Attractions of Cuba

To help inspire or plan your trip to Cuba, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Cuba which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Go to Region of Cuba-> Western Cuba - Eastern Cuba

Western Cuba - Cities of interest

Havana
Havana Cuba's capital city is one of the most beautiful, vibrant and unique cities in the world. Havana boasts the finest collection of colonial architecture in Latin America, having suffered little damage in the independence and revolutionary struggles, and crumbling buildings stand side-by-side with exquisitely renovated structures. Old Havana (La Habana Vieja) within the old city walls is built around the four main squares - Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de Armas - each totally distinctive with the Plaza de la Catedral one of the most beautiful and atmospheric squares in the world. There are many impressive colonial buildings along Calle del Obispo, the main shopping street, and the Paseo del Prado. The Museo de la Revolucion located in the former Presidential Palace contains a comprehensive account of the revolution, including the hull of the 'Granma', the boat that brought Castro back from exile in 1956. El Capitolio is one of Havana's most spectacular buildings, while the Plaza de la Revolucion in the Vedado district contains the famous Che mural and the Jose Marti Memorial tower, offering spectacular views of the city. The Malecón extends for 7km along the sea front - lined with Art Deco buildings, it attracts many Havanans in the evenings and is a nice way to stroll back to Habana Vieja. A tour of a Cuban cigar factory, such as the famous Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas near El Capitolio, is also an important part of the Havana experience. Much of Havana's appeal however lies simply in the undeniable atmosphere and rhythm of the city which is impossible not to get caught up in. There are endless bars to listen to the intoxicating Cuban 'son' music, try your hand at salsa dancing and sip a classic mojito or cuba libre. Other options include the numerous jazz clubs and opera and ballet at the magnificent Gran Teatro de La Habana. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Old Havana and its Fortifications

Havana

Havana

Cuba's capital city is one of the most beautiful, vibrant and unique cities in the world. Havana boasts the finest collection of colonial architecture in Latin America, having suffered little damage in the independence and revolutionary struggles, and crumbling buildings stand side-by-side with exquisitely renovated structures. Old Havana (La Habana Vieja) within the old city walls is built around the four main squares - Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de Armas - each totally distinctive with the Plaza de la Catedral one of the most beautiful and atmospheric squares in the world. There are many impressive colonial buildings along Calle del Obispo, the main shopping street, and the Paseo del Prado. The Museo de la Revolucion located in the former Presidential Palace contains a comprehensive account of the revolution, including the hull of the 'Granma', the boat that brought Castro back from exile in 1956. El Capitolio is one of Havana's most spectacular buildings, while the Plaza de la Revolucion in the Vedado district contains the famous Che mural and the Jose Marti Memorial tower, offering spectacular views of the city. The Malecón extends for 7km along the sea front - lined with Art Deco buildings, it attracts many Havanans in the evenings and is a nice way to stroll back to Habana Vieja. A tour of a Cuban cigar factory, such as the famous Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas near El Capitolio, is also an important part of the Havana experience. Much of Havana's appeal however lies simply in the undeniable atmosphere and rhythm of the city which is impossible not to get caught up in. There are endless bars to listen to the intoxicating Cuban 'son' music, try your hand at salsa dancing and sip a classic mojito or cuba libre. Other options include the numerous jazz clubs and opera and ballet at the magnificent Gran Teatro de La Habana.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Old Havana and its Fortifications

Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos Cienfuegos was founded as a Spanish colonial town in 1819 but was soon influenced by an influx of French settlers. The harbour town became wealthy as a trading centre for sugar cane, tobacco and coffee. Its historic centre combines colonial architectural influences with modern Latin American design and urban planning from the 19th century. Attractions of note include the Government Palace (City Hall), San Lorenzo School, the Ferrer Palace, the former lyceum and the Parque José Martí, with its elegant Tomas Terry theatre and Casino. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Urban Historic Centre of Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos was founded as a Spanish colonial town in 1819 but was soon influenced by an influx of French settlers. The harbour town became wealthy as a trading centre for sugar cane, tobacco and coffee. Its historic centre combines colonial architectural influences with modern Latin American design and urban planning from the 19th century. Attractions of note include the Government Palace (City Hall), San Lorenzo School, the Ferrer Palace, the former lyceum and the Parque José Martí, with its elegant Tomas Terry theatre and Casino.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Urban Historic Centre of Cienfuegos

Santa Clara
Santa Clara The historic university town of Santa Clara was the site of the last major battle of the Cuban Revolution in December 1958. Che Guevara and his small band of soldiers attacked a heavily armoured train carrying arms to Santiago and defeated the numerically superior government troops. The defeat led to Batista fleeing the country, paving the way for Castro and Guevara to enter Havana. Today the Revolutionary Plaza contains the imposing Che Guevara Monument, the mausoleum for the revolutionary and his comrades who died in Bolivia. The Armoured Train Museum tells the story of the fateful final battle.

Santa Clara

The historic university town of Santa Clara was the site of the last major battle of the Cuban Revolution in December 1958. Che Guevara and his small band of soldiers attacked a heavily armoured train carrying arms to Santiago and defeated the numerically superior government troops. The defeat led to Batista fleeing the country, paving the way for Castro and Guevara to enter Havana. Today the Revolutionary Plaza contains the imposing Che Guevara Monument, the mausoleum for the revolutionary and his comrades who died in Bolivia. The Armoured Train Museum tells the story of the fateful final battle.

Trinidad
Trinidad The historic colonial town of Trinidad is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric in Cuba, a must see on any trip to the island. Founded in 1514, it was the third Spanish settlement in Cuba and became one of the bridgeheads for the conquest of the American continent. In the 18th and 19th century, the town prospered with the sugar plantations in the nearby Valley de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills). Today, the town seems little changed from these colonial times and is a joy to wander its cobblestoned streets, admiring pastel coloured houses, old Chevrolets and impressive church buildings. The bell tower of the Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos offers great views of the town and surrounding countryside. Around the central Plaza Mayor lies the Santisma Trinidad Church and several museums set in old colonial buildings. In the evenings the Casa de la Trova offers traditional Cuban music and dance. The surrounding region offers the chance for hiking, horse riding, visiting an old sugar plantation or relaxing on the sands of Playa Ancon. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Trinidad and the Valley de los Ingenios

Trinidad

The historic colonial town of Trinidad is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric in Cuba, a must see on any trip to the island. Founded in 1514, it was the third Spanish settlement in Cuba and became one of the bridgeheads for the conquest of the American continent. In the 18th and 19th century, the town prospered with the sugar plantations in the nearby Valley de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills). Today, the town seems little changed from these colonial times and is a joy to wander its cobblestoned streets, admiring pastel coloured houses, old Chevrolets and impressive church buildings. The bell tower of the Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos offers great views of the town and surrounding countryside. Around the central Plaza Mayor lies the Santisma Trinidad Church and several museums set in old colonial buildings. In the evenings the Casa de la Trova offers traditional Cuban music and dance. The surrounding region offers the chance for hiking, horse riding, visiting an old sugar plantation or relaxing on the sands of Playa Ancon.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Trinidad and the Valley de los Ingenios

Eastern Cuba - Cities of interest

Camagüey
Camagüey One of the first Spanish settlements in Cuba, Camagüey was founded in 1528. Known as the 'City of Churches' due to the high number of religious buildings, Camagüey developed and irregular urban plan of winding streets and alleys and irregular blocks of buildings, unusual for a Latin American colonial town based on flat land. The town centre has numerous architectural styles including neoclassical, neo-colonial, Art Deco, Art Nouveau and rationalism. Attractions in the town include the bustling farmer's market and the house of Ignacio Agramonte, the cattle rancher who led a revolt against the Spanish in the late 1860s, while all around the town you will notice tinajones - large, earthenware jugs which used to store water during drought periods. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Centre of Camagüey

Camagüey

One of the first Spanish settlements in Cuba, Camagüey was founded in 1528. Known as the 'City of Churches' due to the high number of religious buildings, Camagüey developed and irregular urban plan of winding streets and alleys and irregular blocks of buildings, unusual for a Latin American colonial town based on flat land. The town centre has numerous architectural styles including neoclassical, neo-colonial, Art Deco, Art Nouveau and rationalism. Attractions in the town include the bustling farmer's market and the house of Ignacio Agramonte, the cattle rancher who led a revolt against the Spanish in the late 1860s, while all around the town you will notice tinajones - large, earthenware jugs which used to store water during drought periods.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Historic Centre of Camagüey

Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba Santiago de Cuba is the country's second city, located on the east of the island. Founded in 1514 it served as Cuba's capital until it was abandoned in 1553 when the capital was moved to Havana. Further settlement by the French and African slaves gave the city a unique cultural mix that make it one of the most interesting places in Cuba. Santiago is the centre of Cuban music and its bars and nightlife are legendary. The city has been the epicentre of revolution for centuries and it was here in 1953 that Fidel Castro and his followers attacked the Moncada Barracks, a disastrous assault but one which kick-started the revolution. Six years later on January 1st, 1959, Castro returned to Santiago to proclaim the success of the revolution. The Plaza de la Revolucion has a monument to the Independence heroes while the impressive Santa Ifigenia cemetery contains the grave of independence hero Jose Marti. Outside of town the Castillo del Morro fort is one of the best preserved in Cuba and commands excellent views over the harbour and the Sierra Maestra Mountains. UNESCO World Heritage Site: San Pedro de la Roca Castle, Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba is the country's second city, located on the east of the island. Founded in 1514 it served as Cuba's capital until it was abandoned in 1553 when the capital was moved to Havana. Further settlement by the French and African slaves gave the city a unique cultural mix that make it one of the most interesting places in Cuba. Santiago is the centre of Cuban music and its bars and nightlife are legendary. The city has been the epicentre of revolution for centuries and it was here in 1953 that Fidel Castro and his followers attacked the Moncada Barracks, a disastrous assault but one which kick-started the revolution. Six years later on January 1st, 1959, Castro returned to Santiago to proclaim the success of the revolution. The Plaza de la Revolucion has a monument to the Independence heroes while the impressive Santa Ifigenia cemetery contains the grave of independence hero Jose Marti. Outside of town the Castillo del Morro fort is one of the best preserved in Cuba and commands excellent views over the harbour and the Sierra Maestra Mountains.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: San Pedro de la Roca Castle, Santiago de Cuba