A Perfect Tour In Cape Verde

Day 1

Santa Maria

Head for Santa Maria and spend half a day at the sandy Praia de Santa Maria beach, sunbathing and swimming in the turquoise water. In the afternoon take a stroll in the village, watch the fishermen unload their catch at the Pontão jetty, then enjoy a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 2

Ponta Preta and Pedra de Lume

If you‘re into surfing, head for Ponta Preta, Cape Verde’s most famous windsurfing location, slightly northwest of Santa Maria. Alternatively, hire a car and drive to the east coast to the Salinas at Pedra de Lume’s, a rudimentary saltwater spa in an extinct volcanic crater. Float effortlessly on the salty water and treat yourself to a relaxing massage.

Day 3

Boa Vista

Fly to Boa Vista, then hire a 4x4 and go off-roading amidst picturesque shifting dunes and extinct volcanoes. Visit the small, cosy town of Sal Rei and watch Cape Verdeans playing oril, the local version of the game of holes and seeds.

Day 4

Mindelo

Fly to São Vicente. On arrival in São Pedro’s aerodrome, check out the monument to the São Vicente-born “Barefoot Diva,” Cesária Évora. Stroll the cobblestone streets of Mindelo and admire the colourful merchants’ houses, and be sure to grab a snack at the hippest place in town, Café Mindelo.

Day 5

Santo Antão

Hop on a ferry from Mindelo to Santo Antão. The only truly green island in Cape Verde, it boasts spectacular valleys and hills. Enjoy a day’s hiking or go on a mountain bike tour with an experienced guide. In the evening, take the ferry back to São Vicente.

Day 6

Praia

Fly to the capital Praia, on Santiago, for a day of history and culture. Visit the Museu Etnográfico to see some magnificent examples of pano weaving and the Museu de Arqueologia for an exhibition of shipwreck salvage. After sunset head to the legendary music venue, Quintal de Música, to hear local music at its best.

Day 7

Cidade Velha

Take a bus to Cidade Velha (Old Town), a Unesco World Heritage site west of Praia. Check out the ruins of the cathedral, the pillory where enslaved captives were once chained up and walk up the hill to Fortaleza Real de São Filipe for stunning views.

Day 8

Fogo

Fly to Fogo, take in São Filipe’s lovely colonial houses and sobrados, then head by car for Chã das Caldeiras in Parque Natural do Fogo, to taste local wine and dine on fresh fish. From Fogo fly back to Sal.