Things to see and do in Cuba

Sitting alongside Cuba’s colonial towns and vibrant cities is a landscape that’s classically Caribbean. Inland, you’ll find emerald hills cloaked in banana trees, leafy tobacco plantations, and fields of spiky sugarcane; make for the coast and the greenery gives way to ribbons of white sand and waters the colour of Bombay Sapphire.  

It’s an intoxicating mix. Thinking of visiting? Here’s our pick of the best things to do in Cuba, from mojito-making to beach-hopping. (Look out for quotes from our product manager for Cuba, Cassie, who shared some of her favourite experiences with us.)

Explore Havana 

Cuba’s capital is an incredible place to explore. It’s the largest city in the Caribbean and effortlessly blends history and culture with sun-drenched Cuban charm.  

Vintage American cars parade up and down the streets of Habana Vieja (Old Havana) and the seafront Malecón, gleaming against a backdrop of crumbling colonial mansions. Backstreet galleries showcase local folk artists, while a cluster of museums offer fascinating insight into everything from revolutionary weapons to Japanese sculpture. And atmospheric bars serve up mojitos to a soundtrack of salsa – a glimpse into the Havana of Hemingway.

Must-see attractions in Cuba’s capital include the marble Christ of Havana statue overlooking the city from a hillside over the bay; the 16th century Fortress San Salvador de la Punta, guarding the city’s harbour; and the grand Plaza de la Revolución, dominated by the towering José Martí Memorial, dedicated to one of Cuba’s national heroes. 

Architecture is another of Havana’s highlights. The European neo-classical style of the 19th century is prominent, especially in the city’s upmarket Habaneros and extravagant palaces. Around Old Havana, you’ll find plenty of baroque buildings, plus religious and military structures like La Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana and the imposing Castillo del Morro. Havana’s architectural heritage extends into the 21st century with striking art deco and modernist buildings like the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, the Museum of the Revolution and the Central Railway Terminal.

Visit Viñales Valley

Head west from Havana and after a few hours’ driving, you’ll reach the lush Viñales Valley. This UNESCO-protected national park is a lush, green landscape, peppered with lumpy limestone hills known as mogotes. 

There are some incredible cave systems to explore here, including the Cuevo del Indio, once used by the Guanahatabey Amerindians. An underground river offers a unique way to explore – you’ll float gently along this subterranean waterway, admiring the wave-like patterns on the cave wall, before emerging into the bright sunlight. We’d highly recommend it as one of the best things to do in Cuba.

Embrace the rhythm of salsa

Visitors to Cuba will undoubtedly fall in love with its contagious, home-grown music – it’s impossible not to! Let the invigorating rhythm of salsa tunes, drifting from bars and small impromptu gatherings in old stone squares, lift your spirit and move your feet. 

If you want to join in with the dancing, your best bet is to try a salsa hall or club – Havana has some great ones, including Casa de la Musica (two locations) and Club Jardines de 1830. For live performances, just follow the sound of music to any neighbourhood bar or café and you’ll be in for a treat. Your tour manager will be able to recommend some of their favourite local picks, too.

Soak up the atmosphere in Trinidad 

The charming UNESCO World Heritage town of Trinidad is a delightful place to spend a day. The cobbled streets are made for exploring and the colourful houses that line the streets almost always have residents sat outside who are great to chat to.   

Plaza Mayor is the hub of the town with some great new private restaurants dotted around it and a number of bars claiming to make ‘the best mojitos in Cuba’! For a closer look at Trinidad’s history, have a nose around the town museum or pay a visit to the Museo Romantico, housed in a historic mansion. 

Learn about the revolution in Santa Clara

The final resting place of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, Santa Clara is one of the best places to visit in Cuba for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the revolutionary leader and his followers. This is the site of their last battle in the guerrilla war of 1958, and there’s a museum and mausoleum dedicated to Che.  

You can also see the famous military train, Tren Blindado, that was overtaken by the rebels in a significant move that paved the way for revolution in the country.

Discover the importance of Cuba’s agriculture

To gain a deeper understanding of the destination you’re visiting, it’s vital to meet the communities and people who live there.  

Once the largest producers of sugar cane and with the second largest crop area of tobacco, agriculture plays a significant role in Cuba’s economy, as does growing crops like cassava (a root vegetable), coffee, rice, beans, bananas and plantain. We’ll meet the locals who work in these farms and tour a 19th century French coffee plantation in Las Terraza, as well as meet a team from a tobacco plantation in Viñales Valley. 

Uncover the charm of Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos is a city well deserving of its nickname – ‘La Perla del Sur’ or in English, the Pearl of the South.  

It’s known for its neo-classical architecture, which is surprisingly well cared for. There is also a thriving local art scene in Cienfuegos and a wonderful artisanal street market down a cobbled street off the Parque Jose Marti which is well worth a browse.  

Dining wise, try one of the many new private restaurants that have popped up around the city. One of our favourites is Dona Nora, which is located on the main Paseo del Prado. Make sure you ask for a table on the upstairs balcony so you can look out over the Paseo as you dine. 

Tour the museum at the Bay of Pigs

Set on Cuba’s south coast, the Bay of Pigs is a mix of palm-edged beaches, swampy mangroves and coral reefs. But it’s most famously known as the location of a failed landing operation by 1,400 Cuban exiles who opposed Fidel Castro’s Cuban Revolution. 

Not far from the beach, you’ll find the fantastic Museo de Playa Girón, which tells the story of the invasion. It’s not big – just two rooms, in fact – but inside, you’ll find details of weapons and tactics, information on those who were killed or taken prisoner, and a poignant mural dedicated to those who died. Outside, you’ll see tanks and an aircraft which were used during the invasion.  

The Bay of Pigs is an important episode in Cuba’s history, so we would highly recommend this museum as one of the best tourist attractions in Cuba.

Try the food and drink

On our holidays in Cuba, we’ll drink cooling daquiris – a favourite of Hemingway’s – in the Floridita Bar. Or try Cuba’s signature cocktail, the mojito. A mix of rum, sugar cane, lime juice, mint and soda water makes for a delicious and refreshing drink. And, of course, strong coffee – made with Cuban beans, naturally.  

Your tastebuds will come alive, too. Traditional dishes including arroz con pollo (chicken and rice cooked with saffron and cumin) and Cuban potato balls with a picadillo meat filling, will impress. As will the classic Cuban sandwich, or Cubano. Great for lunch or a snack, this is a must. Cuban bread is filled with ham, roast pork, pickles, mustard and Swiss cheese in what is a fantastic combination of flavours. 

Relax on white-sand beaches 

Swaying palm trees, sparkling blue seas and powder-soft white sand – yep, beaches in Cuba are the stuff of holiday brochures.  

Just a few hours from Havana lies Varadero Beach. Known as the Blue Beach because of its crystal-clear waters, it is one of Cuba’s most famous coastlines. Cayo Ensenachos and Cayo Santa Maria are also glorious – places where you can spend some time at leisure, reading a book on a sunlounger and watching the waves gently crash into the shoreline. If you’re looking for paradise, it’s here. 

We’ve reached the end of our top 10 things to see and do in Cuba. If you’re feeling inspired to visit this gorgeous island, take a look at our Cuban Discovery tour, which ticks off all the Cuba attractions on this list (and more).