Top 19 Must-See Attractions in Cuba for 2025

Cuba is truly a unique destination. The largest of the Caribbean Islands, Cuba will charm you with its charismatic vibe influenced by four centuries of African, Caribbean, and Spanish cultures. Everywhere you look there are reminders of its past integrated with the present. To help you immerse in Cuban culture, we’re going to share the best places to visit in Cuba to experience an authentic and unforgettable vacation.

Top Places To Visit In Cuba

Cuba transcends the boundaries of time, spanning six decades simultaneously. In Old Havana, take in the mid-century ambiance of the UNESCO World Heritage Site combined with its Spanish colonial architecture. Hail a classic American car, and whisk along the Malecón with your hair flowing in the wind. Outside the city, there is a bounty of natural beauty to explore with thousands of miles of Caribbean coastline shielding glimmering coral reefs in tranquil turquoise waters.

If you arrive with an open mind, you will feel the new winds of Cuba whispering between the tones of salsa, reggaeton, and mesmerizing Santeria tambores calling on the saints to descend in celebration. Here are the 18 best places to see when visiting Cuba that you’ll never forget.

1. Visit Mesmerizing Havana

Of all the unique places to visit in Cuba, the famous capital Havana should be on top of your list! Often travelers either instantly fall in love with Havana or don’t get it at all. However, if you give it time and wander its cobbled streets soaking in Cuban life and the different architectural styles from the old town to the central business district, you’ll be captivated. We recommend at least a day in Havana, but if you can do three days, you’ll really be able to see it all.

There are so many unique things to do in Havana, which is a city filled with music, art, culture, and delicious foods, along with Cuban history, museums, landmarks, noise, and rubble. Many must-see destinations are also within day trip distance from Havana.

The first thing I recommend is that you take a classic American car tour around the city, and take in the contrasts. This is a fantastic way of getting an overview of greater Havana and experiencing firsthand the different ambiances of the city districts.

The second is to do a guided walking tour of the historic Old Havana (La Habana Vieja). Learn about the rich historical details of colonial Havana, revolutionary Havana, and Che Guevara. Make sure you visit the Plaza de la Catedral, Bodeguita del Medio, and the Castillo de la Real Fuerza.

My third recommendation is to enjoy dinner at Paladar San Cristobal or the rooftop terrace at fantastic La Guarida, both in Central Havana. Ask for a chambre séparée in San Cristobal if you are a group; it will be an amazing evening. After dinner at La Guarida, stroll over to the other end of the restaurant for a nightcap at the rooftop bar with stunning night views of Havana.

Vibrating in the contrast between the stunning and decaying, the new, the vintage, and the ancient, Havana’s unique atmosphere is created by decades of solitude, a proud national feeling, and a fading romantic idea about the revolution.

With its Spanish colonial architecture and the fierce Malecon boardwalk, a visit to Havana is an incredible experience if you keep your eyes and heart open. Explore the centuries-old streets, peek beyond the facade, let the city tell you its history, and take in the ambiance of Cuba’s capital.

Where to Stay in Havana

Planning on staying in Havana? The Iberostar Grand Packard is one of Havana’s most luxurious hotels with the best sunset view in the city. Have a cocktail on the 6th-floor bar overlooking the infinity swimming pool and the Malecon.

2. Feel Authentic Cuba In Guanabo Town

If you like to experience the authenticity and uniqueness of a destination when you are traveling, then one of the best places to visit in Cuba is Guanabo.

Located just half an hour’s drive east of Havana along the coastline, Guanabo is a typical Cuban small town. It is not free of tourists, but it is a destination much less traveled than Havana or Varadero. There are many bars and small restaurants with random self-appointed DJs along the main street of Guanabo.

Stop for a mojito in one of the roadside bars and buy a typical Cuban lunch in the park next to La Esquina de Los Caballitos (bring cash) along with the rest of the locals. Then head for Guanabo Beach, where on the weekend each cluster of sunbeds houses a family with their subwoofer playing either reggaeton or salsa while sharing a bottle of rum!

Take a day trip to Guanabo, or opt for staying here for a night or two if you want a more authentic Cuban experience than partly polished Old Havana. You will find casa particulares for rent in Guanabo across the spectrum from simple to luxury while experiencing a truer vibe of what Cuba is like, including the nightlife!

3. Basque In Turquoise Waters At Playas del Este

Playas del Este is a chain of small beaches lying like beads on a chain spread out to the east of Havana city. Many Cubans come to Playas del Este to enjoy the sand and sea, especially during the weekends. The closest beach to Havana is the small bay of Playa Bacuranao, while the most beautiful one, according to many travelers, is Playa Santa Maria del Mar.

On the latter, you can expect a lively atmosphere, especially on weekends, with kiosks selling everything from traditional chicken with rice, rum, and ice cream while playing music at the nightclub level.

Guanabo town is within walking distance of the eastern beach of Playa Boca Ciega, as well as Playa Guanabo. Playas del Este are the best beaches for a day trip from Havana. You can take the bus from Parque Central, hail a private taxi, or even book a beach trip as an organized tour online.

4. All-Inclusive Heaven In Varadero

In 2019, Varadero Beach was voted the second most beautiful beach in the world on TripAdvisor. For anyone longing for a true Caribbean holiday with crispy white sand and blue oceans, resorts, and pools, this is one of the top places to visit in Cuba.

The sandy string of beaches follows the entire coastline of the narrow Hicacos Peninsula, stretching into the sea off Cuba’s northern coast.

The peninsula is primarily home to numerous pampering all-inclusive resorts filled with swimming pools, restaurants, and spas, all just steps from the white sands and the sea. There’s a small town center where you can find restaurants, an artisan market, a variety of shops, and even a mall built in the 90s, weirdly named Plaza America.

Varadero is perfect for a Caribbean getaway with swimming, snorkeling, boat trips, scuba diving, or simply soaking up some sunshine. Additionally, there is a golf course with spectacular proximity to the Caribbean surf.

You can also explore nearby caves, visit the Botanical Garden, a natural reserve, or even venture out deep-sea fishing!

However, if you stay in a Varadero resort for your entire vacation, you have not truly visited Cuba, as the real Cuba is quite different. Fortunately, Varadero is within tour distance to other destinations in Cuba, like Vinales, Havana, Trinidad, and Cienfuegos.

5. Lush Green Valle de Viñales & Cuban Cigars

Mainly famous for being home to the coveted Cuban cigars, Vinales is a small agricultural town in a lush green fertile valley located in the western part of Cuba, in Pinar del Rio province.

You can take a day trip to Valle de Viñales from Havana and even from Varadero (although that is a really long day), experiencing the highlights of the valley. See the Mural de la Prehistoria, the stunning Cueva del Indio cave, visit a Cuban cigar farm, and have a traditional Cuban lunch – all in one day!

If you have time to travel slower, you can also stay a night or two in a casa particular in the charming Vinales town center.

There are various unique restaurants and bars for you to explore, offering traditional meals with local ingredients and delicious Cuban food like ropa vieja or pollo con arroz morro. One special aspect of Vinales that has placed the valley on the UNESCO World Heritage site list is the mogotes. Scattered throughout the valley, these small abrupt hills lie like green sugar tops on the valley floor.

Mogotes are isolated, steep-sided, and rugged hills composed of limestone, marble, or dolomite, with rounded shapes that tower above the flat plains around them.

If you stay a while, you will have time to go on hikes to explore the mogotes up close; some of them have caves for swimming or rock climbing. Other activities include walking many trails around the valley, horseback riding, or visiting the nearby limestone caves. Perhaps visit the pristine beaches on Cayo Jutias up north on a day trip?

6. Ruggedly Untouched Island Cayo Jutias

Cayo Jutias is a beautiful island you can reach by driving north across a causeway on the verge of Pinar del Rio province, off the northwest coast of Cuba.

Here you will find a quiet beach with a narrow strip of crispy sand separating the mangroves from the soft sea.

You can take a taxi to this tranquil island for the day (there are no hotels here), a couple of hours from Vinales. It is perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing getaway, with stunning beaches, clear blue waters, and a serene environment.

Most travelers immediately fall in love with the pristine rugged beauty of Cayo Jutias. Unlike other destinations in Cuba, the untouched Caribbean beaches here have not been developed like Varadero or some of the other Cuban keys.

There is a restaurant and a couple of bars on the beach where prices are decent for cocktails and sandwiches. Spend the day snorkeling, swimming, or simply relaxing on the beach before you return to mainland Cuba in the afternoon.

7. Sustainable Las Terrazas in Pinar del Rio

Las Terrazas is a picturesque, serene community that focuses on sustainable development in Pinar del Rio, allowing its visitors to become one with nature.

Located 46 miles west of Havana, this tranquil oasis is situated in the Sierra del Rosario, which was appointed a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1985. In the late 1960s, Las Terrazas was created to restore an area that had been severely damaged by extensive coffee production in the 19th century.

Millions of trees were planted, terraces for agriculture excavated, and a small town was constructed to maintain nature as its focus. Now the land is protected rather than exploited; its cycles are respected and appreciated in perfect harmony with nature.

Las Terrazas is among the destinations in Cuba that have attracted a vibrant community of talented artists. It also provides an incredible outdoor setting for nature enthusiasts, with open public workshops and studios, as well as unlimited opportunities for outdoor activities. Spend the day in this beautiful river oasis, featuring layered cascades running from one level to another of crystal-clear pools where you can take heavenly dips in the waterfalls.

From the lush vegetation of the Sierra del Rosario mountain range, you will find stunning viewpoints and tropical mountain scenery around Las Terrazas, where you can gaze at the hazy coastline!

8. Colonial Living Museum Of Trinidad

Trinidad is often referred to as “the museum of Cuba”, a unique colonial city located on Cuba’s southern shores around a four-hour drive from Havana.

The reason Trinidad is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is that its historical center looks almost identical today as it did at the height of Cuba’s sugar era when Trinidad was the sugar capital of the island. Once Cuba was priced out of the sugar trade by other nations, the city became a forgotten backwater, a place that was not developed like other Cuban towns in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Trinidad today is one of the most famous places to visit in Cuba due to its well-preserved colorful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets. Here, historic tales from the colonial era in the Caribbean and Cuba are found in the details.

Visit one of the countless museums (don’t miss the Museum of Colonial Architecture) and artist’s studios in Trinidad’s historic center, walk around Plaza Mayor at nightfall, and enjoy a meal on the balcony of Los Conspiradores opposite Casa de la Musica.

Travel the short distance to the Valle de Los Ingenios, or Valley of Sugar Mills, which was once home to vast sugar plantations. From Trinidad, you can also explore the Topes de Collantes national park or simply head out to paradisiacal Playa Ancon beach just 15 minutes from Trinidad town center.

9. Cienfuegos City With The French Heritage

The unique aspect of Cienfuegos is that it is the only city in Cuba founded by the French, not the Spanish (although under the Spanish crown).

A small town located on the southern coast of Cuba just west of Trinidad, the heritage of Cienfuegos is detectable in its architecture and city planning. You can find a miniature version of the Arc de Triomphe in the main city square; Parque Jose Marti.

Along Boulevard avenue in Cienfuegos is a variety of shops and small restaurants, and when the Boulevard closes, the Paseo del Prado comes alive. This is where the Cienfuegos nightlife is found; as the sun sets, the doors and windows open along the Prado, and the music starts.

You can also visit attractions like the amazing botanical garden, or go kayaking or horseback riding outside the city. Then, head out to Camila’s restaurant on Punta Gorda, across from the Malecon, for an incredible sunset and dinner.

10. Infamous Bay of Pigs & Playa Giron

The Bahia de Cochinos, more commonly known as the Bay of Pigs, and the small village at Playa Giron beach are destinations in Cuba that were the center of dramatic world events in 1961.

The failed US invasion of Cuba occurred here, where more than a thousand soldiers landed on the beaches, only to be defeated by Cuban forces, subsequently becoming prisoners of war for over a year in Cuba.

Today, Playa Giron is a sleepy little village on the edge of the deep Bay of Pigs. It is worth a visit due to the Bay of Pigs Museum, which narrates the story of Cuba before the revolution, as well as the failed US invasion from a Cuban perspective.

There are also a variety of restaurants and bars in the area, allowing you to enjoy local Cuban cuisine for lunch or dinner if you decide to stay the night. After visiting the museum and the market, there is not much more to discover here.

Heading further north to Playa Larga allows you to check out some of the best diving on the island. With 17 different types of coral and great visibility, this is a must-visit location for underwater exploration.

11. Heart Of The Revolution Santa Clara City

Santa Clara is a small city located in the central part of Cuba, about two hours north of Trinidad. It is home to a university and possibly the site of the most crucial incident leading up to the Cuban revolution in 1959.

This is where Che Guevara and his men defeated Batista’s soldiers in December 1959 in a dramatic confrontation, leading to President Batista’s exile on New Year’s Eve. Today, this is one of the places to visit in Cuba filled with memorabilia, monuments, murals, and signs about the revolution all around, including in the main plaza Parque Leoncio Vidal.

Santa Clara is also home to the last resting place of Che Guevara, honored with a significant mausoleum on the edge of the Plaza de la Revolución. The city today offers decent nightlife options, many casa particulares, and a variety of restaurants and bars. After hiking to the top of La Loma hill to watch the sunset, you can enjoy tasty Cuban dishes for dinner in this living and breathing museum of the revolution in Cuba.

From Santa Clara, it’s about a one-hour drive north to Cayo Santa Maria, one of the paradisiacal Cuban keys exclusively for all-inclusive resort life.

12. Secluded Paradise Island Cayo Santa Maria

Cayo Santa Maria is a stunning island triplet that is part of the most famous places to visit in Cuba, the Cuban keys. Located off the north coast of Cuba, it is situated just where the Jardines del Rey coral reef system starts; the King’s Garden.

To get here, you need to cross over a 28-mile causeway on the northern coast before arriving at the island’s mangroves, hiding a secluded paradise consisting solely of amazing all-inclusive resorts and luxury.

On Cayo Santa Maria, there is no city center or local inhabitants; the entire island triplet is a resort heaven. A holiday here truly offers a Caribbean paradise getaway, and nothing beyond that.

What you will find in abundance on Cayo Santa Maria are beaches, pools, pool bars, food, mojitos, and an array of water activities. It’s a perfect location for snorkeling, taking a day trip on a catamaran, scuba diving, and even deep-sea fishing from Marina Gaviota.

You can visit other parts of Cuba from Cayo Santa Maria, such as Santa Clara and Trinidad, but be prepared for some travel time for other adventures.

13. Paradisiacal Beaches And History In Cayo Coco

Cayo Coco is another stunning Cuban key located off the north coast of Cuba, well-known within the Jardines del Rey coral reef system, from where you can also access tiny Cayos Guillermo, Paredon, and Cruz. To reach Cayo Coco and Guillermo, you must cross a long causeway over the Bahía de Perros (Bay of Dogs).

These beautiful islands are famed for their stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, with Playa Los Flamencos, Playa Prohibida, Playa Larga, Playa Colorades, and Playa la Laula being the five most popular beaches on Cayo Coco.

There are, of course, plenty of water sports available, including phenomenal diving in the Jardines del Rey and kite surfing. On dry land, you can also go rock climbing at the Rocarena Climbing Center or take a jeep tour. Cayo Coco is also recognized as an all-inclusive resort territory, with the exception being Sitio La Guira, where you can rent rooms in a very unique historic environment.

Sitio La Guira offers an enthralling ecological and historical area where you can explore the region’s myriad biodiversity while traveling back in time. Learn about the culture, customs, and lifestyle of its early colonists during the 1900s.

14. Capital Of The Carnival Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba is the second biggest city in Cuba, located on the eastern side of the island. The distance from Santiago de Cuba to Haiti is shorter than to the capital, Havana.

For several decades centuries ago, Santiago served as the formal capital of Cuba, and today it still holds the title of the carnival capital in Cuba. Although most destinations in Cuba host carnival festivities, none compare to those in Santiago.

The city is famous for its incredibly energetic and abundant carnivals held every July, and Santiago also exhibits more Caribbean influence from the islands further east due to its location.

Unique sights in Santiago include the majestic El Morro fortress guarding the narrow entrance to Santiago Bay, San Pedro de la Roca Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, which is the final resting place of Cuban national hero Jose Marti, along with Fidel Castro.

Santiago is also the birthplace of the 26th of July Movement, Castro’s resistance group formed after a failed attack on the Moneda Barracks in Santiago in 1953.

After this attack, Castro was sentenced to jail and spent several years imprisoned on Isla de la Juventud, which is now a museum you can visit. Santiago de Cuba is also home to renowned restaurants like the Bodeguita del Medio on the main street, where they serve delicious Camarones (shrimp).

15. Biodiverse Isla de la Juventud

Isla de la Juventud, or the Isle of Youth, is the second-largest island in the Cuban archipelago, situated in the Caribbean Sea south of western Cuba. It is one of the trickiest destinations in Cuba to visit.

The capital city, Nueva Gerona, resembles a village with a few casa particulares, bars, restaurants, and some museums. There is only one hotel on the island.

Notably famous for exceptional scuba diving, it is also close to the southern coral reef outside Cuba, the Jardines de la Reina. The journey from the main island port of Batabanó takes about three hours, leading to amazing scuba diving off the southwestern tip of Punta Francés.

Isla de la Juventud is also a paradise of biodiversity, protecting endangered species such as crocodiles, parrots, sharks, and turtles. A spectacular sight on Isla de la Juventud is Presidio Modelo, the iconic prison-turned-museum where Fidel Castro was imprisoned after the failed attack in Santiago de Cuba in 1953.

This eerie-looking place is not for city lovers; it is a destination for travelers who enjoy venturing off the beaten paths and love exploring nature reserves and wildlife.

16. Vast Mountain Range Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada is a vast mountain range east of Santiago de Cuba, starting by the sea and stretching inland. The area features several national parks like Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra and Parque Nacional Pico Turquino.

Pico Turquino is the highest point of the Sierra Maestra and the highest point in all of Cuba, reaching 1974 meters above sea level. It is a fantastic destination in Cuba for avid hikers and nature lovers who will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the mountains and the sea after making the trek.

Visitors can explore numerous trails, breathtaking waterfalls, and panoramic mountain scenery. Sierra Maestra is home to diverse wildlife and more than 80 bird species, so keep an eye out for native birds and other animals! This region is also known for being Fidel Castro’s secret guerilla hideout during the 1950s.

17. Fidel Castro’s Secret Headquarters Comandancia de la Plata

Comandancia de la Plata is possibly the most intriguing destination in Cuba you can visit. This was Fidel Castro’s hidden jungle headquarters in Sierra Maestra in the 1950s, and it still looks the same today.

Here, Fidel Castro and his comrades ran their resistance campaign and guerilla warfare against Batista during the late 1950s, before the Cuban revolution. Castro hid for long periods, made plans, and prepared for attacks.

Today, a small museum here tells stories of the people and events that occurred during the 1950s. You will also be able to see Castro’s secret house, where he ate and slept – even his outdoor toilet.

This fascinating destination is reachable on a day trip from Santiago de Cuba, involving a few hours’ drive and a short but hot and steep hike from where the road ends in the mountains.

18. The Secluded First City Baracoa

Situated on the eastern tip of Cuba, Baracoa is where the first Spanish colony was founded and is known as the “Ciudad Primada” or “First City,” the first place in Cuba visited by Christopher Columbus. The town lies along the Bay of Honey and boasts a lush tropical rainforest climate, surrounded by a mountain range shielding it from inland Cuba.

Before the Cuban Revolution, you could only travel to Baracoa by boat, but in the 1960s, a 120-kilometer-long road known as La Farola was built to connect Baracoa with the rest of Cuba.

Now protected from crowds of tourists by its remote location, Baracoa has a tranquil vibe untainted by over-tourism. Unique activities here include hiking the El Yunque mountain, visiting the city cathedral, and seeing Parque Independencia.

Check out the Cueva del Paraiso, an archeological museum with artifacts from the indigenous Taino culture, Casa de la Trova, or rent a bike to explore on your own.

You can take a four-hour bus ride from Santiago de Cuba to reach this historically important destination in Cuba, complete with stunning nature experiences.

19. Cayo Largo del Sur

Cayo Largo del Sur is a relatively unknown travel destination often overshadowed by more popular tourist spots like Havana and Varadero. However, Cayo Largo del Sur is a hidden gem that offers a unique and unforgettable travel experience.

The beaches here are incredible, boasting over 20 kilometers of white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The beaches are relatively uncrowded, allowing you to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the island without feeling overwhelmed.

Cayo Largo del Sur features a fascinating history worth exploring. The island was once a haven for pirates and smugglers and played a significant role in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Today, visitors can learn about the island’s history by visiting museums and historic sites like the El Torreon lighthouse and the Mural de la Prehistoria.

Overall, Cayo Largo del Sur is a unique and unspoiled destination that offers a delightful mix of natural beauty, history, and culture.

Wrap-Up 19 Amazing Destinations In Cuba

With a little luck, you now feel motivated to visit Cuba, and hopefully, your only challenge is choosing which places in Cuba to explore and what activities to pursue!

Having been based in Havana for over two years, I can relate to the feeling of still having many experiences waiting to be discovered. But every discovery is the first step on your journey. Enjoy your Cuba travel planning, and remember that any answers to your Cuba questions are just an email away.