Updated July 2026
Havana and Trinidad attract most visitors to Cuba—and rightly so. But if you venture a little further, you’ll discover one of the country’s most elegant and underrated cities. With its UNESCO-listed historic centre, graceful neoclassical architecture, relaxed waterfront and fascinating history, Cienfuegos offers a quieter side of Cuba that’s well worth exploring.
In Cienfuegos, we only met a few other travellers and not one with children! But it’s a shame. This World Heritage city with extraordinary neoclassical buildings, a Malecón rivaling Havana and an unusual cemetery, is charming and relaxing. It’s not for nothing it’s called Pearl of the South.
Why visit Cienfuegos?
Cienfuegos was founded in 1812 on Spanish territory. But the settlers were French settlers, many of whom had previously lived in Louisiana or the French colony of Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti). They established the city in 1819 under Spanish rule.
a bit confusing. The governor was Spanish and gave them permission to build a city. As a thank you they named it after him: Cienfuegos.
Of course before the Spanish came, Cuba was inhabited by an indigenous people called Taino. The indigenous Taíno population was devastated by European diseases, forced labour and violence following Spanish colonisation, and most communities disappeared within a few generations.
During our visit we encountered remarkably few other visitors, even around Punta Gorda and the Malecón. It gave the city a peaceful atmosphere that contrasted sharply with Havana.
THINGS TO DO IN CIENFUEGOS
UNESCO Historic Center
The old historic center is a World Heritage site, since it’s the best existing example of early 19th century Spanish Enlightenment implementation in urban planning. Okay, that description may sound rather technical, but UNESCO designated it for good reason. In other words: Cienfuegos is a great place to see 1800’s city plan inspired by reason and functionality.
Teatro Tomás Terry
The Teatro Tomás Terry is one of the most prestigious and architecturally significant theatres in Cuba. Sarah Bernhardt once perfomed here. Located in the heart of Cienfuegos facing Parque José Martí, it is celebrated as one of the island’s three great 19th-century regional theatres, alongside Teatro Sauto in Matanzas and Teatro La Caridad in Santa Clara.
The theatre is close to all the other neoclassical gems like Museo Provincial as seen in the first image and the Cathedral by the lovely José Marti Parque. You’ll also find an Arc de Triomphe celebrating the independence – from the Spanish…!
The “bright blue building” on the west side of Parque José Martí, Palacio Ferrer, which houses the Museo de las Artes (Museum of the Arts). Built in 1917 for a wealthy sugar magnate, it features a cupola you can climb for sweeping city views.
More sights include the fort Castillo de Jagua from 1742 at the end of the bay built to prevent pirates from attacking. Ironically, the very first settlers in the city in the 1600’s were actually pirates.
The dark side of the architecture
Like much of Cuba, Cienfuegos reflects its European heritage through elegant pastel-coloured colonial buildings. Nowhere else in the Caribbean is there such a remarkable concentration of neoclassical architecture.
But it has a dark history too. Like the grand theatre built by a rich slave trader. He bought sick enslaved people for a dime, and then treated them in order to sell for profit. The building is magnificent, but its history is more complicated. It was financed by a wealthy slave trader whose fortune was built on human suffering—a reminder that many beautiful colonial buildings also have uncomfortable stories behind them.
Colonial buildings are pretty and characterful – here as well as in Vietnam and Ghana and so on, but they should also remind you of the earlier foreign powers in that country and the often not-so-pretty history.
For more on dark tourism: 20 Dark Tourism Sites: From Pompeii to Ground Zero.
Cementerio La Reina
Not too many cemeteries are worth writing about. But a few like Père Lachaise in Paris (which you can read about in 5 Dark Tourism Sites in Paris, France) or the Jewish cemetery in Prague are worth it. And then this. I remember this strange experience vividly. It’s listed in the Atlas Obscura as well.
The actual name of this place is Cementerio la Reina – the queens cemetery. It’s the city’s oldest cemetery and you find many Spanish soldiers buried here.
It’s also the only cemetery in Cuba, still with burial niches, where also the bees are nestling. This because of the high groundwater level. As we clearly could see… It felt eerie, melancholy and strangely beautiful all at once. (But I also work in a place with 2000 dead people under it, so it clearly speaks to me).
We took a horse carriage back from the cemetery since our son was tired out. It was actually illegal for the poor guy to pick us up, but fortunately he did so anyway. I am happy he did not get caught and fined. This was before Castro died, it became easier for regular people to have a small tourism business.
Malecón de Cienfuegos
Strolling along the water on a fine promenade with the wind blowing in the palm tress and little houses in pink or green greeting you. Not at all what I had expected in Cienfuegos. Maybe because we had bad weather in Havana, this Malecón really ensnared me.
Palacio de Valle
Head for Punta Gorda; the way is lined with small palaces built by the wealthy in 1920’s.
The Palacio de Valle is an architectural masterpiece in Cuba, located in the exclusive Punta Gorda neighborhood of Cienfuegos, a city known as the “Pearl of the South.” This monumental palace stands out for its extravagant mix of styles and its stunning views of Jagua Bay.
Like the ornate Palacio de Valle. We didn’t meet a single tourist here – despite this being a perfect spot for swimming, picnicking, drinking cocktails in the sunset. We had to be very persuasive to convince the bartender to make us some drinks, because he was closed… But maybe this has changed now?
We walked out to the Malecón and took a bicycle taxi back. The driver was nice enough to let me try to drive. It was really hard. The guy was so friendly, that we gave him our babystroller (you can see it strapped on in the back) to pass on to someone, who could use it. We were tired of bumping it around the cobbled streets, and it’s just a bad idea when backpacking.
Street life
Life in Cuba is lived outside. On the streets, on the squares and in the parks. Everywhere you meet old guys playing games and all you feel like doing is just chill, eat cheap icecream. I wanted to join in, but there were never any women playing…
Practical tips
How long to stay: 2 days is ideal.
Don’t miss
- Parque José Martí
- Teatro Tomás Terry
- Palacio de Valle
- Punta Gorda
- Cementerio La Reina
Good for
- History lovers
- Families
- Architecture enthusiasts
Travelling with children
We visited Cuba back in 2009, when our son was 4. It’s no problem to travel in Cuba with kids and everyone is extremely nice, but if you can leave the stroller behind – do it.
Tourism wasn’t that developed in 2009, so we primarily stayed in casa particulares – someone’s home. They served extravagant breakfasts and dinners impossible to eat – but with lots of fresh fruit juice and the always present chicken and flan.
Is Cienfuegos Worth Visiting?
Cienfuegos may not have Havana’s energy or Trinidad’s postcard-perfect streets, but that’s exactly its charm. It’s a relaxed city where elegant architecture, Caribbean sea views and everyday Cuban life come together without the crowds. If you’re looking to experience another side of Cuba, don’t skip the Pearl of the South.
Read more on the city’s official page.
If you like travelling to places off the beaten track, try Medieval family fun in the Swedish summer city Visby on the island of Gotland!
Have you visited Cuba?
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