On which island house in Cape Verde?

Travel to Cape Verde, a dream holiday in the Atlantic! Here are the islands where to stay in Cape Verde during your stay!

Island State of West Africa off Senegal and Mauritania, Cape Verde is an archipelago composed of ten volcanic islands, with a total area of approximately 4,000 km2. The archipelago is divided into two series of islands where 538 535 inhabitants live: the islands of Sotavento south (Maio, Santiago, Fogo, Brava) and the islands of Barlavento north (Sal, Boa Vista, Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau).

This former colony of Portugal – from 1456 to 1975 – is a mosaic of cultures mixed with African and European influences. With its beaches, volcanoes and desert landscapes, fortified by the hospitality of the inhabitants and its semi-desert tropical climate (25°-30°C year-round), the birthplace of Césaria Evora fascinates and attracts more and more international travellers. The archipelago also houses an endemic flora of 35% (85 endemic species out of a total of 240). Unlike what one might believe, live and stay in Cape Verde can be expensive: it is indeed necessary to import everything because the archipelago has little resources.

Between Sal, Santiago, Santo Antao, Fogo, Sao Nicolao, Sao Vicente or Boa Vista, you will find unique desert and lunar landscapes in the world, paradise beaches and other greener areas between the mountains. You who ask where to sleep in Cape Verde, here are to guide you on which island to stay in Cape Verde.

Santiago

With an area of 991 km2, Santiago is the largest island in Cape Verde, located between Maio and Fogo. It is also the country’s economic lung, with the capital, Praia. With 273,919 inhabitants, Santiago houses half of the population of the archipelago, including 127,832 inhabitants in Praia. Discovered in 1460 by conquistador António da Noli, Santiago is sometimes abandoned by the public. The center of the island, perched on a rocky plateau called Plato, is worth a visit after a visit to the capital, Praia.

In the streets of these, the animation that is there differs from the tranquillity characterizing the rest of the island. The fishing port and the markets allow you to enjoy a picturesque and popular atmosphere where there are very few tourists. Here the grilled fish will make the majority of your meals! On Santiago, enjoy renting a scooter to visit the island and take a room to sleep in Praia for the evening. To help you find the perfect accommodation, you can read our article " In which area to stay in Praia? » .

Fogo

The second largest island in the west of the archipelago, Fogo is home to the only still active volcano in the country: the Pico do Fogo. The great crater of Cha des Caldeiras, at 2000 meters above sea level offers beautiful hikes in a lunar setting. The Pico do Fogo is the highest point in Cape Verde, with a summit at 2,829 meters above sea level: splendid panorama guaranteed by clear weather! To find accommodation in Fogo, target the municipalities of São Filipe, Curral Grande, São Jorge or São Lourenço.

Sao Vicente

The second largest island in Cape Verde, Sao Vicente attracts the most social activity. It is one of the most frequented islands in the archipelago and the bars and discotheques jump into the streets of Mindelo, where 90% of the island population lives. The shops were installed in old colonial buildings, offering a rather picturesque charm. Don’t miss the Centre National d’Artisanat, and Mindelo, a popular city of artists.

Santo Antão

Santo Antão is the only Cape Verdean island to have mountainous and green landscapes: on the hillside, many terraced cultures are built for the agricultural culture of the premises. It’s a good idea of the island where to stay in Cape Verde if you’re passionate about hiking. The island is considered by the premises as the Cape Verde wheat attic: the island draws its main resources from agriculture.

Sal

Sal is the most frequented island in Cape Verde, especially for its desert, ultra-secure and flat landscape. A visit to the island is worth a visit, to appreciate a singular contrast between the very black volcanic rock and the turquoise water of the paradise beaches. To stay in Sal, there are only four cities: Espargos, Santa Maria, Murdeira and Palmeira. Enjoy the beaches, Sal salines, and dive into Murdeira Bay.