The hills east of Santiago were the site of the decisive battle of the Spanish-American War in 1898. A small park and monument marks the battle site, with rusting cannon and a bronze eagle commemorating the US assault. The site is relatively modest — no grand visitor centre — but the views back towards the city and the harbour are fine, and the historical significance is hard to overstate.
It is easily combined with a visit to the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery and the Moncada Barracks. A taxi from the centre takes about 15 minutes. Spanish-language interpretive panels tell the Cuban perspective on the battle, which differs from the American version in some instructive ways.