Top 10 must-visit spots in Cuba

From vibrant cities pulsing with tropical rhythms to pristine, verdant forests, Cuba offers travelers an array of diverse destinations.

Discover a mix of unique architecture, pristine beaches, and exceptional wildlife observation opportunities throughout the nation. Here are ten locations to include in your Cuba travel plans for an authentic experience on the Caribbean’s largest and most captivating island.

1. Havana

Ideal city for art enthusiasts and architecture lovers

The Cuban capital, Havana, is a vibrant tapestry of vintage cars, charming cobblestone squares, and the scenic 5-mile seafront drive known as the Malecón lining its northern edge.

Don’t miss the historic squares of Habana Vieja, where you can admire the colonial architecture from the 1700s and 1800s, with grand mansions that have been converted into museums and hotels.

Strolling down the pedestrian-friendly Calle Obispo reveals a treasure trove of art galleries, shops, music venues, and stunning architecture, showcasing styles from the 1700s to the late 1900s within just a mile.

Planning tip: Art is abundant in Havana, with numerous galleries and vibrant outdoor spaces like the San Isidro Art District and Fusterlandia. For a comprehensive exploration of Cuba’s artistic heritage, dedicate a day to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes – Arte Cubano.

2. Valle de Viñales

Ideal for tobacco cultivation

Located approximately 180km (100 miles) west of Havana, Viñales is among the most stunning locations in Cuba. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its striking landscapes featuring red soil and unique limestone formations known as mogotes.

Viñales boasts the finest casas particulares (private homestays) in Cuba, along with some of the friendliest and most accommodating casa owners, who can assist you with local activities. Options include cycling, horseback riding, or hiking to Los Acuáticos and Valle del Palmarito, or exploring Gran Caverna Santo Tomás, the largest cave system in Cuba.

Planning tip: Renowned as the premier location for the world’s finest tobacco, a visit to Viñales is incomplete without booking a guided tour through the triangle-roofed drying houses found on local tobacco farms.

3. Varadero

Top beach resort in Cuba

Even if every tourist in Cuba converged on Varadero, there would still be plenty of space. Varadero boasts Cuba’s finest beach resort, featuring 20km (12 miles) of pristine, powdery sand and impossibly clear waters.

Accommodations range widely, from luxurious all-inclusive resorts to charming casas particulares. Families appreciate Varadero’s safe, shallow beaches, while party-goers enjoy lively nights at Casa de la Música or themed events at various hotels.

Planning tip: If you find yourself needing a break from the beach (if that's even possible), spend an afternoon enjoying rum-infused cocktails at the rooftop bar of Mansión Xanadú, taking in the views of the peninsula.

4. Santiago de Cuba

Ideal for exploring Cuba’s revolutionary past

Known as Cuba's second capital, Santiago de Cuba served as the headquarters for revolutionary guerrillas in the 1950s, but there's much more to discover here. The vibrant Caribbean rhythms, tropical flavors, and lively festivals bring this colorful city to life.

Begin your exploration at Cuartel Moncada, one of Cuba’s premier museums, featuring a well-curated collection of guerrilla artifacts and an in-depth account of the events that ignited the 1959 revolution. Then, continue your historical journey at the Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Cobre, the country’s most revered church.

This church showcases an exhibition of offerings made to the patron saint, including those from the iconic bearded revolutionaries of the 1950s.

Planning tip: Reflecting its rebellious spirit, Santiago is alive with a festive atmosphere, especially during the renowned Carnavales that follow the Día de la Rebeldía Nacional (National Rebellion Day) on July 26.

5. Baracoa

Best for wildlife spotting

Situated at the easternmost tip of Cuba, reaching Baracoa is an adventure in itself. The journey from Guantánamo takes you along La Farola, a winding 60km (37-mile) road renowned as the most picturesque drive in the country.

Prepare for a three-hour journey through verdant mountains, with breaks only for vendors selling cucuruchos de Baracoa—a cone-shaped treat made of coconut flakes, honey, guava paste, and fruity flavors like pineapple and orange, all wrapped in a palm frond.

Planning tip: Río Duaba and El Yunque offer fantastic hiking opportunities amid rich flora and diverse birdlife. For a more immersive experience in pristine forests, consider booking a tour at Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt.

6. Trinidad

Best for shopping handmade arts and crafts

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 and recognized as a World Craft City in 2018, Trinidad is not only Cuba’s most well-preserved “open-air museum” but also a hub for the island's finest handmade crafts, featuring charming cobblestone streets and colonial mansions.

In Trinidad, skilled needleworkers display their craft at open-air markets, offering handmade clothing, intricately embroidered tablecloths, and traditional garments like guayaberas (Yucatán shirts).

Planning tip: You'll likely encounter local markets in the pedestrian-friendly areas of the historic center near Plaza Mayor, and artisans also host a daily fair at the foot of Torre Manaca Iznaga, located 16km (10 miles) from Trinidad.

7. Matanzas

Best for live music and dancing

Known as the Athens of Cuba, Matanzas is home to some of the nation’s most celebrated artists, including Miguel Failde, the inventor of the beloved ballroom dance danzón.

This city is the cradle of rumba, an Afro-Cuban dance that the legendary 70-year-old ensemble Muñequitos de Matanzas has championed globally. Be sure to catch their live performances, which take place weekly at the Museo Histórico Provincial – Palacio de Junco.

Local tip: If you’re seeking a more authentic Cuban experience, far from the typical touristy vibes of Varadero, Matanzas boasts captivating architecture, including neoclassical gems like the beautifully restored Teatro Sauto and historic sites like the Museo Farmacéutico, which was established as the first pharmacy museum in Latin America back in 1882.

8. Cienfuegos

Top destination for water sports like kayaking, fishing, and windsurfing

Revered as the Pearl of the South, Cienfuegos is a city with French influences, established in 1819 along a stunning natural bay. This bay is deep enough to accommodate cruises and mega-yachts, best appreciated from Punta Gorda and the nautical hubs at Club Cienfuegos and Marlin Marina Cienfuegos.

Planning tip: Spend a day engaging in kayaking, fishing, or windsurfing, but don’t miss the chance to visit Laguna Guanaroca, a protected natural area where you can spot flamingoes and enjoy a boat ride on the tranquil lake.

9. Camagüey

Ideal city for exploring winding alleys

Charming and artistic, Camagüey radiates youthful energy, yet it’s the unexpectedly complex street layout in the city center that often leaves visitors in awe.

The grid mainly consists of one-way narrow streets, making it quite challenging to navigate by car. Instead, explore the labyrinthine alleys on foot to uncover small, delightful plazas within easy reach of each other.

Dedicate a day to wander from the artisan market at Plaza San Juan de Dios to the quieter Plaza del Carmen, which hosts the inspiring art gallery of Martha Jiménez Pérez.

Planning tip: While in Camagüey, don’t miss Cuba’s narrowest and shortest streets. Callejón del Cura is a mere 1.4m (4.6ft) wide, while Callejón de la Miseria spans 15m (49ft) with just two houses facing one another.

10. Playa Girón

Ideal for swimming, diving, and birdwatching

Located south of Matanzas province, Playa Girón features one of the finest diving spots just offshore—no boat needed! The crystal-clear Caribbean waters provide excellent visibility and a vibrant array of marine life. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the stunning cove at Caleta Buena, or explore the coral reefs at Punta Perdiz.

Playa Girón is also a premier location for birdwatching, being part of Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata, which hosts around two-thirds of Cuba's nearly 350 bird species.

Tip for planning: While traveling from Playa Larga to Playa Girón, don't miss a stop at Cueva de Los Peces, one of the rare cenotes found in Cuba.