The country’s second-oldest and second-largest city has a flavor all its own as the most African, and the most musical city, in Cuba. It was founded in 1511 on the hilly east shore of a deep, flask-shaped bay. Its colonial core is full of historic buildings, while its fascinating past as the second capital of Cuba is enriched by its importance as a hotbed of political upheaval. Fidel Castro studied here and later initiated the Revolution with an attack on the Moncada barracks. Santiago explodes with colorful frenzy during Carnaval each July.
NEED TO KNOW
El Morro • Carretera al Morro, km 7.5 • 22 69 1569 • 8:30am– 9:30pm daily • Adm: CUC$4; cameras CUC$5 
Museo Emilio Bacardí • Calle Pío Rosado • 22 62 8402 • 9am–5pm Mon–Sat, 9am–3pm Sun • Adm: CUC$2; cameras CUC$5 Cementerio Santa Ifigenia • Avenida Capitán Raúl Perozo • 22 63 2723 • 8am–5pm daily • Adm: CUC$3; cameras CUC$5 Cuartel Moncada • Avenida Moncada • 22 66 1157 • 9am–4:30pm Tue–Sat, 9am–12:30pm Sun & Mon • Adm: CUC$2; cameras CUC$5 1.El Morro
At the entrance to Santiago Bay, the 17th- century El Morro castle offers stunning coastal vistas. Soldiers in period costume march onto the ramparts and fire a cannon at dusk.
El Morro
2.Museo Emilio Bacardí
Visitors can view colonial-era armaments, relics from the slave trade, and a superlative body of paintings and sculptures in Cuba’s oldest museum.
Museo Emilio Bacardí
3.Plaza de la Revolución
This vast plaza was used primarily for political rallies and features a massive monument of General Antonio Maceo.
4.Reserva de la Biosfera Baconao
Just east of Santiago, this reserve features a dolphinarium, a classic car museum, artist communities, on a mountain coffee estate, and a lovely tropical garden (for further details see Parque Baconao and Around).
5.Parque Céspedes
At the heart of the city, this square is lined with historic buildings such as the Casa de Diego Velázquez, and the Catedral de la Asunción.
Panoramic view of Santiago de Cuba
6.Vista Alegre
A leafy residential district, Vedado features mansions and Modernist homes. The Casa del Caribe and Museo de las Religiones Populares honor the city’s rich Afro-Cuban culture.
7.El Cobre
This village is famous for the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre, Cuba’s most important church, where pilgrims gather to pray to the Virgin of Charity.
8.Cementerio Santa Ifigenia
Many important figures are buried here, including José Martí, whose guard of honor changes every half hour. Fidel Castro will also be interred here one day.
9.Cuartel Moncada
The setting for Castro’s attack on July 26, 1953 (for further details see 1953: Castro Attacks Moncada), this former military barracks is today a school housing the Museo Histórico 26 de Julio recalling the failed venture, as well as exhibits recounting a general history of Cuba.
Cuartel Moncada
10.Plaza Dolores
Popular, tree-shaded Plaza Dolores is a pleasant place to relax. The former Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores church on the east side now functions as a venue for classical concerts.
Plaza Dolores
VIRGEN DE LA CARIDAD DEL COBRE
Miraculous powers are ascribed to the Virgin of Charity, Cuba’s patron saint, who is represented as a black Virgin Mary holding a black Christ. According to Cuban legend, three fishermen were caught in a storm in 1608 and survived because a statue of the Virgin appeared, calming the seas for them.
