The cemetery of Santa Ifigenia was founded in February of 1868, to the northwest of the city of Santiago de Cuba, and it was declared National Monument February 7 1937 and ratified as such by the Revolutionary Government May 20 1979. In this cemetery lies some of the personalities’ rest more valiant and illustrate of the independence wars, as well as some outstanding figures of the art and the Cuban culture.  This cemetery is home to the majestic mausoleum of the National Hero from Cuba, José Martí. The structure is true to Martí's wishes (expressed in one of his poems) that he be buried below the flag of Cuba and surrounded by roses. Besides this mausoleum there is a modest vault in a stone brought from Sierra Maestra, in which lies Fidel’s rest. Other highlights include the tombs of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, the Father of Our Homeland, and those who died in the Moncada Barracks attack and a memorial to Cuban soldiers who have fallen in battle. 

Located in front of the Céspedes Park, the Museum of Historical Cuban Atmosphere is one of the most important museums in Santiago de Cuba. The museum is constituted by two antique houses that were built in different times. One is from the 16th century while the other is from the 19th century, and both show the way of life of the centuries in which they were built. The oldest house was built in 1515 and is a gem of the colonial architecture. It was the Governor Diego Velázquez’s home and the Casa de Contratación y Fundición de Oro (Hiring House and Golden Foundry). After several changes, the house was restored in 1965 and the space was dedicated to show the way of life of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The most modern house dates from the first third of the 19th century and belonged to a local family named Quesada. This house is set in the way of life of the 19th century through a series of rooms like the hallway, the 19th century patio and the garage.

This is undoubtedly one of the city's most well-known streets. It offers an excellent natural viewing point and is the only stepped street in Cuba. It's part of the Tivoli neighborhood, where 18th-century French-colonial mansions sit side by side with 16th-century structures

In Tivolí you’ll find the famous Padre Pico steps, named for a Santiaguero priest who aided the city’s poor. Fidel Castro once roared fire and brimstone down on the Batista government here, but today you’ll find more pacific chess and domino players who have set up all-hours tables on the steps.