Must-See Tourist Attractions in Cuba

Published on January 17, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Traveling to Cuba means stepping into a postcard setting where turquoise beaches, colonial cities frozen in time, UNESCO-listed tobacco valleys, and a cultural scene of rare vitality are layered. Beyond the clichés of shiny vintage American cars and frosty mojitos lies a complex country, where history, nature, and the daily life of Cubans can be read in every square, every peeling façade, and every paladar.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of Cuba’s must-see tourist sites, connecting the major destinations – Havana, Viñales, Trinidad, the beaches of Varadero and the cays, the Bay of Pigs, Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba… – with what makes up the heart of the Cuban experience today: its private restaurants (paladares), its casas particulares (private homestays), and its major cultural events.

Understanding Cuba Before You Go

Discovering Cuba’s iconic sites also means adapting to a country where tourist infrastructure remains limited, shortages are frequent, and travel is still largely done with cash in hand. The dry season, from November to April, is the best time to explore the island, with temperatures generally between 68°F and 81°F, more bearable air, and a sea that is always warm, between 75°F and 84°F.

The following table summarizes the climate in Havana over a year, useful for planning visits to cities and natural sites.

Month	Average Temp. (°C)	Min (°C)	Max (°C)	Average Rain (mm)	Main Remark
January	21	17	26	51	Dry, cooler
February	25	17	25	50	Pleasant, little rain
March	~24	19	28	40	Ideal for exploring
April	24–29	20	29	60	Start of the heat
May	~25–30	21	30	110	Beginning of the rainy season
June	27	22	31	200	Very hot and humid
July	32	23	32	140	Frequent heatwaves
August	32	23	32	150	Very warm sea
September	26	23	31	190	Possible hurricanes
October	25	22	30	180	Rainiest month
November	23	20	33	60	Return of drier weather
December	22	18	32	50	Mild winter

Beyond the weather, Cuba imposes a few practical realities. Power outages are frequent, Wi-Fi access remains slow and paid, tap water is not drinkable, and pharmacies often lack basic medicines. The country operates mostly on cash, with the Cuban peso (CUP) as the official currency, but foreign cards, especially American ones, are not reliable and ATMs are rarely accommodating. It’s better to arrive with enough cash, kept safely, and accept traveling in an environment where resourcefulness is part of daily life.

Havana, Beating Heart and Open-Air Museum

The capital concentrates a large part of the country’s iconic sites. Between the cobblestone streets of La Habana Vieja, the seafront of the Malecón, the broad avenues of Vedado, and the villas of Miramar, each neighborhood paints a different face of Cuba.

La Habana Vieja, a UNESCO-Listed Historic Center

The old center of the capital, La Habana Vieja, is the largest colonial ensemble in Latin America inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Founded in 1519 around a strategic bay for Spanish galleons, the city was fortified early after the 1555 sack by French corsair Jacques de Sores. Today, visitors walk through a network of pedestrian streets where restored buildings, decrepit façades, and flowered balconies coexist in a unique atmosphere.

The neighborhood is organized around five large colonial squares, each having a specific role: military, commercial, social, or religious.

Main Square	Dominant Historical Function	Major Tourist Features
Plaza de Armas	Military then administrative	Fortress, city museum, used bookstore
Plaza de la Catedral	Religious	Baroque cathedral, aristocratic palaces
Plaza Vieja	Social and commercial	Colorful architecture, cafes, microbrewery, Camera Obscura
Plaza de San Francisco	Commercial and port-related	Basilica, old stock exchange, cruise terminal
Plaza del Cristo	Urban, neighborhood	Local vibe, paladares frequented by Havana locals

Around these squares, the façades tell centuries of history: Baroque palaces turned into museums, former aristocratic mansions become bars or paladares, churches repurposed as concert halls. The restoration, launched in the 1980s under the authority of the City Historian’s Office, coexists with decay, offering a permanent contrast that also contributes to the charm of the neighborhood.

Plaza de la Catedral and the Hemingway Myths

Plaza de la Catedral is probably the most photogenic. Originally a drained swamp in the 18th century, it gradually became framed by the mansions of great merchant families. The Catedral de San Cristóbal, with its Baroque façade and two asymmetrical bell towers, dominates the space. Inside, the style becomes more sober and neoclassical. For a time, relics attributed to Christopher Columbus were kept there before being transferred to Spain.

– The Palacio de los Condes de Casa Bayona houses the Museum of Colonial Art, with its shaded patios and period furniture.

– The Casa del Conde de Lombillo recalls that it hosted the city’s first post office.

– The Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras is now occupied by the restaurant El Patio.

– The Casa de los Condes de Peñalver houses the Wifredo Lam Center of Contemporary Art, focused on current creation.

A few steps away, on Calle Empedrado, a small crowd gathers in front of La Bodeguita del Medio, a cult bar associated with the mojito and Ernest Hemingway. His name is engraved everywhere on the walls, even if the historical reality of his loyalty to the place ultimately matters less than the myth he embodies. Nearby, one can also find the paladar Doña Eutemia, which has become a key address for tasting refined Cuban cuisine in an intimate setting.

Plaza Vieja, Urban Laboratory and Square of Cafes

Plaza Vieja, first called Plaza Nueva in 1559, is the first planned extension of the colonial city. Long the main market, disfigured in the 20th century by an underground parking lot, it regained its original appearance after the demolition of that structure in the 1990s.

The buildings that surround it tell the story of superimposed styles:

– La Casa del Conde Jaruco, built in the 18th century, displays its typical colorful stained-glass windows (the mediopuntos).

– The Palacio Cueto, with its Art Nouveau ornaments, is being transformed into a luxury hotel.

– The Camera Obscura, installed in a tower, projects a real-time panoramic view of the city thanks to a rare optical device in the world.

Plaza de Armas, Cradle of the City and Colonial Memory

Plaza de Armas is Havana’s oldest urban square. This is where the first mass and the first municipal council were held. First dedicated to military maneuvers, it became a favorite promenade spot for the elite in the 18th century.

The monuments surrounding it constitute a condensed version of Cuban history:

– El Templete, a small neoclassical temple, marks the symbolic location of the city’s founding. In front, a kapok tree (ceiba) is the subject of a ritual: walking around it three times while making a wish.

– The Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the former residence of colonial governors and then the seat of the presidency, is now the Museum of the City. On its façade, the street paved with wood was designed so that hooves and wheels would not disturb the sleep of the authorities.

– The Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a stone fortress built in the 16th century, houses a museum dedicated to navigation and shipwrecks. Its bronze weather vane, La Giraldilla, has become one of Havana’s symbols.

– The Palacio del Segundo Cabo and the current Hotel Santa Isabel complete this monumental ensemble.

Plaza de San Francisco, Maritime Gateway

Facing the old port area, the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís was long the commercial heart of the city. Ships came to fetch fresh water and unload their goods. Fully restored, it now presents a more polished face, dominated by the Basilica San Francisco de Asís and its belltower overlooking the roofs.

The Fountain of the Lions, a marble copy of an Alhambra motif, stands in the center, while the Lonja del Comercio, the old stock exchange, testifies to past prosperity. Nearby, the statue of El Caballero de París, a marginalized character turned popular figure, is now caressed all day long: touching his beard is said to bring good luck.

Malecón, Vedado, Miramar: Havana Beyond the Walls

Leaving the historic center means walking along the Malecón, the seawall-road that borders the city for over seven kilometers. At sunset, the low walls fill with couples, fishermen, young people listening to music on their phones, despite the fumes from the old cars speeding along the roadway.

Further south, the Vedado neighborhood concentrates wide avenues, modernist buildings, bars, and cultural venues. The Hotel Nacional de Cuba, a symbol of an era when American stars and gangsters came to gamble and dance, now neighbors mythical cabarets like the Tropicana, still famous for its open-air shows. This area also hosts concerts, dance festivals, or events like the international salsa meeting Ritmo Cuba.

Miramar and Playa, more residential, host embassies, villas with gardens, and modern facilities like the Cira García International Clinic. Here you can also find some large paladares installed in former mansions, showing how far Cuban culinary creativity can go when given the freedom.

Viñales, Tobacco Valley and Postcard Landscapes

About 112 to 124 miles west of Havana, the village of Viñales and its UNESCO-listed valley offer a stunning natural setting. Limestone mogotes (karst hills) emerge from fields of tobacco, coffee, and sugarcane. The region, with a population of less than 30,000, still lives largely to the rhythm of traditional agriculture.

The valley was recognized by UNESCO for its cultural landscapes, where ancestral methods of tobacco cultivation and drying are still employed. Visitors can get there in several ways, but most choose the tourist bus or private taxis.

Transportation Mode	Approximate Duration	Indicative Cost (one way)	Main Advantages	Major Drawbacks
Viazul Bus	3 h 30 min to 4 h 10 min	16–23 USD	Comfortable, air-conditioned, direct	Few departures, tickets to be reserved, state-owned company
Private Taxi	2 h 30 min to 3 h	~100–180 USD / car	Flexible, door-to-door, possible stops	Higher cost, depends on gas availability
Shared Taxi (colectivo)	~4 h 40 min	25–30 USD / person	Cost-sharing, local vibe	Irregular departures, variable comfort, frequent detours
Camiones + local colectivos	~7 h	3–8 CUC approx.	Very economical, total immersion	Long, uncomfortable, not easy for a first-time traveler

Once there, discovery is done on foot, by horse, bike, or via a local tourist bus that serves the main points of interest for a modest fee. Trails cross fields to caves like the Cueva del Indio, where you board a small boat, or the Cuevas de Santo Tomás, more extensive. Giant murals, like the Mural de la Prehistoria, cover some slopes of the mogotes, testifying to a long tradition of mural art, whether you like the style or not.

Accommodations are mostly in casas particulares, these government-regulated rooms in private homes, signaled by a small blue logo. Meals there are hearty, often better than in many state-run restaurants, with typical dishes like moros y cristianos (rice and black beans), roast pork, or grilled fish.

Trinidad, Colonial Gem and Ideal Base Between Sea and Mountains

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Trinidad gives the impression of being frozen in the 19th century. Its cobblestone streets, brightly colored houses, wooden balconies, and wrought-iron grilles compose an almost intact setting. The former wealth from the sugarcane plantations of the neighboring Valle de los Ingenios can be read in the palaces converted into museums.

At nightfall, the city changes face. The steps near the Casa de la Música transform into an open-air dance floor, filled with salsa, son, and timba. Club Ayala, a disco installed in a cave on the outskirts, adds a surreal touch to the nightlife experience.

To the north, the Topes de Collantes massif and parks like El Cubano or Vegas Grande offer hikes leading to waterfalls such as Salto del Caburní or El Nicho, where you can swim in natural freshwater pools after walking through the forest.

To the south, Playa Ancón, about nine miles away, unfurls a light-sand beach that rivals some more famous resorts, but with a calmer atmosphere and a less built-up coastline. You can get there by taxi, bus, or even by bike from Trinidad.

Cienfuegos and the Bay of Pigs, Architecture and Memory

Further west of Trinidad, Cienfuegos, the “Pearl of the South,” is distinguished by its spacious urban planning and French influences. The Parque José Martí, with its richly adorned Tomás Terry Theater façade, the cathedral, and the administrative buildings, form a harmonious ensemble. On the waterfront, the Palacio de Valle, an eclectic building with neo-Moorish touches, is now a place for dining and contemplating the bay.

Nearby, the Ciénaga de Zapata and the Bay of Pigs (Playa Larga, Playa Girón) combine historical interest and natural wealth. Local museums revisit the failed 1961 landing, a major episode of the Cold War, while the coasts offer snorkeling spots like the Cueva de los Peces, a freshwater cenote connected to the sea, where tropical fish swim among corals.

Cienaga de Zapata and Bay of Pigs

Santiago de Cuba, Capital of the Oriente and Great Festivals

At the other end of the island, Santiago de Cuba embodies another face of the country. Closer to Jamaica than to Havana, the city is known for its deeply marked Afro-Cuban heritage, its musical traditions, and its popular festivals. The Santiago Carnival, in July, is one of the oldest and most spectacular on the island, with floats, congas, and comparsas that take over the streets for several days.

The Great Beaches: Varadero and the Cays

For many travelers, a stay in Cuba wouldn’t be complete without a few days of relaxation. The island has more than 3,540 miles of coastline, and a large part of its tourist appeal rests on white-sand beaches and translucent sea.

Varadero, the Most Famous Beach Resort

Located on a long peninsula about two hours’ drive from Havana, Varadero is the name that comes up most often when talking about Cuban beaches. For about 12 to 14 miles, a succession of hotels, all-inclusive complexes, and a few casas particulares line a shore where the sea takes on a shade of blue some travelers call “energy drink” blue.

The resort offers numerous excursions: catamaran trip to Cayo Blanco, day trip to Havana, visit to Matanzas or the Bellamar Caves. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy a seaside course. Nightlife is lively, with clubs, bars, and concerts sometimes until dawn. A hop-on-hop-off tourist bus runs the length of the peninsula for a modest price, making it easy to move between hotels, downtown, and beaches.

In winter, the wind can make swimming more choppy, but temperatures remain pleasant for visitors seeking sun.

The Cays, Isolated Paradises of Jardines del Rey

In contrast to Varadero, the cays – these small islands connected to the mainland by causeways over the sea (pedraplén) – offer a beach retreat atmosphere, almost cut off from the world. They belong to the vast Jardines del Rey archipelago, on the north coast.

Cayo Santa María

Cayo Santa María, a small island about 10 miles long by 1.2 miles wide, is the closest to Havana among the major tourist cays. Access is usually via Santa Clara airport, then by a road of nearly 30 miles that crosses the sea. The journey to the hotels takes about two and a half hours.

The beaches are renowned for their fine sand and tranquility. Most of life takes place within the all-inclusive complexes, some very high-end, popular with honeymooners. Outside the hotels, a tourist market, Pueblo La Estrella, concentrates shops, bars, and some entertainment. Outings are often limited to organized bus trips to Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, or Remedios.

Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo

Cayo Coco, Cuba’s fourth-largest island, is distinguished by its mangrove vegetation, lagoons, and the presence of birds like white ibises or pink flamingos. The beaches, with very white sand and clear turquoise water, are among the most photogenic in the country. A single road axis serves the different hotel complexes, and the feeling of isolation is even stronger than in Varadero.

Cayo Largo del Sur

Further south, Cayo Largo del Sur stands out for its direct exposure to the Caribbean Sea, earning it a reputation as one of the country’s best beach destinations. Its beaches, like Playa Sirena or Playa Paraíso, are often sparsely crowded, at the cost, however, of greater difficulty of access and an almost total dependence on local tourist infrastructure.

Varadero or the Cays: Two Atmospheres

To help choose between these two major beach options, we can summarize their respective advantages.

Criterion	Varadero	Cays (Cayo Coco, Santa María, Guillermo, Largo)
Accessibility from Havana	2–2.5 h by road	Road trip + often domestic flight
Life outside hotels	Town, bars, restaurants, markets	Almost non-existent, activity centered on resorts
Atmosphere	Lively, family-friendly, festive	Calm, isolated, conducive to rest
Beauty of beaches & water	Very beautiful turquoise water, white sand	Colors often considered “even more unreal”
Cultural excursions	Easy to Havana, Matanzas, caves	More limited, often day-trip organized tours
Budget	Wide range of prices	Mostly all-inclusive, higher budget

Many travelers combine both experiences in one trip, ending with a few days on a cay after a more cultural journey.

Old Havana and Cultural Life: Music, Arts, Festivals

Throughout the country, Cuban culture is experienced as much in the street as in institutions. In Havana, grand theaters – Gran Teatro, National Theatre – coexist with Casas de la Música, casas de cultura and hybrid venues like the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, a former factory turned into a gallery, club, and concert hall.

The schedule of events</strong is dense throughout the year. Festivals like the Havana Jazz Festival in January, the Biennial of Contemporary Art, the Festival of New Latin American Cinema in December, or major dance and music gatherings attract international audiences. In Santiago, the Festival del Caribe and the July carnival transform the city into a long procession of drums and floats. In Remedios, the Parrandas at the end of December mix religious traditions and pyrotechnic competitions.

Paladares, Casas Particulares, and Everyday Gastronomy

Understanding Cuban tourist sites also means looking at where and how you eat. The country suffers from chronic food shortages and complex logistics, but one sector has developed particularly since the economic reforms launched in the early 2010s: that of paladares, private restaurants.

What Paladares Are and Why They Matter

Born in the 1990s, initially limited to a few tables in a family living room, paladares took off after the relaxation of rules in 2010–2011. They then gained the right to occupy dedicated premises, increase the number of covers, and hire non-family staff. While still subject to tax, they are distinctly different from state-run restaurants.

The counterpart is a price level that far exceeds what most Cubans can afford. A bill for two with main courses, dessert, coffee, and wine in a good paladar can easily approach or exceed a few dozen dollars, when a meal in a small restaurant frequented by locals costs only a few dollars.

A Handful of Iconic Paladares

In Havana, several paladares have acquired fame beyond borders: La Guarida, installed in a dilapidated building immortalized by the film “Strawberry and Chocolate,” has seen dignitaries and celebrities pass through; San Cristóbal, frequented by heads of state like Barack Obama, mixes a décor loaded with knick-knacks with Creole-inspired cuisine; Ivan Chef Justo or Al Carbón, installed in an 18th-century building, reinterpret local classics.

Others like 304 O’Reilly, El Del Frente, Mas Habana, El Cocinero or Vistamar have found a balance between Cuban dishes and international touches, with creative cocktails and trendy atmospheres. Not far from the squares of Old Havana, El Chanchullero de Tapas (near Plaza del Cristo) or Doña Eutemia (behind the Cathedral) have become “must-visits” for many.

Over the years, many more addresses have been added, in all neighborhoods: Los Nardos facing the Capitol for generous portions at a reasonable price, El Biky, La Fontana, La Cocina de Lilliam, La Esperanza, Mediterraneo, Otramanera, Rio Mar, Santy Pescador… The names multiply but the logic remains the same: to offer better than state establishments, within the limits imposed by supply.

What You Really Eat in Cuba

Cuban cuisine draws from several sources – Spanish, African, Taíno, Chinese – but it is traditionally not spicy. The basis of many meals consists of a portion of meat or fish accompanied by white rice and black beans, often dressed with a simple mixture of oil, salt, and vinegar. Side dishes include fried plantains, cassava (yuca), sweet potato, or cucumber and tomato salad when available.

Street pizzas, very popular, are prepared on thick bases with a sweet tomato sauce and often gouda cheese, sometimes topped with pineapple or chorizo. Sold for one to a few dollars, they are an accessible snack.

For sweets, flan, tres leches, small guava turnovers (pastelitos, cangrejitos) or rice pudding are among the most common. Everything almost always ends with a cafecito, a strong, sweet espresso, sometimes served in tiny cups to share.

For drinks, the country highlights its rum – Havana Club, Santiago de Cuba, or newer brands like Black Tears – in now-universal cocktails like the mojito or the daiquiri. La Bodeguita del Medio and El Floridita, respectively associated with these two classics, claim to be their birthplaces, with photos of Ernest Hemingway as proof.

Where to Stay: State Hotels or Casas Particulares?

Across the territory, accommodation oscillates between large public hotels, all-inclusive complexes, and casas particulares. The latter, rented out by families, have become the preferred accommodation mode for many independent travelers. They offer better value for money, allow direct contact with locals, and often offer hearty meals as an option.

State hotels offer a more standardized experience but sometimes suffer from maintenance issues, slow service, or water and power cuts despite generators in large structures. In some beach areas, especially the cays, they remain the only realistic option.

Practical Tips to Get the Most Out of Cuban Sites

Traveling to Cuba’s must-see tourist sites requires some extra precautions compared to other Caribbean destinations. The rail infrastructure is slow and unreliable, the local bus network is uncomfortable, and the roads, although relatively clear due to a lack of cars, are often degraded and poorly lit. Tourist buses like Viazul or private transfers organized by agencies and casa owners often represent the best compromise between cost, safety, and comfort.

In cities, small scams and commercial harassment exist, notably in the form of “spontaneous guides” or “off-circuit” cigar sellers who claim to offer unbeatable deals. Remaining polite but firm, avoiding black-market transactions, and using official exchange offices helps reduce these risks.

Finally, one should not underestimate the impact of power cuts on site visits. Some museums or monuments may close earlier, restaurants may operate on a tight margin, and electronic payment systems may fail. Traveling to Cuba means accepting this element of unpredictability, which is as much a part of the country as its colonial squares or its beaches.

Building Your Itinerary Around the Must-See Sites

With so many places to see, a first trip to Cuba requires some choices. A classic two-week circuit generally combines:

– Havana and its historic squares, museums, paladares, and musical evenings.

– Viñales and its tobacco valley, caves, and plantations.

– Trinidad, between colonial heritage, mountain waterfalls, and Playa Ancón beach.

– Cienfuegos and the Bay of Pigs for architecture and recent history.

– Ending the trip with your feet in the sand, in Varadero or on a cay.

The more curious then extend their trip to Santiago de Cuba and the far Oriente, or to Baracoa, more isolated, to discover yet another face of the country.

Throughout this journey, the essential thing is probably to alternate must-sees, sometimes very crowded, with quieter parentheses – a village, a casa particular in the countryside, a lesser-known small beach – that allow a glimpse of the daily life of Cubans away from organized tours.

It is in this balance between grand squares, classified valleys, dream beaches, guesthouses, and imaginative paladares that the true richness of Cuba’s must-see tourist sites lies. A country where every peeling façade, every bowl of rice and beans, every trumpet note on a square brings a fragment of history and present, far beyond the postcard alone.