QUICK GUIDE OF THINGS TO DO IN TRINIDAD, CUBA

Cuba’s Trinidad is a beautiful colonial town and the laneways containing its multi-coloured houses is where life takes place. Locals sit on their steps watching the world go by. Fold-out tables host high-stakes dominoes. Freshly re-conditioned motorcycle engines are lined up ready for sale.

Despite the number of tourists congregating around the more colourful streets, it’s easy to wander away from the main squares and take in a slice of real Trinidad. Here’s a quick guide of our favourite things to do in Trinidad, Cuba.

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SEE

TOP SIGHTS IN TRINIDAD, CUBA

Strolling around the colourful streets and soaking up the vibe is what visiting this colonial gem is all about. Here are 3 of our favourite things to do in Trinidad, Cuba.

MUSEO DE HISTORIA MUNICIPAL

While the museum could do with a good dust, the views from the roof of Trinidad’s iconic bell tower are well worth it. Arrive close to closing time for late afternoon sun. / Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 Sat-Thur | Cost: 2 CUC | Location: 423 Calle Desengaño

BACKSTREETS

Spend some time escaping the tourist areas with a stroll along the much lived-in back streets. Be sure to check-out Calle Amargura up to Plaza de Las Cruces for a vignette of local life unfolding in Cuba’s Trinidad.

PLAZA DE SANTA ANA

Stroll by the church ruins in the Plaza de Santa Ana to see a ghost of Cuba’s Spanish past. The light bouncing off the crumbling walls is perfect in the late afternoon, which is also when the locals congregate around the last square in town free from tourists. / Location: Plaza de Santa Ana

SEE

TOP SIGHTS IN TRINIDAD, CUBA

Strolling around the colourful streets and soaking up the vibe is what visiting this colonial gem is all about. Here are 3 of our favourite things to do in Trinidad, Cuba.

MUSEO DE HISTORIA MUNICIPAL

While the museum could do with a good dust, the views from the roof of Trinidad’s iconic bell tower are well worth it. Arrive close to closing time for late afternoon sun. / Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 Sat-Thur | Cost: price | Location: 423 Calle Desengaño

BACKSTREETS

Spend some time escaping the tourist areas with a stroll along the much lived-in back streets. Be sure to check-out Calle Amargura up to Plaza de Las Cruces for a vignette of local life unfolding in Trinidad

PLAZA DE SANTA ANA

Stroll by the church ruins in the Plaza de Santa Ana to see a ghost of Cuba’s Spanish past. The light bouncing off the crumbling walls is perfect in the late afternoon, which is also when the locals congregate around the last square in town free from tourists. / Location: Plaza de Santa Ana

DRINK

COCKTAILS & COFFEE

Quirky drinking spaces are very on-trend in Trinidad at the moment. Here are a few options from cool to old-school that provided some of the best liquid things to do in Trinidad.

CAFÉ DON PEPE

Select from over 40 different coffee drinks – both with and without alcohol – in this cool courtyard space. Wake up with their simple breakfast of bread and honey, go to bed on their Kahula Dreams. / Hours: 8:00 – 23:00 Sun-Fri; 10:00 – 23:00 Sat | Location: 363 Calle Boca

CASA DE LA TROVA

Order a beer and pull up a seat under the bright blue façade, watching the activity unfold at the busy market on the square. Munch on the only thing they have on the menu, a ham and cheese sandwich. / Location: 29 Calle Cristo

CAFE FORTUNA

Mercifully too small for package tour groups, Café Fortuna is off the quirkiness scale with bathtubs to sit in, old style TV’s and loads of foreign currency pinned to every inch of wall and ceiling space. Pop in this pint-sized bar for a fun pre-dinner drink. / Location: Calle Rosario

DRINK

COCKTAILS & COFFEE

Quirky drinking spaces are very on-trend in Trinidad at the moment. Here are a few options from cool to old-school that provided some of the best liquid things to do in Trinidad.

CAFÉ DON PEPE

Select from over 40 different coffee drinks – both with and without alcohol – in this cool courtyard space. Wake up with their simple breakfast of bread and honey, go to bed on their Kahula Dreams. / Hours: 8:00 – 23:00 Sun-Fri; 10:00 – 23:00 Sat | Location: 363 Calle Boca

CASA DE LA TROVA

Order a beer and pull up a seat under the bright blue façade, watching the activity unfold at the busy market on the square. Munch on the only thing they have on the menu, a ham and cheese sandwich. / Location: 29 Calle Cristo

CAFE FORTUNA

Mercifully too small for package tour groups, Café Fortuna is off the quirkiness scale with bathtubs to sit in, old style TV’s and loads of foreign currency pinned to every inch of wall and ceiling space. Pop in this pint-sized bar for a fun pre-dinner drink. / Location: Calle Rosario

EAT

TRINIDAD FOOD

While the private restaurant scene in Cuba is new, Trinidad takes the cake with some of the best food in the country. Everyone knows it too – these places require booking ahead or queueing.

LA BOTIJA

Get here early to beat the queues and soak up the rustic vibe, excellent live music and good hearty Cuban food. For those who like their food delivered with dramatic flair, in a cool environment, this is one of the best things to do in Trinidad. / Bookings: online here | Location: 71B Calle Amargura

CASA GIROUD

By day, Casa Giroud is a relaxed pizza joint with a small selection of tapas dishes – ideal if you’re looking for a break from rice and beans. By night, it’s another queue to get into this very popular eatery. / Hours: 10:00 – 23:00 | Location: Calle Rosario

VISTA GOURMET

Enjoy views from their roof terrace and possibly some of the best food in Cuba. Try to position yourself away from the live band, which in very un-Cuban fashion, was awful. / Hours: 12:00 – midnight | Location: Callejón de Gallegos

EAT

TRINIDAD FOOD

While the private restaurant scene in Cuba is new, Trinidad takes the cake with some of the best food in the country. Everyone knows it too – these places require booking ahead or queueing.

LA BOTIJA

Get here early to beat the queues and soak up the rustic vibe, excellent live music and good hearty Cuban food. For those who like their food delivered with dramatic flair, in a cool environment, this is one of the best things to do in Trinidad. / Bookings: online here | Location: 71B Calle Amargura

CASA GIROUD

By day, Casa Giroud is a relaxed pizza joint with a small selection of tapas dishes. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a break from rice and beans. By night, it’s another queue to get into this very popular eatery. / Hours: 10:00 – 23:00 | Location: Calle Rosario

VISTA GOURMET

Enjoy views from their roof terrace and possibly some of the best food in Cuba. Try to position yourself away from the live band, which in very un-Cuban fashion, was awful. / Hours: 12:00 – midnight | Location: Callejón de Gallegos

WHERE NEXT?

Firstly, if you found this guide useful, follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with our travel plans.

If you are planning to travel around Cuba make sure you read all our travel tips for Cuba as well as our guide for getting around Cuba. Our detailed guide on all our favourite things to do in Trinidad is here.

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It’s easy to wander away from the main squares and take in a slice of real Trinidad. Here’s our quick guide of what to see, do and eat while exploring this colonial gem. / Trinidad, Cuba.

It’s easy to wander away from the main squares and take in a slice of real Trinidad. Here’s our quick guide of what to see, do and eat while exploring this colonial gem. / Trinidad, Cuba.

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