Cuba · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Cuba
These are the places worth your time in Cuba, from the squares and jazz clubs of Havana and the tobacco farms of Viñales to the music steps of Trinidad, the bay of Cienfuegos, the beach at Varadero and the trova houses of Santiago. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Havana
Restaurants
- La Guarida (Concordia, Centro Habana)
A celebrated paladar on the upper floors of a grand, crumbling mansion, with a rooftop bar above the city. - San Cristóbal Paladar (San Rafael, Centro Habana)
A family run dining room crammed with antiques, photos and religious art, serving generous Cuban classics. - Doña Eutimia (Callejón del Chorro, Old Havana)
Hearty home style ropa vieja and black beans in a tiny lane just off the cathedral square. - El Cocinero (Calle 26, Vedado)
A rooftop terrace beside an old brick chimney, right next door to Fábrica de Arte Cubano. - Atelier (Calle 5ta, Vedado)
An art filled mansion with a breezy terrace and a changing menu of creative Cuban dishes. - Café Laurent (Calle M, Vedado)
A bright penthouse restaurant with wide views over Vedado and a relaxed lunch crowd. - El Del Frente (O'Reilly, Old Havana)
A lively rooftop with cocktails and modern Cuban plates in the heart of the old town. - Otramanera (Miramar)
A polished paladar in a quiet villa, good for a calm, special dinner away from the centre.
Cafés
- El Café (Amargura, Old Havana)
Good coffee, fresh juices and hearty breakfasts in a small, friendly room in the old town. - Café El Escorial (Plaza Vieja, Old Havana)
Freshly roasted Cuban coffee served on one of the prettiest squares in the city. - Coppelia (La Rampa, Vedado)
The famous state ice cream park where Cubans queue for scoops under a modernist canopy.
Bars and Nightlife
- Factoría Plaza Vieja (Plaza Vieja, Old Havana)
A busy microbrewery pouring its own beer by the glass or tall tower on the square. - El Floridita (Obispo, Old Havana)
The classic home of the daiquiri and Hemingway's bar stool, with live music most of the day. - La Bodeguita del Medio (Empedrado, Old Havana)
A tiny, graffiti covered bar famous for its mojitos and its place in Havana legend. - La Zorra y El Cuervo (La Rampa, Vedado)
A small basement jazz club entered through a red British phone box, with fine local bands.
Arts and Culture
- Fábrica de Arte Cubano (Calle 26, Vedado)
A former oil mill turned into a buzzing mix of galleries, concerts, film and bars late into the night. - Callejón de Hamel (Centro Habana)
A painted alley devoted to Afro Cuban culture, with rumba sessions on Sunday afternoons. - Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Cuban Art Building (Trocadero, Old Havana)
The finest collection of Cuban art anywhere, from colonial painting to the avant garde. - Museo de la Revolución (Refugio, Old Havana)
The former presidential palace, telling the story of the revolution with the Granma boat outside. - Fusterlandia (Jaimanitas)
An artist's neighbourhood covered in colourful mosaics, a joyful surprise west of the city. - Finca Vigía, Ernest Hemingway Museum (San Francisco de Paula)
Hemingway's hilltop home, kept as he left it, with his boat Pilar in the garden.
Events
- Tropicana Cabaret (Marianao)
The famous open air cabaret under the trees, with feathers, sequins and big band music.
Things to Do
- Fortaleza de San Carlos de La Cabaña (Across the harbour)
A vast fortress with views back to the city and the nightly cannon firing ceremony. - El Malecón (Old Havana to Vedado)
The seafront wall where all of Havana gathers at sunset, free and endlessly entertaining. - Havana Club Rum Museum (Avenida del Puerto, Old Havana)
A guided look at how Cuban rum is made, finishing with a tasting.
Shopping and Markets
- Almacenes San José Artisans' Market (Avenida del Puerto, Old Havana)
A huge harbourside warehouse full of paintings, crafts, guayaberas and souvenirs. - Plaza de Armas Book Market (Plaza de Armas, Old Havana)
Stalls of old books, posters and revolutionary memorabilia under the trees.
Stays
- Hotel Nacional de Cuba (Vedado)
The grand 1930s hotel above the Malecón, with a garden terrace perfect for a sunset drink. - Hotel Inglaterra (Paseo del Prado)
A historic hotel facing Central Park, with a tiled lobby and a rooftop bar.
Nature and Outdoors
- Playas del Este (Santa María del Mar)
The capital's own beaches, a short ride east, busy with local families at weekends.
Places to Visit in Viñales
Things to Do
- Cueva del Indio (North of Viñales village)
A cave explored partly by boat along an underground river, easy and fun for all ages. - Viñales National Park Visitor Centre (Carretera a Pinar del Río)
Maps, exhibits and licensed guides for hikes in the UNESCO listed valley.
Nature and Outdoors
- Gran Caverna de Santo Tomás (El Moncada)
One of the largest cave systems in Latin America, visited with a guide and headlamp. - Valle del Silencio (West of Viñales village)
A quiet side valley of tobacco fields and drying houses, ideal for a morning walk or ride. - Cayo Jutías (North coast, Pinar del Río)
A long, quiet beach of soft sand and shallow water at the end of a causeway. - Cayo Levisa (North coast, Pinar del Río)
A small island reached by boat, with white sand and good snorkelling.
Arts and Culture
- Mural de la Prehistoria (Dos Hermanas valley)
A giant painted cliff face that makes a striking stop on a ride or walk through the valley. - Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Main square, Viñales)
The simple village church on the square, the centre of Viñales life.
Stays
- Hotel Los Jazmines (Carretera a Pinar del Río)
The classic viewpoint over the Viñales Valley, worth a drink on the terrace at sunrise or sunset. - Hotel La Ermita (Carretera a La Ermita)
A hilltop hotel with a pool and broad views across the mogotes.
Restaurants
- Finca Agroecológica El Paraíso (Outside Viñales village)
An organic farm restaurant serving abundant family style meals from its own gardens, with valley views.
Bars and Nightlife
- Centro Cultural Polo Montañez (Main square, Viñales)
An open air courtyard where locals and visitors dance to live bands most evenings.
Places to Visit in Pinar del Río
Shopping and Markets
- Fábrica de Tabacos Francisco Donatien (Pinar del Río city)
A small cigar factory where you can watch rollers at work. - Casa Garay Guayabita del Pinar Factory (Pinar del Río city)
The home of a unique guava flavoured liqueur, with a short tour and tasting.
Places to Visit in Trinidad
Things to Do
- Plaza Mayor (Old town, Trinidad)
The elegant main square of palms, railings and mansions at the heart of the old town.
Arts and Culture
- Museo Romántico (Plaza Mayor, Trinidad)
A sugar baron's palace filled with period furniture and porcelain. - Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos (Former San Francisco convent)
The yellow bell tower here gives the best view over the town's rooftops. - Palenque de los Congos Reales (Echerri, Trinidad)
Afro Cuban drumming and rumba in an open patio near the main square. - Manaca Iznaga Tower (Valle de los Ingenios)
A tall estate watchtower that tells the hard story of the sugar mills and slavery. - Museo de Historia Municipal (Palacio Cantero, Trinidad)
A palace museum whose tower offers a fine panorama of the town. - Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad (Plaza Mayor, Trinidad)
The town's main church, quiet and cool, overlooking the square.
Bars and Nightlife
- Casa de la Música Trinidad (Steps beside Plaza Mayor)
Open air steps that fill every night with salsa bands and dancers. - Casa de la Trova Trinidad (Echerri, Trinidad)
Traditional son and trova in a courtyard where locals come to dance. - Disco Ayala (La Cueva, above Trinidad)
A nightclub set deep inside a natural cave on the hill above town. - La Canchánchara (Real del Jigüe, Trinidad)
Try the town's signature drink of aguardiente, honey and lime to a live band.
Restaurants
- Taberna La Botija (Amargura, Trinidad)
A busy, rustic tavern with live music and Cuban food late into the night.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mirador de la Loma del Puerto (Valle de los Ingenios)
A viewpoint over the green Valley of the Sugar Mills, best in the morning. - Playa Ancón (Península de Ancón)
A long Caribbean beach of soft sand and calm water near town. - La Boca (Coast road to Ancón)
A fishing village with a small, local beach and casas by the sea. - Salto del Caburní (Topes de Collantes)
A steep forest hike down to a waterfall with pools for swimming.
Stays
- Iberostar Grand Trinidad (Parque Céspedes, Trinidad)
A restored colonial building in the old town with a quiet courtyard.
Shopping and Markets
- Trinidad Craft Market (Jesús Menéndez, Trinidad)
Street stalls of lace, crochet, wood carvings and paintings.
Places to Visit in Varadero
Nature and Outdoors
- Playa de Varadero (Varadero peninsula)
Kilometres of soft white sand and calm, clear blue water. - Parque Josone (Avenida 1ra, Varadero)
A landscaped park with a lake, rowing boats and a historic mansion. - Reserva Ecológica Varahicacos (Eastern Varadero)
Short trails through dry forest, caves and old cacti near the tip of the peninsula. - Cueva de Saturno (Near Varadero airport)
A cave with a cool, clear underground pool where you can swim. - Cueva de los Peces (Bay of Pigs)
A deep, flooded sinkhole by the sea, wonderful for snorkelling. - Punta Perdiz (Bay of Pigs)
A rocky shore with excellent snorkelling and diving straight off the coast.
Bars and Nightlife
- Mansión Xanadú (Avenida Las Américas, Varadero)
The du Pont mansion's rooftop bar is a classic sunset spot over the sea.
Arts and Culture
- Cueva de Ambrosio (Eastern Varadero)
A cave with ancient pictographs left by the island's early inhabitants.
Stays
- Meliá Internacional Varadero (Avenida Las Américas)
A large beachfront resort on the site of Varadero's famous historic hotel. - Iberostar Selection Varadero (Autopista Sur)
A big all inclusive resort on a broad stretch of beach.
Places to Visit in Matanzas
Things to Do
- Cuevas de Bellamar (Matanzas)
Historic show caves full of crystal formations just outside the city.
Arts and Culture
- Teatro Sauto (Plaza de la Vigía, Matanzas)
A beautiful nineteenth century theatre at the heart of the city. - Museo Farmacéutico (Parque Libertad, Matanzas)
An old French pharmacy preserved with its jars, labels and recipes.
Places to Visit in Santiago de Cuba
Things to Do
- Parque Céspedes (Centro, Santiago de Cuba)
The lively main square, overlooked by the cathedral and colonial balconies. - Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca (El Morro)
A UNESCO listed clifftop fortress with sweeping sea views. - Balcón de Velázquez (Bartolomé Masó)
A terrace with views over the red roofs to the bay. - Loma de San Juan (San Juan Hill)
A park and memorials marking the 1898 battle, with a quieter feel.
Arts and Culture
- Casa de Diego Velázquez (Parque Céspedes)
Said to be one of the oldest houses in the Americas, now a colonial museum. - Cementerio Santa Ifigenia (Avenida Crombet)
The resting place of José Martí and Fidel Castro, with a changing of the guard. - Cuartel Moncada (Avenida de los Libertadores)
The barracks where the revolution began, now a school with a history museum. - Basílica del Cobre (El Cobre)
Cuba's most important shrine, home of the country's patron saint. - Cafetal La Isabelica (Gran Piedra)
A French coffee plantation museum, part of a UNESCO listed landscape. - Museo del Carnaval (Calle Heredia)
Costumes, photos and instruments from Cuba's most famous carnival, with occasional shows. - Museo Emilio Bacardí (Pío Rosado)
One of Cuba's oldest museums, with art, history and an Egyptian mummy.
Bars and Nightlife
- Casa de la Trova Santiago (Calle Heredia)
The legendary home of son music, with live bands from afternoon to night.
Nature and Outdoors
- Gran Piedra (Sierra de la Gran Piedra)
A giant rock on a mountain ridge, climbed by steps for views to the sea. - Playa Siboney (East of Santiago)
A local beach with a village feel, popular with Santiago families.
Stays
- Hotel Casa Granda (Parque Céspedes)
A historic hotel whose terrace and rooftop bar overlook the main square.
Events
- Carnaval de Santiago de Cuba (Across the city, July)
Days of congas, parades and music, the biggest carnival in Cuba. - Fiesta del Fuego, Festival del Caribe (Across the city, early July)
A festival of Caribbean music and dance ending with the burning of the devil.
Places to Visit in Cienfuegos
Things to Do
- Parque José Martí (Centro, Cienfuegos)
A grand square framed by the cathedral, theatre and palaces. - Palacio Ferrer (Parque Martí)
Climb the rooftop tower for views over the square and bay. - Malecón de Cienfuegos (Calle 37)
The seafront promenade where locals stroll and fish in the evening. - Castillo de Jagua (Mouth of Cienfuegos Bay)
A seventeenth century fortress guarding the bay entrance.
Arts and Culture
- Teatro Tomás Terry (Parque Martí)
An opulent theatre with a painted ceiling and gilded boxes. - Paseo del Prado and Benny Moré Statue (Calle 37)
A colonnaded avenue with a statue of the city's most famous singer. - Catedral de la Purísima Concepción (Parque Martí)
The city's cathedral, with French stained glass windows. - Cementerio Tomás Acea (East of Cienfuegos)
A monumental cemetery with a grand neoclassical entrance.
Bars and Nightlife
- Palacio de Valle (Punta Gorda)
A fantastical Moorish style palace with a rooftop bar for sunset. - Club Cienfuegos (Punta Gorda)
The former yacht club, a white palace on the water with a terrace bar.
Nature and Outdoors
- Jardín Botánico de Cienfuegos (Pepito Tey)
One of Cuba's oldest botanical gardens, with hundreds of palm species. - El Nicho (Escambray Mountains)
Waterfalls and turquoise pools for swimming in the hills. - Playa Rancho Luna (South of Cienfuegos)
A quiet beach close to the city for a swim.
Stays
- Hotel La Unión (Centro, Cienfuegos)
A colonial hotel with a courtyard pool a block from the main square.
Shopping and Markets
- Bulevar de Cienfuegos (Avenida 54)
The pedestrian shopping street, busy with local life.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Bosque de La Habana (Almendares River, Havana)
A shady forest along the river, often a stop on classic car tours, with a hidden feel. - Jardín Botánico Caridad y Carmen (Salvador Cisneros, Viñales, Viñales)
A charming private garden of fruit trees and flowers started by two sisters, open to curious visitors. - Los Aquáticos (Valley west of Viñales, Viñales)
A tiny hillside community founded by followers of water healing, reached on a steep walk. - Finca Robaina (San Luis, Pinar del Río, Viñales)
The famous tobacco plantation of the Robaina family, a pilgrimage for cigar lovers. - Hotel Rancho San Vicente (North of Viñales, Viñales)
A quiet hotel among trees near the caves, with natural spring waters. - Palenque de los Cimarrones (Near Cueva del Indio, Viñales)
A cave once used by runaway enslaved people, with a small display on their story. - El Olivo (Salvador Cisneros, Viñales, Viñales)
A popular village paladar mixing Cuban and Mediterranean dishes. - Sol Ananda (Plaza Mayor, Trinidad, Trinidad)
A paladar in an antique filled colonial house right by the main square. - Vista Gourmet (Callejón de Galdós, Trinidad, Trinidad)
A rooftop terrace with views over the old town and a generous buffet of desserts. - Taller Alfarero Santander (Andrés Berro, Trinidad, Trinidad)
A family pottery workshop where you can watch clay shaped by hand. - Salsa Suárez (Calle 31, Varadero, Varadero)
A popular paladar in town with seafood and Cuban dishes. - La Vaca Rosada (Calle 21, Varadero, Varadero)
A rooftop restaurant in town known for seafood and sea views. - Delfinario Varadero (Autopista Sur, Varadero)
A lagoon setting where families can watch dolphins. - Varadero Craft Market (Avenida 1ra, Varadero, Varadero)
Open air stalls of crafts and souvenirs in the town centre. - Casa de la Música Varadero (Avenida Playa, Varadero, Varadero)
Live salsa and dancing in town when bands are scheduled. - Tumba Francesa La Caridad de Oriente (Los Maceos, Santiago de Cuba)
A UNESCO recognised dance and drum tradition brought by Haitian migrants. - Cayo Granma (Bay of Santiago, Santiago de Cuba)
A tiny island village in the bay, reached by local ferry. - Patio de los Dos Abuelos (Plaza de Marte, Santiago de Cuba)
A friendly patio for traditional trova music in the evening. - Finca del Mar (Punta Gorda, Cienfuegos)
A seafood paladar on the bay, popular at sunset.