Top places to visit in Santiago de Cuba

• Cuartel Moncada (Museo 26 de Julio)

  history · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The barracks stormed by Fidel Castro on 26 July 1953; still bullet-pocked, now a museum of the Revolution.

• Balcón de Velázquez

  viewpoint · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A terrace viewpoint over the Tivolí quarter and the bay, on the site of an early Spanish fort.

• Museo Emilio Bacardí Moreau

  history · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Cuba's oldest museum (1899), founded by the rum magnate; fine art, history and a mummy.

• Casa de Diego Velázquez

  history · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Reputedly the oldest house in Cuba (1516-30), now a colonial decorative-arts museum on Parque Céspedes.

• Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca (El Morro)

  fortress · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  UNESCO clifftop fortress (1638) at the bay entrance, a masterpiece of Renaissance military design with sunset cannon ceremony.

• Basílica del Cobre (Santuario de la Caridad)

  shrine · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Cuba's holiest shrine, 20 km from the city, home of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, patron of Cuba.

• Parque Céspedes

  plaza · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The animated central square framed by the cathedral, city hall and Hotel Casa Granda.

• Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción

  cathedral · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Santiago's twin-towered cathedral overlooking Parque Céspedes.

• Casa Natal de Antonio Maceo

  history · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Birthplace-museum of the independence hero General Antonio Maceo.

• Escalinata de Padre Pico

  landmark · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A monumental stone stairway climbing the Tivolí quarter, a Santiago landmark.

• Casa de la Trova Pepe Sánchez

  music-venue · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The most famous traditional-music house in Cuba, on Calle Heredia.

Things to do

• Santiago Revolution & History Tour Tour · 4 h · from USD 30 per person
• Castillo del Morro & Sunset Cannon Tour · 3 h · from USD 25 per person
• Casa de la Trova Music Night Show · 2 h · from USD 10 per person
• El Cobre Basilica Pilgrimage Tour · 4 h · from USD 30 per person
• Gran Piedra & Coffee Ruins Tour Hiking · 6 h · from USD 40 per person

Day trips and tours

• Santiago Heritage Day 8 h · from USD 60

Where to stay in Santiago de Cuba

• Centro Histórico about CUP 50 per night

  Around Parque Céspedes and Calle Heredia — the Casa de la Trova, cathedral and museums at your door.

Hotels

• Hotel Casa Granda 4-star
• Casa Particular Centro (Santiago) 2-star
• Meliá Santiago de Cuba 5-star

Where to eat

• La Taberna de Dolores Cuban · about USD 14 per person
• Compay Cuban, Caribbean · about USD 15 per person
• Bar Bohemio Cuban, Tapas · about USD 10 per person
• Casa de las Tradiciones Cuban · about USD 12 per person
• Fontana di Trevi Italian, Pizza · about USD 14 per person
• El Holandés International, Cuban · about USD 14 per person

Getting to Santiago de Cuba

Airport: Santiago de Cuba (SCU)

How visitors arrive in Santiago de Cuba

• Viazul bus from Havana By road from Havana · common

  Viazul buses reach the city from Havana, Baracoa, Trinidad and Varadero; Havana is the main route. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Overnight train from Havana By train from Havana · common

  The long-distance train runs from Havana through Matanzas, Santa Clara and Camaguey; the station is on the outskirts. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Flight to Antonio Maceo Airport By air from Havana · common

  Cubana flies from Havana and another carrier from Port-au-Prince; Holguin airport is an alternative. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Viazul coach from the train station unconfirmed

  Viazul long-distance coaches leave from beside the train station, which sits on the edge of town; plan a taxi onward. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Touts are persistent here. If you can, arrange your ride onward from the bus or train station in advance. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bus

  City buses are run by two services, Metrobús within the inner city and Omnibus Metropolitanos linking nearby towns to the centre.

• Shared Taxi
• Taxi

  Taxis can be found between Plaza de Marte and Parque Céspedes in the centre, and can be hired to go farther afield, including for a day.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Milk-for-the-baby request

  Santiago streets

  Someone asks you to buy powdered milk "for a baby" at a shop; the item is later returned for cash split with the vendor.

  How to avoid it: A polite no is fine; give to registered charities instead if you wish to help.

Best time to visit Santiago de Cuba

• Jan 28°C
• Feb 28°C
• Mar 28°C
• Apr 28°C
• May 28°C
• Jun 29°C
• Jul 31°C
• Aug 31°C
• Sep 31°C
• Oct 30°C
• Nov 30°C
• Dec 30°C

More in Cuba

• Havana
• Varadero
• Trinidad
• Viñales
• Cayo Coco
• Cienfuegos

Frequently asked questions about Santiago de Cuba

What are the main places to visit in Santiago de Cuba?

Places covered in our Santiago de Cuba guide include Cuartel Moncada (Museo 26 de Julio), Balcón de Velázquez, Museo Emilio Bacardí Moreau, Casa de Diego Velázquez, Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca (El Morro).

Where should I stay in Santiago de Cuba?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Santiago de Cuba: Centro Histórico.

How do I get around Santiago de Cuba?

Ways to get around Santiago de Cuba covered in our guide: City bus, Shared taxi, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Santiago de Cuba?

Scams reported to us for Santiago de Cuba include Milk-for-the-baby request. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Santiago de Cuba?

Average daytime highs in Santiago de Cuba run from 28°C in Jan to 31°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Santiago de Cuba?

The nearest airport to Santiago de Cuba has the code SCU.