Santiago de Cuba

Best things to do in Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba Essentials

Santiago de Cuba serves as the cradle of the Revolution and a hub of Afro-Cuban culture. This selection features the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, where national figures José Martí and Fidel Castro are interred, and the Basílica de la Caridad del Cobre, Cuba's most sacred pilgrimage site. Architectural highlights include the 16th-century Casa de Diego Velázquez and the neoclassical Cathedral. The list also covers historical landmarks like the Loma de San Juan battlefield and the panoramic Balcón de Velázquez, alongside the cultural vibrancy of Casa del Caribe and the prehistoric sculptures of Baconao Park.

Santiago de Cuba Essentials — Map

DnTrotaMundos ☮ / CC BY 3.0

A

Cementerio Santa Ifigenia

Burial ground that was built to accomodate victims of the war of independence.

BluesyPete / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Our Lady of Charity

The Basílica Santuario Nacional de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre is a Roman Catholic minor basilica dedicated to the Blessed…

Dr. Vladimir Iván / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Asunción

Neoclassical cathedral originally founded in 1522. Rebuilt multiple times due to earthquakes and pirate attacks, the current structure features two bell towers and a frescoed interior.

nurzumspass / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Casa de Diego Velázquez

The oldest house of Cuba, built already in 1522! Used to be an official residence of the first Cuban governor, now museum of furnishing and…

Michal Zalewski / CC-BY-SA-3.0

E

Baconao Park and Biosphere Reserve

Baconao Park is a large park region, about 60 kilometers away from the city of Santiago de Cuba, with a total surface of 848.57 km2.

F

Steps of Padre Pico

One of the best known streets of Santiago that consists of 52 steps, with an excellent lookout. Come to see its charm!

Christian Pirkl / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Loma de San Juan

Historic site of the decisive 1898 battle during the Spanish-American War. The park features monuments, cannons, and plaques commemorating the American, Spanish, and Cuban soldiers who fought on these heights.

Anierc / CC BY 3.0

H

Valle de la Prehistoria

Located within Baconao Park, this open-air theme park features over 200 life-sized sculptures of dinosaurs and prehistoric humans, all hand-carved from stone and ferrocement.

I

Balcón de Velázquez

A historic terrace and lookout built on the site of a 16th-century fortification. It offers panoramic views of the harbor, the Tivolí neighborhood, and the Sierra Maestra mountains.

J

Casa del Caribe

Take a dance lessons in conga, son or salsa and impress your friends with wild moves when you come back home!