Cuba: A Beautiful Blend of City and Beach

Find out about the twin centre Cuba holiday destinations of Havana and Varadero, which offer visitors a beautiful blend of city and beach.

A Beautiful Blend of City and Beach

Dubbed ‘the Pearl of the Antilles’, the island of Cuba is a beautiful mix of cultures and customs which ensures it remains a popular holiday destination with tourists. The largest island in the Caribbean, it boasts picture-perfect beaches, a rich and diverse history and plenty of attractions to keep visitors entertained.

With both dreamy beaches at the coast and an enthralling history in the cities, many visitors to Cuba opt to spend a few nights in the colourful capital Havana before heading to Varadero, to enjoy the island’s best beach. These Cuba twin-centre holidays have become increasingly popular with tourists, allowing them to enjoy two destinations in one trip.

Havana

Cuba’s capital Havana is an enchanting city with a fascinating history, rich culture, diverse architecture and a kaleidoscope of citizens. The city centre is particularly interesting with streets echoing Cuba’s bygone glamour and its history, with grand colonial architecture contrasted against revolutionary artwork. 

As well as a striking collection of colonial architecture, Havana also boasts an array of impressive fortresses, castles and cathedrals. Plus, you can also enjoy a taster of 1950’s American history in Old Havana, where vintage American cars line the streets.

For art fans, Havana has a great collection, with plenty of street art as well as highly rated galleries. The popular Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes houses an interesting collection of artworks, paintings and statues, ranging from an early age until modern times. Equally renowned is the trendy Fábrica de Arte Cubanowhich showcases artwork and hasa runway with various performances.

Cuba’s art scene has also influenced a rise in bohemian cafes and bars in Havana. Private businesses are all the rage and you’ll find really creative haunts, from art-filled bars selling mouth-watering mojitos to stylish boutique hotels and cafes with décor inspired by Cuban music.

Cuisine in Cuba is varied with Caribbean, Spanish, African, Italian and even Chinese influences, and Havana, in particular, offers a wide choice of restaurants.

Varadero

Located around a two-hour drive east from Havana, Varadero is the largest holiday resort in the Caribbean and boasts a stunning 20 kilometre stretch of white sand that comes complete with clear, turquoise water. Set on a long peninsula, Varadero Beach is often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and is a popular choice with tourists. In fact, due to its undeniable beauty, beach holidays in Cuba are a common choice with holidaymakers, who often opt to enjoy an all-inclusive holiday in Varadero. All beach resorts in Varadero are generally of very high quality with direct beach access, a variety of restaurants to choose from and a wide array of facilities.

Water sports enthusiasts will also find plenty of options on VaraderoBeach, with both motorised and non-motorised sports available. Boat trips make for a fantastic excursion with catamaran, speed boat and yacht trips all popular choices. The collection of cays past the eastern tip of the peninsula (Blanco, Piedras and Romero)are typical stopping points and offer fantastic snorkelling opportunities with their small coral reefs and colourful sea life. 

The nearby Saturno Cave also makes for a popular excursion in Varadero and can often be visited as part of a snorkelling trip. To get to the cave, visitors must descend a large set of stairs and once inside the cave there’s a lovely swimming area.