Situated in the south east of the Cuba, about 870 kilometres from the capital of Havana, Santiago de Cuba is the nation’s second largest city and arguably its most soulful. Founded by the Spanish in 1515, this historical city is best known for its colonial architecture, revolutionary history and excellent museums. One of the most picturesque cities in Cuba, it is a hilly city with sloping streets, nestled between the coast and the Sierra Maestra mountain range. With its diverse ethnicity of inhabitants and its inspiring music tradition, the city streets are perpetually bustling with energy, particularly around the colonial quarter where the air is often filled with the intoxicating rhythms of Afro-Caribbean drums. With all of this on offer, it is little surprise that many visitors who make it this far east count Santiago as their favorite Cuban city.