Above a fishing village overlooking the narrow entrance to the Bahía de Cienfuegos is a Spanish fortress built in 1745 to keep out pirates who had grown accustomed to trading with locals. Castillo de Jagua Fortress was declared National Monument. It's completely refurbished (even the drawbridge works) and has a historical museum with weapons and other antiques. The dungeon houses a bar and restaurant. Choice of dishes from the world’s cuisine and “La Dama Azul” (The Blue Lady) paella as the main course. It also offers cocktail, drink, and juice service, livened up with live music and special nights with the production of the Blue Lady's legend. Local legend holds that the site is haunted by the ghost of a mysterious female figure dressed in a blue gown; given the fort's notorious history, who can say for sure?

This restaurant, in the dazzling setting of the most famous building in town, features good quality fish and seafood, including lobster. The rooftop bar at the architecturally amazing Palacio de Valle is a great spot for a sunset drink and often has live music.

Local musicians perform nightly at this friendly music club, where you'll hear a few hits that the region's best-known musician made famous.

The city's bright yellow neoclassical cathedral, with its high central bell tower reminiscent of a minaret, was consecrated in 1870. Its interior is less impressive than the renovated exterior, but it does feature a statue of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception—the city's patron saint—and stained glass windows from France that depict the 12 apostles.