The 15 things to do in Cape Verde

Visit Cape Verde? Here is a question that has been tagging you since you have your ticket to Praia: here are the best things to do and see in Cape Verde!

Cape Verde is one of the most popular tourist destinations in recent years: the archipelago of ten volcanic islands with tropical climate off Senegal in the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde is known for the beauty of its natural and wild landscapes and also for the hospitality of its residents. Visit Cape Verde, these pieces of moon perched on the Atlantic, will leave an indelible mark on your vacation. With a total population of 538 535 inhabitants, the archipelago of Cape Verde consists of the islands of Brava, Fogo, Santiago – the most populous -, Maio, Boa Vista, Sal, São Nicolau, Santa Luzia, São Vicente and Santo Antão.

Between beaches, hikes, cultural visits, discoveries of Cape Verdean culture, you surely wonder how to optimize your stay to know what to do in Cape Verde according to your dates. To guide you, we have concocted a top of the must-see and do in Cape Verde.

1. The island of Santiago

Largest island in Cape Verde, Santiago is considered the essence of the archipelago. Sharing the majority of the population, Praia, its capital, popular for the traditional face it offers to visitors. But Santiago, it is also a lush nature and surrounding landscapes to the delightful electism that, from the beaches of black sand to the great summits, passing through the desert areas and typical villages, promise a journey rich in culture and adventure.

2. Praia

Freshly disembarked from the plane to , we find ourselves at the outset in a crossroads of cultures, between Europe, Africa and Latin America. Travellers often deplore their low interest in Praia, the Cape Verdean capital.

But there is indeed an immanquable thing to do in Cape Verde: the Praia market . Torn in the midst of the stalls of fish, meat, fruit and vegetables freshly produced by the locals is to explore the country’s popular culture and immerse itself in the culinary habits of its population.

Intoxicate yourself with multiple flavors and scents under the noises of traders who exchange with their customers, an authentic charm guaranteed! The city centre of Praia is surrounded by a rocky plateau known as Plato. On both sides of this Plato, the two beaches of the city, Praia Mar and Quebra Canela . Enjoy a walk in Praia to visit the Archaeological Museum of Praia, then go to visit Cidade Velha 10 kilometers west: the first city built by the Portuguese in the Middle Ages.

3. Fogo Island

Fogo , it is the island that attracts adventurers. It is it that houses the eponymous volcano, a beautiful dormant since 1995, a symbol of full epic for all enthusiasts who seek to do at Cape Verde. Fogo is also São Filipe: the capital of the place, the starting point to the volcanic ascent, it is a ground foot that visitors enjoy meeting through a heritage with unsuspected wealth.

As surprising as it may seem, Fogo is also a well-known fertile land in the entire archipelago: coffee, goat cheese, vegetables and vines provide the island with a world-renowned production and promises to give visitors another taste of the journey.

4. Mont Fogo

Very famous, Pico do Fogo is the only still active volcano in the country, the highest point in Cape Verde, at 2,829 metres above sea level. How to visit Cape Verde without climbing the Fogo?

Overlooking the caldeira of Chã das Caldeiras, the volcano shows a grandiose show. It has been active since 22 to 24 million years and the last eruption dates back to 2014. The hike with 1,200 meters in the slag is really worth a visit: unique lunar landscape in the world or almost!

5. São Filipe

Beyond its volcano, Fogo is home to a unique culture and heritage born from a meticulous blend of traditions. A rich mix that has been able to transform the history of the island, originally colonized and slave to develop the culture of cotton and, in particular, the manufacture of grapes. Witness to the history of yesterday and tomorrow, São Filipe , chief place of this volcanic land, now houses some 5,000 inhabitants. Dressed with old colonial dwellings, churches and other places, it is a ground foot that will please any type of traveler.

If you want to visit Cape Verde and Fogo you don’t have the ascent of the volcano, know that São Filipe has more than one tower in its land. After silling the streets of the city, go to the discovery of its black sandy beaches and let yourself be surprised by the superb panorama offered by the viewpoint of Aguadinha.

A lunar experience that takes all its meaning at the foot of the volcano, in the villages of Portela and Bangaeira . Victims of the volcano and today sentinels, they bear the stigmata of such a beautiful and powerful nature.

6. The island of Brava

The smallest island in Cape Verde, the main activity of Brava consists of hiking, pleasant if you don’t feel to survey the 2,829 meters above sea level of Pico do Fogo. It is recommended that of Fontanha de Vinagre, Faja De Agua (especially for natural pools, perfect for swimming) and the Jalunga lighthouse. North of the island, the islands of Rei and Luiz Carneiro allow you to see many bird colonies and the culminating point of Brava, the Fontainhas peak, promises a breathtaking view of the ocean.

Finally to discover the local life, its heritage and its specialties, make a stopover Nova Sintra : capital of the island, it is appreciated for its welcoming and lively evenings.

Good to know. : Brava remains the less easy island of the archipelago (only accessible by boat from Fogo): if you are going to visit Cape Verde by wishing to be safe from tourism and off the beaten paths, then you are in the right place.

7. Island of Boa Vista

“Isle aux Dunes” known to house countless turtles, Boa Vista is especially famous for its beaches with a loss of view. The most eastern desert island of the archipelago offers its visitors a unique mix between the plain, the oasis, the beach and the desert.

In Boa Vista, various activities are inevitably to do: the dunes road, the village of Rabil, make snorkeling to admire turtles and fish, the whale observatory, offer a catamaran ride. You can also take a surf lessons , one Stand Up Paddle courses , one windsurfing course , or kitesurf course Boa Vista!

8. Island of Sal

Sal is a must to visit Cape Verde. It is a desert and flat island, between landscapes and salines. Treat yourself to beautiful excursions, often at the departure of Santa Maria, in the interior of the land – safe from wind and dust – or along the coast to admire the beauty of the beaches.

Here is what to do in Sal: the port of Palmeira, see the shackled buildings of authentic alleys, the natural swimming pools and "the blue eye" of Sal – in clear weather -, Pedra Lume and the salts. Finally, if you like surfing, the island of Sal will sublimate your holiday: the wave of Ponta Preta , which can reach up to five meters high, is known to high-level athletes!

9. The salts of Pedra de Lume

It was in the small village dz Pedra de Lume that what was rich of the island elected home. Nestled in a crater, surrounded by a lunar landscape at the end of a tunnel dug into the ground, the salts of Pedra de Lume offer a scenery out of the typical time of the village of Perda de Lume, which also, from its old buildings to its unsuccessful boats, to this something immutable. From the colors to the effluves, the salines preserve a natural beauty that despite the abandonment (the activity is now almost nonexistent), does not lose any charm.

10. Santa Maria

Long fine sand banks, heavenly beaches and fierce riment with the capital of the island. Typical and animated, Santa Maria is renowned for its warm welcome and its relaxed rhythm of life. Moreover, its welcoming side has transformed it into a tourist destination: a village that has become a city, Santa Maria also bears a certain contrast.

The traditional buildings quickly co-located the hotel complex... However, the charm always operates. So what to do in Cape Verde in Santa Maria? Well... Opt for a fierce session on the beach of Santa Maria, go to the discovery of religious heritage in the arteries of the city and taste local flavors in one of its small restaurants.

11. The island of São Vicente

Second largest island in the archipelago, São Vicente is the one who saw the birth of the famous singer Cesária Évora (1941-2011), nicknamed the “Dia with bare feet”, who lived in Mindelo, the cultural capital of the island.

Easy access, taken for its hiking trails, São Vicente has many treasures and a heritage rich in discoveries: its volcanic lands, its small perched villages, its natural park and its superb beaches make the travellers captivate, regardless of their projects.

12. Mindelo

High cultural place of the island, Mindelo is the most vibrant city in Cape Verde: with 71,952 inhabitants, it is also known to be a cradle of art and music. It is said from Mindelo that it opens onto one of the most beautiful bays in the world. To celebrate, this is where you have to go to visit Cape Verde in music: bars, discotheques, restaurants are more numerous than in Praia. If you come in early February, don't miss the Carnival of Mindelo, a must to visit Cape Verde.

13. The surrounding mountains

What to do in Cape Verde in São Vicente in addition to cultural discoveries? Go on a hike! Brute and lush, the nature of the surrounding area is a postcard decor. Go to the discovery Monte Verde , the highest point of the island and enjoy the superb views of the places. Through the fishermen's houses that you will cross on your way, go to meet the symbolic face of São Vicente, the Monte Cara : a volcanic summit that resembles a lying face for which singer Cesaria Evora gave her name to one of her titles.

14. Island of Santo Antão

What to do in Cape Verde other than the beach and photograph lunar decors? A Santo Antão , vegetation is the denser than on all islands of the archipelago, especially north of the island. It is a bit the green lung of Cape Verde: banana plantations, papayas, rum factories and hikes will speed up your excursions on Santo Antão.

15. A boat ride

You will have understood it, to make the tour of Cape Verde, it is indensable to travel its islands... And for that, what better than enjoying real moments of happiness in renting a boat in Cape Verde ? You can thus sail to your ease, but also and especially take the time to admire the beauty of the surrounding nature!

Whether you want to fly, or you prefer to be guided by a skipper, the boat rental in Cape Verde is a must!

How do I get to Cape Verde?

Cape Verde has international airports on several of its islands. To get to Cape Verde, TAP Air Portugal and Cabo Verde Airlines are making connections from France with a stopover in Lisbon. Most aircraft land in Sal, but know that Praia, Boa Vista, Santiago, Sal and Sao Vicente airports are also served by international companies. At the start of France, therefore, there is an average of about ten flights including one to two stops according to the company.

As Cape Verde has a very pleasant climate - not too hot, nor too fresh - throughout the year (except a small wet season from August to October), the destination remains popular. Anticipate your departure and preferably reserve out of school holidays and if you want to leave in summer, choose your tickets a few months in advance because local festivals and festivities are part of the events taken this season. Anticipate your trip by writing comparisons like our partner's website Ulysses .

Once on site, you can opt for car rental as soon as you arrive at the airport or count on the flagship transport of the archipelago, clear them. These vans act as a mini bus and enjoy a derisory fare! Attention, however, there are no predefined schedules or routes and the buses only leave when they are filled. To move from islands to islands, air links are available, however to access Santon Antão and Fogo which does not have an airport, you have to go by ferry.

Where to stay in Cape Verde?

For you accommodation in Cape Verde , you can choose to sleep exclusively on an island or to move from islands to islands to discover all the treasures that this country has to offer you. Cities like Praia, Mindelo or São Filipe will offer you relatively affordable accommodation, from the hotel to the living room, to the campsites. If you opt for the hotel, this Compare hotels you will find your happiness among the accessible offer of the archipelago; and if you are rather looking for authenticity, then go to the site Airbnb that are full of authentic ground feet.

You now know what to do in Cape Verde, a flagship destination for nature lovers. And what were your most beautiful addresses in the archipelago?