São Tomé island
Almost every trip begins in São Tomé city, the relaxed, faded colonial capital on the island's north east coast. It has a sixteenth century fort and museum, a pastel cathedral, a lively market and some of the best chocolate in the world. From here, the paved road west follows the north coast past the baobab bay of Lagoa Azul, the fishing town of Neves and the turtle beaches of Morro Peixe to the tunnel at Santa Catarina.
Inland, the central highlands rise into mist around Trindade, Monte Café and Bom Sucesso, the gateway to Obô Natural Park, Lagoa Amélia and the Pico de São Tomé. The road south runs down the east coast through Angolar fishing villages to the south coast, where Pico Cão Grande rises from the forest, turtles nest on Praia Jalé and a short boat ride takes you to the Equator on Ilhéu das Rolas.
Príncipe
A short flight north, Príncipe is the smaller, wilder island, a UNESCO biosphere reserve with a capital, Santo António, of only a few thousand people. Come for Praia Banana, forest hikes, restored plantation hotels and the story of the 1919 eclipse at Roça Sundy.
How to combine them
With a week, give São Tomé city two nights, then split the rest between a north coast or highland base and the south. With ten days or more, add three or four nights on Príncipe. Flights between the islands are limited, so book them early, and leave a spare day before your international flight home. Our free trip planner can help you shape the route.