Things to Do in Cuba: Our 10 Must-See Highlights

Our 10 Most Beautiful Sights in Cuba on a Map

So you can get a feel for where everything is, we’ve marked all the highlights on a map for you.

The Most Beautiful Cities in Cuba

Cuba has no shortage of stunning cities. Here are our top five picks.

Havana

What do you need to know? Havana is Cuba’s capital and its largest city. It’s famous for its stunning historic center and quintessential Cuban atmosphere — colorful vintage cars cruise through the streets, and Guantanamera drifts out of every bar.

Our top 3 highlights in Havana: La Habana Vieja (Old Town), the Capitol, and the Malecón (waterfront promenade).

How much time should you plan? Two to three days.

Trinidad

What do you need to know? Trinidad is a small colonial town and one of the biggest draws on any Cuba road trip — and honestly, we totally get why. The surrounding area has gorgeous beaches and impressive national parks.

Our top 3 highlights in Trinidad: The colorful lanes in the center, Playa Ancón, and the Vegas Grande waterfall.

How much time should you plan? Two to three days.

Santiago de Cuba

What do you need to know? Santiago de Cuba is the island’s second-largest city, located in the east. It’s known for its vibrant music and cultural scene — and there are plenty of great things to see here too.

Our top 3 highlights in Santiago de Cuba: The Castillo del Morro fortress, Parque Céspedes, and the cathedral.

How much time should you plan? One to two days.

Cienfuegos

What do you need to know? Cienfuegos is a real under-the-radar pick among Cuba’s best places to visit. The old quarter is packed with beautiful colonial-style buildings, and just a short drive away you’ll find the famous Bay of Pigs with some seriously stunning beaches.

Our top 3 highlights in Cienfuegos: José Martí Park, the waterfront promenade along the Bay of Cienfuegos, and the Palacio del Valle.

How much time should you plan? One to two days.

Santa Clara

What do you need to know? Santa Clara is historically one of Cuba’s most significant cities — it was the heart of the Revolution, which is why you’ll find several important monuments from that era here. Outside of those, we’ll be honest: the city is a little on the dull side.

Our top 3 highlights in Santa Clara: The Che Guevara Mausoleum, the Tren Blindado (old train monument), and Parque Vidal.

How much time should you plan? One day.

The Most Beautiful Beaches in Cuba

Cuba has an incredible number of gorgeous beaches — no surprise, given the country sits right in the heart of the Caribbean.

Here are our two favorites. For more recommendations, check out our guide to the most beautiful beaches in Cuba.

Varadero

What do you need to know? Varadero is Cuba’s most famous beach, stretching along a long peninsula. The reputation is well-earned: the water is a brilliant turquoise and the sand is incredibly fine. That said, you won’t get much of an authentic Cuban experience here — Varadero is dominated by large hotel complexes.

Our personal tip for Varadero: Beyond the beach itself, there isn’t a whole lot to do in Varadero. Plan it as a pure beach stop and set your expectations accordingly.

How much time should you plan? Two to three days.

Cayo Coco & Cayo Guillermo

What do you need to know? Cayo Coco is an island off Cuba’s north coast and a true beach paradise — perfect for an extended beach break. The neighboring island of Cayo Guillermo is arguably even a notch more beautiful, and that’s where you’ll find the legendary Playa Pilar.

Our personal tip for Cayo Coco: There’s no public transportation to the islands. Your best option is to get there by rental car.

How much time should you plan? Two to three days.

Landscapes & National Parks

Cuba isn’t all beaches. The country also has some seriously dramatic landscapes — and the national parks are fantastic for hiking, swimming under waterfalls, and soaking in mountain views.

Topes de Collantes

What do you need to know? Topes de Collantes is a national park just outside Trinidad, with great hiking trails leading to several waterfalls. We especially recommend Vegas Grande and Salto del Caburní. You can get there from Trinidad by taxi or on a guided tour.

Our personal tip: As an alternative to Topes de Collantes, check out the El Nicho waterfall and Parque Guanayara — both are easy to reach from Cienfuegos or Trinidad and are really worth the trip.

How much time should you plan? One day (day trip)

Viñales

What do you need to know? The Viñales Valley is undoubtedly one of the top things to do in Cuba — an absolute must-see. Dramatic limestone hills rise up from lush green farmland, creating some of the most photogenic scenery on the island. You’ll also find plenty of tobacco farms where you can try an authentic Cuban cigar.

Our top 3 highlights in Viñales: Cueva del Indio (cave), Mural de la Prehistoria (cave painting), and the Los Acuaticos viewpoint.

How much time should you plan? Two to three days.

Sierra Maestra

What do you need to know? The Sierra Maestra is a mountain range in southeastern Cuba, close to Santiago de Cuba. This is where Pico Turquino — Cuba’s highest peak — is located, and you can hike to the summit. Beyond that, the range offers plenty of other great trails and scenic vantage points.

Our personal tip: Spend a night in the Sierra Maestra. The sunrises and sunsets are absolutely dreamy.

How much time should you plan? One to two days.

General Tips for Cuba

Cuba rewards travelers who come prepared. A lot of things work differently here compared to other destinations — internet access is limited, getting around takes longer than you’d expect, and you may run into issues like fuel shortages.

Make sure to read these articles before you go:

• The best travel tips for Cuba
• Everything about the internet in Cuba
• Important information on entering Cuba
• How safe is Cuba?
• All the tips on paying in Cuba
• When is the best time to visit Cuba?

Want to know about our firsthand experiences in Cuba? Check out our Cuba travel experience report.