Cape Verde, or Cabo Verde as it is more formally known, is a breathtaking island nation located off the northwest coast of Africa. This archipelago of ten volcanic islands situated in the Atlantic Ocean, uniquely blends the influences of Africa, Portugal and Brazil. With breathtaking landscapes, turquoise beaches, vibrant music culture, charming people, Cape Verde is still an undiscovered dream waiting to be explored. If you are searching for adventure, culture or merely some relaxing time on the coast, here are some of the best destinations in Cape Verde.
1. Sal Island
Sal is the most tourist-friendly and well-known island in Cape Verde, and rightly so. With year-round sunshine, white sandy beaches and clear waters, it is heaven for beach lovers or water sport enthusiasts.
Santa Maria is your base on the island, and provides a relaxed atmosphere with beach restaurants and live music in the evenings. Sal’s selection of sports is extensive, especially for windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving. One place you absolutely must visit is Pedra de Lume: a crater filled with salt lakes into which you can float, similar to the Dead Sea.
2. Santiago Island
Santiago Island is the largest and most developed island and is often referred to as the center of Cape Verde. Santiago Island features a diverse array of urban areas, traditional villages, rugged mountains, and verdant valleys.
Located here is Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, which is an urban centre with numerous markets, a rich history, and Creole culture. The Plateau district of Praia features colonial architecture, and the bustling municipal market. An easy drive from the capital is Cidade Velha (“Old City”), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first European colonial settlement in the tropics. Cidade Velha offers rich history and includes a fortress, old churches, and a slave trading post.
3. Santo Antão
If you’re an outdoorsy person who likes to hike, then Santo Antão is the place to go in Cape Verde! It has the most spectacular scenery (the terrace valleys, majestic peaks, and jaw-dropping viewpoints/unspoiled gorge); after spending a week on the beach in Sal, it felt like a completely different world.
The island is very trekkers-friendly; especially the routes of Ribeira do Paúl and Cova crater – both offering phenomenal views of the mountainous hinterland. Villages like Ponta do Sol and Fontainhas are in a beautiful location out in the hills with authenticity and amazing views. On top of the natural scenery, the island is known for having the best grogue (sugarcane rum).
4. São Vicente
The island of São Vicente is the cultural capital of Cape Verde, as the lively region of Mindelo is located here and is the center of music, art, and nightlife. Mindelo is the birthplace of Cape Verde’s “barefoot diva” Cesária Évora, and her musical spirit still resonates throughout the city’s bars and restaurants.
One of the liveliest carnivals in the region, the Mindelo Carnival takes place in February. The carnival is characterized by vibrant parades, colorful costumes, a lively atmosphere, and Creole rhythms. Outside of the city, there are peaceful beaches and scenic drives among arid and volcanic landscapes.
5. Boa Vista
Boa Vista is offered a little visitor development but has appeal even though less developed it can be described as unspoiled, windblown beaches, sahara type sand dunes. The island has even more natural beauty and peace than Sal, and is perfect for romantic trips, desert excursions, and a quiet getaway.
Boa Vista is one of the best places in the world to see loggerhead turtles (particularly June – October during the nesting season), whale watching is popular from March – May when humpback whale migrate through the waters surrounding the island.
6. Fogo Island
Fogo (meaning “fire” in Portuguese) is a volcanic island, dominated by the towering Pico do Fogo (the highest point in Cape Verde at 2,829 m). Climbing this active volcano is a thrilling experience, with lava fields, black sand, and small villages within the crater.
São Filipe is the island’s main town, with colonial-style architecture and views of the sea. Fogo grows some of the best coffee and wine in the country, which is grown in the rich volcanic soil.
Final Thoughts
Cape Verde is a land of contrasts — from crater-marked volcanic islands to verdant valleys, from lively towns of music to tranquil towns of fishermen. To be able to island-hop its archipelago is one of the best ways to grasp the ultimate experience of each island’s distinct character and charm.
Whether you are trekking through the mountains of Santo Antão, dancing to morna with locals while experiencing the festival life in Mindelo, floating in the salt lakes of Sal, or watching baby turtles dig themselves into the warm sand in Boa Vista, Cape Verde presents us with an incredibly unique experience that aptly combines natural beauty with a cultural disposition.
Cape Verde is not only a destination; it is a feeling of rhythm, warmth, and discovery.
