The Valle de los Ingenios, declared World Heritage since 1988, is located about 12 km outside of Trinidad and has been around since the 17th century.  This fertile agricultural land was cultivated and developed into one of the major sugar producing areas of Cuba, helping Trinidad to become one of the richest cities on the Caribbean island. At the top of the "Torre Manacas-Iznaga" (built at the beginning of the 19th century), you can get an overview of the valley. This 45 meter-high structure is equipped with a bell tower that was used to oversee the thousands of slaves working on the sugar plantations.

A block south of Plaza Mayor stands the grand Palacio Cantero, built in 1830. It has a magnificent ladder and great neoclassical paintings performed by local and Italian artists. Painted pillars, scrolls, shells, pediments and drapes embellish the interior, eclipsing the historical artefacts and old furniture that now form the Trinidad's History Museum. 

Located a block to the north of the Plaza Mayor in a former convent is the Museo Nacional de Lucha Contra Bandidos (National Museum of the Struggle against Counter-Revolutionaries). The museum exhibits documents the campaign to weed out rebels who hid in the Escambray mountains in the 1960s.

The Museum of Colonial Architecture on the east side of the main square has examples of woodwork, ironwork, stained glass and other items culled from colonial houses. Museum also offers guided tours through the historic streets of Trinidad.