Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro

Culture, history and things to do in Cuba

Explore Cuba’s colonial streets, historic fortresses, landmark buildings and public art, from Havana to Santiago de Cuba and Trinidad.

This guide brings together places that reveal different sides of Cuba’s cultural and historical life, including fortresses, colonial districts and distinctive architecture. Several stops are in Havana, with others in Santiago de Cuba and Trinidad.

  1. Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro

    Things to do, Havana Province

    This late-16th-century fortress guards the entrance to Havana’s harbour. Its museum rooms, cannon-lined ramparts and views across the bay offer a close look at the city’s defensive history.

  2. Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca (El Morro de Santiago)

    Things to do, Santiago de Cuba Province

    Stone terraces rise above the entrance to Santiago de Cuba’s bay at this 17th-century fortress. Exhibits cover piracy and colonial defence, while the ramparts look out over the Caribbean.

  3. Coppelia

    Food & Drink, Havana Province

    The flying-saucer-shaped pavilion is a landmark of Cuban modernist architecture and appears in the opening scenes of the film Fresa y Chocolate. Its setting in a park makes the ice-cream stop part of the experience.

  4. El Floridita

    Food & Drink, Havana Province

    Trading since 1817, this corner bar is associated with the daiquiri and Ernest Hemingway, whose bronze figure leans on its marble bar. Live musicians add to its mid-century atmosphere.

  5. Fusterlandia

    Things to do, Havana Province

    Artist José Fuster’s mosaic-covered houses, arches and rooftops have transformed the fishing village of Jaimanitas into a public artwork. Visitors can stroll the tiled lanes and visit the studio complex at its heart.

  6. Hotel Nacional de Cuba

    Accommodation, Havana Province

    This 1930 hotel is a declared National Monument, with gardens above the Malecón and historic archives holding UNESCO Memory of the World status. Its terrace and gardens also welcome visitors who are not staying overnight.

  7. Old Havana (Habana Vieja)

    Things to do, Havana Province

    Old Havana’s cobbled streets connect shaded plazas, baroque churches, museums and cafes. The UNESCO World Heritage district remains a living neighbourhood, with restoration continuing alongside everyday city life.

  8. Trinidad and Plaza Mayor

    Things to do, Sancti Spíritus Province

    Founded in 1514, Trinidad’s colonial centre gathers around Plaza Mayor, with mansions turned into museums and a landmark bell tower. Nearby, the Valle de los Ingenios adds former sugar estates and a lookout tower to explore.