Cape Verde
The African Caribbean
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Highlights
Geography's unique charm
Cape Verde, an archipelago off the coast of West Africa, is one of the few places on Earth where you can stand in one spot and hear waves crashing on both the west and east coasts simultaneously. This fascinating phenomenon is due to the islands' narrow width and the prevailing trade winds, creating a surreal auditory experience that highlights the geography's unique charm.
Blend of Cultures
Cape Verde boasts a captivating blend of cultures, reflected in its music, cuisine, and festivals. With influences from Africa, Europe, and South America, visitors can immerse themselves in a harmonious fusion of styles, from the rhythmic beats of batuque music to the flavors of cachupa, the national dish. This multicultural tapestry offers travelers a vibrant and enriching experience unlike any other destination.
- Relax on the stunning beaches of Sal, known for their golden sands and crystal-clear waters, perfect for sunbathing and swimming.
- Explore the rugged landscapes of Santo Antão, offering hiking opportunities through dramatic valleys, lush forests, and picturesque villages.
- Dive into the rich marine life around Cape Verde's shores, with diving and snorkeling sites teeming with colorful fish, turtles, and even the occasional whale shark.
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Mindelo, enjoying live music performances, traditional dances, and delicious Creole cuisine in this lively city.
- Embark on a boat tour to explore the uninhabited islets of the Cape Verde archipelago, such as the protected nature reserve of Ilhéu de Sal Rei.
- Discover the historic charm of Cidade Velha, the oldest settlement in Cape Verde, where you can explore colonial architecture and visit landmarks like Forte Real de São Filipe.
- Go windsurfing or kitesurfing in the windy paradise of Boa Vista, renowned for its consistent trade winds and excellent conditions for water sports.
- Trek to the summit of Pico do Fogo on Fogo Island, an active volcano offering breathtaking panoramic views of the lunar-like landscape.
- Experience the natural beauty of São Nicolau by hiking through its diverse terrain, including lush valleys, rugged mountains, and picturesque coastlines.
- Engage in turtle conservation efforts on Maio Island, where you can participate in guided tours to witness nesting turtles and support local conservation initiatives.
Country Information
- Praia
- GMT -1
- Cape Verdean Escudo
- Christianity
- 500,000
- Portugese
- Praia, Rabil, Espargos
- A pleasantly tropical destination, the Cape Verde islands benefit from average annual temperatures of between 24°C and 30°C. Holidays to Cape Verde offer long, uninterrupted sunshine hours and low humidity, meaning many people return time and time again. And, with higher winds between November and March, larger waves can be found on some of the islands, which proves particularly popular with water sport enthusiasts.
Cape Verde Journeys
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Top Places to Visit
Sal Island
The "no stress" island is one of the smaller, but the archipelago's most popular island for holidaymakers. A paradise for beach lovers, Sal is home to some of the best kite surf spots in the world. But there is also a lot of history to be discovered, such as some remaining sites of the island's once booming salt trade. A must see is the Pedra de Lume salt mines, which gave origin to the name of the island (SAL means salt). In these salt lakes one can bath in a lake with a high concentration of salt, that will make you float.
Santiago Island
The most African, biggest, and first colonised island of the archipelago. Santiago is the cradle of Cape Verde, home of the countries capital, the city of Praia, and probably the most diverse island in terms of landscape. One can find here the Natural Park of Serra Malagueta with the highest point of the island, the Antónia peak with its 1.394m of altitude. Cidade Velha - the first town and former capital - was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the islands highlights.
Boavista Island
Home to one of the 7 wonders of Cape Verde, the Viana desert. Boavista is the closest island to the African continent, the reason why it has beaches with finer and whiter sand and many dunes (brought by the wind from the Sahara desert). An island with endless paradisical beaches, Boavista is also a popular spot for Caretta Caretta (sea turtles) to spawn. The island is rich in history and famous for its pottery. It is said that the most important musical style in Cape Verde was born on this island - the so called "morna".
Fogo Island
The volcano's island that is home to an active volcano which last erupted in 2014/2015. Fogo is a paradise for nature lovers and hikers and houses the highest peak of the Cape Verde archipelago (2,829 meters). Unique is the islands combination of volcanic landscape, green agricultural fields, forests, and slopes by the sea. It has one of the most historic cities and colonial architecture in Cape Verde - the city of São Filipe, full of old manor houses. Fogo is known for a strong agricultural culture, mainly wine and coffee, as well as a rich and variety gastronomy with dishes that one can only find on this island.
Maio Island
The easternmost of the Sotavento islands of Cape Verde. Where time seems to stand still, one can find some quite and traditional towns with colourful buildings and the charm of Portuguese lifestyle. The island is renowned for its stunning sandy beaches, a lush forest, and an omnipresent peaceful tranquillity. Maio is not that easy to reach and mainly combined with Santiago island.
Santo Antão Island
A unique destination for all lovers of nature and outdoor activities. It is the second largest, most westerly, most remote to the African continent and - although it hasn't rained since 2016 - the greenest island. It is not just home to the second most beautiful rural village in the world (Fontaínhas) but also the place where the country's most remarkable cultural and religious event takes place - the Saint John celebrations in June. Santo Antão offers a diversity of activities, such as excursions and discoveries, hiking, mountain biking, canyoning, or paragliding.
