7-day itinerary
7 Days in Cuba
Havana, Trinidad & Varadero
Cuba is a living time capsule where colonial grandeur, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and revolutionary spirit collide in the most intoxicating way imaginable. From Havana's crumbling baroque facades to Trinidad's cobblestone plazas and Varadero's turquoise shores, this 7-day journey immerses culture lovers in one of the world's most singular destinations.
Morning: Arrive at José Martí International Airport, check into a casa particular in Centro Habana, and walk to the Malecón to shake off jet lag with sea spray and sweeping views.
Afternoon: Dive into Habana Vieja's UNESCO-listed core, marveling at Plaza de la Catedral and the baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal before ducking into the Museo de Arte Colonial.
Evening: Sip a mojito at La Bodeguita del Medio where Hemingway drank, then feast on ropa vieja at a paladar on Calle Obispo.
Morning: Visit Plaza de la Revolución to photograph the iconic Che Guevara steel mural on the Ministry of the Interior, then explore the nearby Museo de la Revolución inside Batista's former presidential palace.
Afternoon: Wander the bohemian Vedado neighborhood, stopping at the haunting Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón cemetery, one of the most architecturally stunning burial grounds in the Americas.
Evening: Catch a live son cubano performance at Fábrica de Arte Cubano, Havana's electrifying multi-disciplinary arts space housed in a converted cooking-oil factory.
Morning: Take an early Víazul bus from Havana's terminal to Trinidad (approximately 5–6 hours), watching the Cuban countryside roll by with palm-studded hills and ox-drawn carts.
Afternoon: Arrive in Trinidad and immediately lose yourself in the cobblestoned Plaza Mayor, admiring the mustard-yellow Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad and surrounding colonial mansions.
Evening: Climb the bell tower of the Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos for panoramic terracotta rooftop views, then enjoy dinner at a casa de la comida on Calle Rubén Martínez Villena.
Morning: Visit the Museo Romántico inside the Palacio Brunet, whose period furniture and painted tile floors reveal the opulent lifestyle of 19th-century sugar aristocracy.
Afternoon: Hire a local guide for a half-day excursion to Valle de los Ingenios, a UNESCO-protected valley scattered with crumbling sugar-mill towers and slave barracks that tell a sobering history.
Evening: Head to Casa de la Música on the steps of Iglesia Parroquial for the best free-spirited salsa dancing in Cuba, where locals and travelers share rum and rhythm under the stars.
Morning: Hike or take a horseback ride into the Topes de Collantes nature reserve to reach the Caburní waterfall, a refreshing 62-meter cascade through lush sierra cloud forest.
Afternoon: Browse Trinidad's famous artisan market on the steps near Plaza Mayor for handmade lace, papier-mâché Che figurines, and embroidered linens directly from local craftswomen.
Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner in Trinidad at Restaurante Guitart, a romantic paladar set in a colonial courtyard with live guitar and exceptional lobster at surprisingly affordable prices.
Morning: Catch the early Víazul bus or a shared taxi north to Varadero (approximately 4 hours), checking into a boutique hotel or casa in the quieter eastern end of the peninsula away from all-inclusive resorts.
Afternoon: Visit the Museo Municipal de Varadero inside the charming 1920s Mansion Xanadú to understand the peninsula's pre-revolutionary history as a playground for American millionaires.
Evening: Walk the quieter stretches of Varadero beach at golden hour, then dine at Casa de Al near the peninsula's tip for fresh grilled fish with ocean views and cold Cristal beer.
Morning: Join a snorkeling or scuba trip to the coral reefs off Varadero, where you'll encounter parrotfish, sea turtles, and brain coral in strikingly clear Caribbean waters.
Afternoon: Spend your final afternoon relaxing on Varadero's impossibly white beach, or visit the Cueva de Ambrosio, a limestone cave adorned with over 50 pre-Columbian Siboney rock paintings.
Evening: Return to Havana by shared taxi if your flight departs from José Martí, savoring one last Cuban coffee and a hand-rolled Montecristo cigar to close out an unforgettable week.
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