Cuba is an extraordinary travel destination, a land of colors, sounds, flavors, and unique stories.
But where should you begin? With so many places to visit, every trip to Cuba requires a bit of planning.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the island’s must-see stops, from colonial cities to white-sand beaches, from mountains to valleys, from museums to nightlife spots. Cuba will take you on a journey through history, culture, and natural beauty.
Ready? Let’s go!
Ten must-see stops to experience the best of Cuba
#1 Baracoa
Located at the easternmost tip of Cuba, simply getting to Baracoa is a unique experience in itself.
The road from Guantánamo to La Farola is a winding 60 km route considered the most scenic road in Cuba. Expect a three-hour journey through lush mountains, interrupted only by vendors selling cucuruchos de Baracoa, a traditional cone-shaped treat wrapped in palm leaves and filled with coconut flakes, honey, guava paste, and pineapple or orange peel.
#2 Santiago de Cuba
Considered Cuba’s second capital, Santiago de Cuba served as the headquarters of the revolutionary guerrilla movement in the 1950s, but there is much more to discover here today.
Caribbean rhythms, tropical flavors, and lively celebrations set the pace in this colorful city.
Start with a visit to the Cuartel Moncada, one of the best museums in Cuba, featuring a valuable collection of guerrilla artifacts and a detailed account of the events that sparked the 1959 revolution.
Continue your journey into the past with a visit to the Basílica de la Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, Cuba’s most revered church. On display is a collection of offerings made to the patron saint, including those left by the revolutionary barbudos themselves in the 1950s.
#3 Havana
Havana, the Cuban capital, is full of vintage cars, embellished with cobblestone squares in classic old-world style, and lined to the north by a five-mile seaside boulevard known as the Malecón.
Visit the historic squares of Old Havana to admire the colonial architecture that shaped the city in the 18th and 19th centuries, and take in the stately mansions that now house museums and hotels.
A walk along the pedestrian Obispo Boulevard offers art galleries, shops, music venues, and incredible architecture, with charming historic buildings ranging from 18th-century styles to late 20th-century design within just one kilometer.
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#4 Playa Girón
South of Matanzas province, Playa Girón offers one of the best diving spots in the country, close to shore and with no need for a boat!
The clear Caribbean waters provide impressive visibility and a colorful variety of marine life. Take a refreshing swim in the beautiful bay at Caleta Buena or look for coral reefs at Punta Perdiz.
Playa Girón is also one of the best places in Cuba for birdwatching, as it is part of Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata, home to around two-thirds of Cuba’s roughly 350 bird species.
Amazing.
#5 Viñales Valley
About 180 km west of Havana, Viñales is one of the most beautiful places in Cuba. It has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage list for its dramatic red-earth landscapes and distinctive limestone outcrops known as ‘mogotes’.
Viñales is home to some of the best casas particulares in Cuba, as well as some of the friendliest and most helpful hosts, who also help coordinate local activities. Choose from biking, horseback riding, or hiking excursions to Los Acuáticos and the Palmarito Valley, or drive to Gran Caverna Santo Tomás, the largest cave system in Cuba.
#6 Varadero
Varadero is Cuba’s top beach destination, with 20 km of powdery white sand and incredibly clear waters.
Here you can relax and enjoy scenery that is nothing short of spectacular.
#7 Cienfuegos
Known as the Pearl of the South, Cienfuegos is a city with a Caribbean-European spirit, founded in 1819 by the French on a beautiful natural bay.
Deep enough to welcome cruise ships and mega-yachts, its finest spots can be discovered from Punta Gorda and the nautical centers Club Cienfuegos and Marlin Marina Cienfuegos.
#8 Trinidad
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, Trinidad, filled with cobbled streets and colonial-era mansions, is not only Cuba’s best-preserved ‘open-air museum’, but also the cradle of the island’s finest handicrafts.
Not surprisingly, it was named a World Crafts City in 2018.
Trinidad’s seamstresses sew their linen pieces in open-air markets, displaying handmade dresses, delicate embroidered tablecloths, and garments such as guayaberas (also known as Yucatán shirts).
#9 Camagüey
Elegant and artistic, Camagüey radiates charm and youthful energy, but what really captures travelers is the surprisingly intricate layout of the streets in the city center.
With most of the street grid made up of narrow one-way roads, it is almost impossible to find your way around by car. Instead, strolling through the maze-like alleys reveals small yet delightful squares, all within walking distance of one another.
Spend a day wandering between the artisan market at Plaza San Juan de Dios and the lesser-visited Plaza del Carmen, home to the inspiring art gallery of Martha Jiménez Pérez.
#10 Matanzas
Considered the Athens of Cuba, Matanzas is the birthplace of some of the country’s most celebrated artists, such as Miguel Failde, regarded as the creator of the danzón, the island’s official dance until 1920.
The city is also the birthplace of the rumba, an Afro-Cuban dance that the music group Muñequitos de Matanzas—active for an impressive 70 years—has promoted around the world.
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Conclusions
These are some of Cuba’s most popular stops. But what if we told you that we have organized a tour that brings these and other destinations together into one amazing itinerary?
If you don’t believe us, take a look at our organized trip and join us to discover Cayo Jutías, Santa Clara, Topes de Collantes Natural Park, Valle de los Ingenios, Playa Larga, and so much more.
