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.

Set in the Plazuela de Jigüe, a tiny plaza shaded by one tree, is this colorful and historic restaurant (dating from 1720). An elegant Colonial-style restaurant, probably the best of Trinidad's state-run restaurants, El Jigüe (hee-gweh) is a brightly lit, nearly formal dining room in a handsome, airy colonial house. Its bright interior has high ceilings, chandeliers, and landscapes hung on white walls. The menu ranges from bistec of grilled pork to lobster in a red sauce (enchilado de langosta). The specialty, pollo al jigüe, is a Cuban version of chicken cacciatore, which comes in a clay pot with pasta and cheese and is served with salad and coffee.

Plaza Mayor, in the Historical Centre of Trinidad, is considered the second most significant square in the country, after Cathedral Square in Havana. This square captivates everybody for the Terpsichore sculpture, the dance muse, the white railings with delicate filigrees, the elegant Royal Palms trees and two greyhound guardians. It was restored by the inhabitants, and became the main place for religious processions, patron saint festivities, promenades and commerce. This delightful square is surrounded of colonial buildings:  Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad; the Palace of Count Brunet (now the Romantic Museum); the Museum of Archeology Guamuhaya (former Casa de Padrón); the Museum of Colonial Architecture (former Sanchez Iznaga residence). 

Although the city's cathedral was consecrated in 1892, the building took the better part of the 19th century to complete (it was built to replace the 17th-century church that was destroyed by a hurricane). The structure shows a neoclassic architectural style. Its interesting interior is replete with a dozen hardwood altars that date from the early 20th century and various colonial icons. Besides it preserves the famous Christ of Vera Cruz, and an altar – the only one of this kind in Cuba devoted to the Virgin of Mercy.