered the oldest colonial city in Cuba. This place is one of the greatest treasures of Guantánamo and also in all of Cuba, mostly due to its historical and natural value. To find out what other attractions the city of Guantánamo has to offer, don’t miss our post: Things to do in Guantanamo.

11. The beach, one thing you must do in Cuba

Cuba is an island with miles and miles of paradisiacal beaches. Many people come to this country in search of sun, beach and diving experiences. This makes Cuba an ideal destination for relaxation and connection with nature. Although the beach is far from the only attraction of the country, Cuba’s beautiful beaches are one of the reasons for its success and worldwide fame. That is why visiting one of its beaches is an essential part of your trip to Cuba.

The Varadero area and Guardalavaca beach stand out, as destinations dedicated exclusively to sun and beach tourism. Moreover, they are known worldwide as places made for enjoyment and to disconnect, with all the luxury and comforts you could dream of. However, Cuba also offers the wildest, most secluded and even unspoilt beaches, kept safe by its keys, such as Cayo Levisa and Cayo Jutías. Likewise, María la Gorda beach, located in Pinar del Río, is considered one of the best diving spots in Cuba. Also, Pesquero beach and Esmeralda beach, located in Holguín, are known for their crystal clear waters and coral reefs. Find out which are the most special beaches to see in Cuba, read our post: Best beaches to see in Cuba.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

Travel map for your trip to Cuba

Here is a travel map to Cuba planned by one of our travellers @theblonde_traveller in which you will find several of the places we recommend geolocated for you, so you can organise your travel route easily and quickly.

You can also add important documents such as travel tickets, hotel reservations and even invite your friends to be part of organising your itinerary. Using Passporter is free of charge and will help you travel in a more organised way. You can organise your trip by registering on the website or downloading the app so you can carry everything in your pocket 🙂

What to eat on your trip to Cuba?

Typical Cuban food has African, Arab, Portuguese and Spanish influences. They are usually very tasty recipes, made with meat, fresh vegetables, fruits and spices such as garlic, cumin, oregano, bay leaf; all of them being the main ingredients in most Cuban food recipes.

The fritura de malanga is one of the most typical dishes to eat in Cuba. The malanga is a tuber that Cubans use in many dishes. To prepare this recipe, the malanga is grated and then prepared in a dough together with flour, egg, garlic, onion and parsley, and finally, it is fried into balls. Among the main dishes and products most commonly used is lobster. This is usually prepared simply grilled or in an enchilada, that is, cooked in a sauce based on wine, garlic, onion and chilli. Of course, ropa vieja is another of the great Cuban classics. Usually beef shredded in a sauce with cumin and garlic.

To savour authentic Cuban recipes you’ll have to eat like a Cuban. Cubans generally eat at home or in small street stalls. However, in addition to the street stalls, you can also try these recipes in some of Cuba’s best-rated restaurants. Here we recommend two restaurants in Havana that are sure to captivate you: Paladar Doña Eutimia, located in Old Havana, and La Catedral restaurant.

What to do in Cuba in 10 days?

Cuba is a country to discover in depth, investigating all its corners. That is why we recommend staying in Cuba for at least a week. You won’t be able to visit the whole island, but you will be able to capture its essence and soak up its Caribbean character. Here we suggest a route through the most outstanding and best known places in Cuba.

• First day: Havana, the soul of Cuba, is a place to entertain without fear and let yourself go.
• Second day: Old Havana; walk through the old town, investigate all its narrow streets and look for the most symbolic Cuban food in the country.
• Third and fourth day: Viñales; discover the wildest and most rural part of Cuba, visiting the Viñales Valley, don’t forget the famous Mural of Prehistory and visit the village of Viñales in search of local food.
• Fifth day: Cienfuegos; discover its historical centre and most emblematic colonial buildings.
• Sixth day: Trinidad; get to know the beautiful city of Trinidad.
• Seventh day: Visit the Valle de los Ingenios in Trinidad.
• Day 8, 9 and 10: Enjoy the sun and sea in Cayo Santa María and return to Havana before your return home.

What to do in Cuba in two weeks?

If you travel to Cuba for two weeks you will be able to calmly enjoy the most impressive places of this country. Also, you will discover the most coveted enclaves to enjoy the Cuban sun and beach. Here is a two-week itinerary for you to make the most of your trip.

• First day: Havana, the soul of Cuba, is a place to entertain without fear and let yourself go.
• Second day: Old Havana; walk through the old town, investigate all its narrow streets and look for the most symbolic Cuban food in the country.
• Third and fourth day: Viñales; discover the wildest and most rural part of Cuba, visiting the Viñales Valley, don’t forget the famous Mural of Prehistory and visit the village of Viñales in search of local food.
• Fifth day: Cienfuegos; discover its historical centre and most emblematic colonial buildings.
• Sixth day: Excursion to Nicho from Cienfuegos.
• Seventh day: Trinidad; get to know the beautiful city of Trinidad.
• Eighth day: Visit the Valle de los Ingenios in Trinidad.
• Ninth and tenth day: Enjoy the sun and sea in Cayo Santa María.
• Day 11, 12 and 13: Varadero.
• Last day: Return to Havana.

How to organise your trip to Cuba?

You can use this post as a reference and combine it with the suggestions on the Passporter app. Also, you’ll find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration for what to see do in Cuba. In addition, thanks to the app you can sort your selection in order of preference and organise your routes around this beautiful country.

If you have doubts about how to plan your trip before leaving home, don’t worry, Passporter will help you. In our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter, we explain step by step how to create your ideal trip. We don’t want you to miss a thing; make the most of your stay!

Frequently Asked Questions about your trip to Cuba