Cabo Verde · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Cabo Verde
These are the places we would point a friend to in Cabo Verde, from Cidade Velha and Mindelo's music bars to Sal's salt crater, Santo Antão's trails and Fogo's volcano. Small businesses change hands quietly on the islands, so check opening times locally before you set out.
Places to Visit in Praia
Things to Do
- Cidade Velha (Ribeira Grande de Santiago)
The UNESCO listed first colonial town in the tropics, with Rua Banana, the pelourinho and a hilltop fort. - Praça Alexandre Albuquerque (Plateau)
The leafy main square of the old capital, ringed by the town hall and pastel colonial buildings. - São Jorge dos Órgãos Botanical Garden (São Jorge dos Órgãos)
A botanical garden of endemic island plants in a green interior valley.
Arts and Culture
- Fortaleza Real de São Filipe (Cidade Velha)
A sixteenth century fortress above the old town with sweeping Atlantic views. - Museu Etnográfico da Praia (Plateau)
A small museum giving a clear introduction to island crafts, farming and daily life. - Museu do Campo de Concentração do Tarrafal (Chão Bom, Tarrafal)
The former political prison camp, a sobering and important stop on Santiago's north coast. - Palácio da Cultura Ildo Lobo (Plateau)
A cultural centre named after a beloved singer, with exhibitions and events. - Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário (Cidade Velha)
One of the oldest colonial churches in the tropics, still in use.
Shopping and Markets
- Sucupira Market (Sucupira)
Praia's huge, noisy market for clothes, music, food stalls and everyday island life. - Mercado Municipal de Praia (Plateau)
A calmer covered market for tropical fruit, grogue, spices and snacks. - Assomada Market (Assomada)
A bustling inland market town that fills with traders on market days.
Nature and Outdoors
- Praia do Tarrafal (Tarrafal)
A sheltered bay of soft sand and calm water, Santiago's best beach. - Parque Natural da Serra Malagueta (Serra Malagueta)
Misty mountain trails through endemic plants high in the island's interior. - Praia de Quebra Canela (Quebra Canela)
Praia's popular city beach for an easy swim and sunset drinks. - Prainha Beach (Prainha)
A small sandy cove close to hotels and embassies in the Prainha district. - Rui Vaz and Monte Tchota (Rui Vaz)
High country with eucalyptus forest, mist and views to Pico da Antónia.
Stays
- Hotel Oásis Atlântico Praiamar (Prainha)
A long established seafront hotel near Prainha beach. - King Fisher Village (Tarrafal)
A small guesthouse on the rocks at Tarrafal bay with sea views.
Restaurants
- Quintal da Música (Plateau)
A courtyard restaurant known for traditional food and live Cabo Verdean music.
Events
- Kriol Jazz Festival (Praia)
An international music festival in the capital each spring with African and Creole artists. - Gamboa Music Festival (Praia)
A long running free music festival on Praia's Gamboa beach in May.
Places to Visit in Santa Maria
Things to Do
- Santa Maria Pier (Santa Maria)
Watch fishermen land and clean the morning catch on the old wooden pontão. - Kite Beach (Costa da Fragata)
Sal's famous kitesurfing beach with steady trade winds and schools for all levels. - Ponta Preta (Santa Maria)
A world class wave spot where top windsurfers and kiters compete. - Palmeira fishing port (Palmeira)
A working harbour village for simple grilled fish and slow island life. - Terra Boa mirage (Terra Boa)
A flat plain where heat haze creates a famous desert mirage. - Sal scuba diving (Santa Maria)
Dive centres run trips to wrecks, caves and reef walls off the south coast.
Nature and Outdoors
- Praia de Santa Maria (Santa Maria)
A long arc of white sand and turquoise water at the heart of Sal's south coast. - Salinas de Pedra de Lume (Pedra de Lume)
Float effortlessly in salt pools inside an old volcanic crater. - Buracona and Olho Azul (Buracona)
Natural rock pools and a cave where sunlight turns the water a glowing blue. - Shark Bay (Baía da Parda)
Wade among harmless lemon shark pups in clear shallow water. - Monte Curral (Espargos)
Climb to the viewpoint for a sweep across the whole flat island. - Turtle watching with Project Biodiversity (Sal)
Join guided night walks during nesting season run by a local conservation group.
Restaurants
- Café Criolo (Santa Maria)
A lively beachside café and restaurant with Creole dishes and live music.
Bars and Nightlife
- Ocean Café (Santa Maria)
A sociable spot near the pier with live music in the evenings.
Stays
- Hotel Odjo d'Água (Santa Maria)
A long standing hotel built over the rocks with a pool and sea views, close to town. - Morabeza Hotel (Santa Maria)
A classic, family run beachfront hotel moments from the pier. - Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort (Santa Maria)
A big beachfront resort with pools and easy access to town. - Meliá Dunas Beach Resort (Santa Maria)
A sprawling resort with many pools, good for families.
Arts and Culture
- Pedra de Lume salt works ruins (Pedra de Lume)
The old cableway and buildings recall Sal's salt trading past.
Shopping and Markets
- Espargos town market (Espargos)
Where islanders shop for fruit, fish and essentials, away from the resorts.
Places to Visit in Sal Rei
Nature and Outdoors
- Praia de Santa Mónica (Boa Vista south coast)
Kilometres of pale, nearly empty sand, one of Africa's most beautiful beaches. - Praia de Chaves (Rabil)
A vast dune backed beach with an old brick factory chimney. - Deserto de Viana (Viana)
Rolling golden dunes of Saharan sand, magical at sunrise and sunset. - Praia de Estoril (Sal Rei)
The town beach, good for swimming, kitesurfing and sunset walks. - Turtle nesting walks with Fundação Tartaruga (Boa Vista)
Guided night walks with a conservation group during the loggerhead nesting season. - Whale watching from Sal Rei (Sal Rei)
Spring boat trips to spot humpback whales migrating offshore.
Things to Do
- Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck (North coast)
A rusting cargo ship stranded on the beach since 1968. - Ilhéu de Sal Rei (Sal Rei)
A small islet with fort ruins, reached by local boat. - Povoação Velha (Boa Vista)
A quiet southern village with an old church and slow island rhythm. - Boa Vista 4x4 island tour (Sal Rei)
A day exploring dunes, wrecks, villages and remote beaches with a local guide. - Fundo das Figueiras (Boa Vista)
A small eastern village for a glimpse of rural life and home cooking.
Arts and Culture
- Rabil pottery (Rabil)
A village workshop keeping the island's clay pottery tradition alive. - Igreja de Santa Isabel (Sal Rei)
The town's church on the main square, the heart of local celebrations.
Stays
- Iberostar Club Boa Vista (Praia de Chaves)
A big all inclusive resort on the dune backed Chaves beach. - RIU Touareg (Lacacão)
A large resort near the empty southern beaches. - Migrante Guesthouse (Sal Rei)
A stylish small guesthouse in a restored town house. - Spinguera Ecolodge (Spinguera)
A remote eco lodge in a restored fishing village on the north east coast.
Events
- Festa de Santa Isabel (Sal Rei)
The town's patron saint festival in July with music and processions.
Places to Visit in Mindelo
Things to Do
- Torre de Belém (Avenida Marginal)
A small copy of Lisbon's tower on the waterfront, housing a modest museum.
Shopping and Markets
- Mercado Municipal do Mindelo (Centro)
A pretty colonial market hall for fruit, vegetables, grogue and snacks. - Mindelo Fish Market (Avenida Marginal)
A lively morning scene as the day's catch is sold on the waterfront.
Arts and Culture
- Centro Cultural do Mindelo (Avenida Marginal)
Exhibitions, concerts and crafts in a restored customs building. - Palácio do Povo (Centro)
The pink and white former governor's palace on a central street.
Nature and Outdoors
- Praia da Laginha (Laginha)
The calm city beach a short walk from the centre. - Monte Verde (São Vicente)
The island's highest point, with views over the bay to Santo Antão. - Baía das Gatas (Baía das Gatas)
A reef protected natural pool on the east coast, safe for children. - Calhau (Calhau)
A quiet village of volcanic scenery and fish lunches on the south east coast. - Praia de São Pedro (São Pedro)
A long windswept beach and fishing village near the airport.
Events
- Mindelo Carnival (Mindelo)
The country's biggest Carnival, with floats and costumed groups in February. - Baía das Gatas Festival (Baía das Gatas)
A famous open air music festival by the sea around the August full moon. - Mindelact Theatre Festival (Mindelo)
An international theatre festival held each autumn.
Restaurants
- Restaurante Pica Pau (Centro)
A tiny, beloved restaurant for seafood rice and lobster.
Bars and Nightlife
- Café Lisboa (Rua de Lisboa)
A classic café bar on the main street, buzzing at all hours.
Cafés
- Café Mindelo (Centro)
A café in the heart of town for coffee, pastries and people watching.
Stays
- Hotel Porto Grande (Praça Nova)
A central hotel on the main square, close to everything. - Casa Colonial (Centro)
A guesthouse in a restored colonial house with a small pool.
Places to Visit in Ponta do Sol
Nature and Outdoors
- Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas trail (Ponta do Sol)
A dramatic cliff path to a village perched on a ridge above the sea. - Cova crater to Paul valley hike (Cova)
A steep descent from a farmed crater into the island's greenest valley. - Fontainhas village (Fontainhas)
A photogenic hamlet clinging to a ridge, the classic Santo Antão view. - Cruzinha da Garça (Cruzinha)
A remote coastal village at the end of the north coast trail. - Ribeira da Torre (Ribeira Grande)
A valley walk among terraces, springs and small farms. - Tarrafal de Monte Trigo (Santo Antão west coast)
A remote black sand bay on the far side of the island.
Things to Do
- Estrada da Corda (Santo Antão)
The cobbled mountain road over the crater rim with breathtaking views. - Ponta do Sol harbour (Ponta do Sol)
Watch fishing boats hauled up the slipway as waves crash on the breakwater. - Grogue trapiche in Paul (Vale do Paul)
See sugar cane pressed and distilled into grogue the traditional way. - Ribeira Grande town (Ribeira Grande)
The island's main town and a hub for minibuses and markets.
Stays
- Hotel Blue Bell (Ponta do Sol)
A comfortable small hotel in Ponta do Sol close to the harbour. - Casa das Ilhas (Vale do Paul)
A guesthouse among gardens high in the Paul valley with home cooking. - Aldeia Manga (Vale do Paul)
A green, quiet eco guesthouse in the valley among fruit trees.
Cafés
- Vila das Pombas cafés (Vila das Pombas)
Small cafés in the coastal village at the foot of the Paul valley.
Shopping and Markets
- Doce de papaia from Paul (Vale do Paul)
Buy local papaya jam and goat cheese straight from producers.
Places to Visit in São Filipe
Nature and Outdoors
- Pico do Fogo (Chã das Caldeiras)
Climb the country's highest peak with a guide and run down the scree. - Chã das Caldeiras (Fogo crater)
A village rebuilt in lava fields inside the volcano's vast crater. - Pico Pequeno (Chã das Caldeiras)
A shorter walk to the cone of the most recent eruption. - Praia da Fonte Bila (São Filipe)
A dramatic black sand beach below the cliffs, best admired from the shore. - Ponta da Salina (Fogo west coast)
Lava rock pools for a swim on calm days.
Things to Do
- Adega de Chã das Caldeiras (Chã das Caldeiras)
The crater's wine cooperative, where you can taste wine grown in volcanic ash. - São Filipe old town (São Filipe)
Cobbled streets of colonial merchant houses and flower filled squares. - Mosteiros coffee slopes (Mosteiros)
Green slopes where Fogo's prized coffee is grown. - Day trip to Brava (Furna, Brava)
Ferry to the smallest inhabited island for flowers, cool air and quiet villages.
Arts and Culture
- Casa da Memória (São Filipe)
A house museum on Fogo's history and culture in a restored sobrado. - Museu Municipal de São Filipe (São Filipe)
A small museum on island life, the volcano and the sobrados.
Events
- Festa da Bandeira (São Filipe)
The feast of São Filipe around 1 May with horse races, drums and food.
Stays
- Casa Marisa (Chã das Caldeiras)
A guesthouse in the crater offering simple rooms and home cooking. - Hotel Xaguate (São Filipe)
A hotel on the cliff with a pool and views to Brava.
Cafés
- Fogo coffee at the old town cafés (São Filipe)
Try locally grown coffee in a square side café.
Shopping and Markets
- Mercado Municipal de São Filipe (São Filipe)
A small market for local produce, cheese and coffee.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Hotel Santa Maria (Plateau, Praia)
A central hotel steps from the Plateau's cafés and squares. - Kebra Cabana (Quebra Canela, Praia)
A beach bar and restaurant on Quebra Canela for drinks by the sea. - Cape Fish (Santa Maria, Santa Maria)
A seafront spot for grilled fish and seafood close to the pier. - Compadre Restaurant (Santa Maria, Santa Maria)
A local favourite for cachupa and fresh fish without the resort mark up. - Calema Bar (Santa Maria, Santa Maria)
A well known Santa Maria bar with live music and a friendly crowd. - Blu Bar (Sal Rei, Sal Rei)
A seafront bar and restaurant for fresh fish and sunset views. - Pirata Restaurant (Sal Rei, Sal Rei)
A friendly local spot for grilled fish and island dishes. - Wakan Bar (Praia de Estoril, Sal Rei)
A beach bar on the sand for drinks and light meals by the water. - Casa de Cesária Évora (Lombo, Mindelo)
The home where the barefoot diva lived, a place of pilgrimage for music lovers. - Casa Café Mindelo (Centro, Mindelo)
A restaurant and café in a historic building with music nights. - Bar Clube Nautico (Avenida Marginal, Mindelo)
A waterfront bar and restaurant known for live music. - Jazzy Bird (Centro, Mindelo)
An intimate jazz bar with live sessions in the evenings. - Alfândega Velha crafts (Avenida Marginal, Mindelo)
Crafts and music recordings sold around the old customs house. - Kira's Boutique Hotel (Centro, Mindelo)
A small hotel with character in the city centre. - Pedracin Village (Boca de Coruja, Ponta do Sol)
Stone cottages in a dramatic valley setting near Ribeira Grande. - Casa Maracujá (Ponta do Sol, Ponta do Sol)
A friendly spot for home style Cabo Verdean dinners. - Bar Mar Azul (Ponta do Sol, Ponta do Sol)
A small harbourside bar for a drink after the trail. - Pousada Belavista (São Filipe, São Filipe)
A guesthouse in a colonial house in the old town. - Restaurante Tropical Club (São Filipe, São Filipe)
A local favourite for fish and traditional plates. - Esplanada Atlântico (São Filipe, São Filipe)
A clifftop terrace for a drink at sunset.