São Tomé and Príncipe · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in São Tomé and Príncipe
These are the places we would point a friend to in São Tomé and Príncipe, from the capital's fort and chocolate makers to the north coast's baobab bay, the highland roças of Obô and the beaches of Príncipe. Many spots are small and change hands quietly, so check opening times locally before you set out.
Places to Visit in São Tomé City
Arts and Culture
- Museu Nacional, Forte de São Sebastião (Seafront)
A sixteenth century Portuguese fort holding the national museum, with colonial history and views over Ana Chaves Bay. - Catedral de Nossa Senhora da Graça (City centre)
The pale cathedral at the heart of the capital, one of the oldest church sites in sub-Saharan Africa. - CACAU, Casa das Artes Criação Ambiente Utopias (Seafront)
A converted warehouse arts centre with exhibitions, concerts, a café and the Bienal de Arte e Cultura. - Palácio Presidencial (City centre)
The pink presidential palace, best admired from the street without a camera pointed at the guards. - Roça Água Izé (East coast)
A huge, crumbling plantation where cocoa was first cultivated on the island, with a hospital and workers' quarters. - Roça Sao João dos Angolares (São João dos Angolares)
A restored plantation house where chef João Carlos Silva serves long tasting lunches of island ingredients.
Shopping and Markets
- Mercado Municipal de São Tomé (City centre)
The busy central market, piled with breadfruit, plantains, fish, spices and gossip. - Mercado do Bobô Forro (Bobô Forro)
A sprawling local market on the edge of town where islanders shop for everything from cloth to tools. - Claudio Corallo Chocolate (Marginal 12 de Julho)
A tasting tour with one of the world's most celebrated bean to bar chocolate makers.
Things to Do
- Marginal 12 de Julho seafront (Seafront)
The long bayside promenade for an evening stroll as fishermen pull their canoes ashore.
Stays
- Pestana São Tomé (Seafront)
The capital's big ocean front hotel, with a pool and easy walking to the seafront. - Omali Lodge (Near the airport)
A boutique lodge with a pool and garden facing the ocean, popular for a first or last night. - Hotel Miramar by Pestana (Seafront)
A long running seafront hotel with gardens and a relaxed pool. - Hotel Central (City centre)
A simple, central hotel within walking distance of the market and cathedral. - Hotel Praia (Near the airport)
A comfortable mid-range option close to the airport and the city beaches.
Restaurants
- Restaurante Papa-Figo (City centre)
A garden restaurant famed for grilled fish and island classics in a laid-back setting. - Food stalls at the Mercado Municipal (City centre)
Cheap plates of grilled fish, banana and calulu where market traders eat.
Cafés
- CACAU café (Seafront)
Coffee, juices and light meals inside the arts centre, with art on every wall.
Bars and Nightlife
- Bar at Pestana São Tomé (Seafront)
An easy sundowner by the pool with views across the bay. - Pantufo fishing village bars (Pantufo)
Simple beach bars in a fishing village where the evening catch comes in.
Nature and Outdoors
- Praia Pantufo (Pantufo)
A working fishing beach close to town, colourful with canoes and drying nets. - Praia Lagarto (Near the airport)
The nearest swimming beach to the capital, busy with families at weekends. - Boca do Inferno (Água Izé)
A blowhole where Atlantic waves explode through a lava channel. - Praia das Sete Ondas (East coast)
A long sweep of sand near Água Izé, good for a quiet walk. - Praia Micondó (East coast)
A calm palm-fringed cove on the drive south, rarely busy.
Events
- Independence Day celebrations, 12 July (City centre)
Parades, music and street parties marking independence in 1975.
Places to Visit in Neves
Nature and Outdoors
- Lagoa Azul (North coast)
A turquoise bay ringed by baobab trees, the island's most famous snorkelling spot. - Praia dos Tamarindos (Morro Peixe)
A wide golden beach shaded by tamarind trees, lovely at sunset. - Praia Diogo Nunes (Guadalupe)
A sheltered cove where locals swim and picnic at weekends. - Santa Catarina tunnel (Santa Catarina)
A short road tunnel through a sea cliff at the end of the paved north west coast. - Praia Lagoa Azul baobabs (Lagoa Azul)
Ancient baobabs standing over the bay, strange and wonderful in the dry season.
Things to Do
- Tatô turtle project at Morro Peixe (Morro Peixe)
A community conservation project offering night walks to see nesting turtles in season.
Arts and Culture
- Rosema brewery (Neves)
The home of Rosema, the island's beloved local beer, in a fishing town. - Roça Agostinho Neto (Guadalupe)
One of the largest roças, with a grand avenue up to the old hospital.
Stays
- Mucumbli (Ponta Figo)
A cliff top lodge of wooden bungalows with ocean views and a fine restaurant.
Restaurants
- Restaurante at Mucumbli (Ponta Figo)
Fresh fish and Italian touches on a terrace above the sea. - Neves seafront grills (Neves)
Fresh catch grilled on charcoal in the town's lively fishing harbour.
Shopping and Markets
- Guadalupe market (Guadalupe)
A small town market for fruit, palm wine and everyday island life.
Bars and Nightlife
- Palm wine stalls in Guadalupe (Guadalupe)
Try fresh vinho de palma, the islands' favourite drink, by the roadside.
Places to Visit in Trindade
Nature and Outdoors
- Jardim Botânico do Bom Sucesso (Bom Sucesso)
The botanical garden at the gateway to Obô Natural Park, with orchids, begonias and endemic birds. - Lagoa Amélia (Obô Natural Park)
A misty crater lake filled with grass and ferns, a classic half day hike from Bom Sucesso. - Pico de São Tomé (Obô Natural Park)
The islands' highest peak, a tough guided climb through cloud forest. - Cascata São Nicolau (Highland road)
A tall waterfall right beside the road to Bom Sucesso, an easy stop. - Lagoa Amélia trail birdwatching (Obô Natural Park)
Endemic birds like the São Tomé oriole and giant sunbird along the trail. - Bom Sucesso to Lagoa Amélia trail (Bom Sucesso)
A well-trodden forest path with guides available at the botanical garden.
Arts and Culture
- Roça Monte Café (Monte Café)
A coffee plantation with a museum explaining the island's coffee story, and tastings. - Roça Uba Budo (Uba Budo)
A plantation village where life still follows the rhythm of the old estate.
Shopping and Markets
- Trindade market (Trindade)
A busy local market in the island's second town, full of highland produce.
Events
- Tchiloli performances (Mé-Zóchi district)
A centuries old masked street drama, a UNESCO-recognised island tradition performed at festivals.
Restaurants
- Roadside calulu and fish stalls in Trindade (Trindade)
Simple local lunches of calulu, banana and grilled fish.
Things to Do
- Coffee tasting at Monte Café (Monte Café)
Taste arabica and robusta grown on the slopes around you.
Places to Visit in Porto Alegre
Nature and Outdoors
- Pico Cão Grande (Obô Natural Park, south)
The towering volcanic plug rising out of the forest, the country's most famous view. - Ilhéu das Rolas Equator marker (Ilhéu das Rolas)
A monument and mosaic map sitting right on the Equator line. - Praia Jalé (South coast)
A wild turtle nesting beach with an eco lodge run with the conservation programme. - Praia Piscina (Near Porto Alegre)
A natural rock pool on the coast, perfect for a calm swim. - Praia Inhame (Porto Alegre)
A palm-fringed southern beach with a small eco lodge. - Praia Grande (South coast)
A long empty beach near Porto Alegre where turtles nest. - Ponta Baleia (Ilhéu das Rolas side)
The jetty point near Porto Alegre where boats depart for Rolas.
Stays
- Pestana Equador (Ilhéu das Rolas)
An island resort on the Equator, reached by a short boat ride from Porto Alegre. - Jalé Ecolodge (Praia Jalé)
Simple beach huts where turtles nest right below in season. - Inhame Eco Lodge (Praia Inhame)
Bungalows by the beach at the island's far south. - Roça São João dos Angolares rooms (São João dos Angolares)
Simple rooms at the famous chef's roça, with a long lunch on the veranda.
Things to Do
- Boat to Ilhéu das Rolas (Porto Alegre)
A short crossing to walk the islet and stand on the Equator.
Arts and Culture
- Roça Porto Alegre (Porto Alegre)
An old estate village at the end of the road south. - Angolar fishing villages (South east coast)
Communities descended from shipwrecked Angolans, with their own creole and canoe culture.
Places to Visit in Santo António
Nature and Outdoors
- Praia Banana (North coast of Príncipe)
A perfect curve of sand and palms, the country's most photographed beach. - Pico Papagaio (Central Príncipe)
A guided hike up the island's parrot peak through primary forest. - Praia Boi (North coast)
A wild beach reached by boat or trail, with turtles in season. - Praia Macaco (North coast)
A remote cove used by nesting turtles and almost no one else. - Whale watching off Príncipe (Coastal waters)
Humpback whales pass the islands from roughly July to October. - Praia Bom Bom (Bom Bom)
A sheltered beach for snorkelling and kayaking. - Ilhéu Tinhosas (Off Príncipe)
Rocky islets hosting the region's largest seabird colonies, seen by boat. - Obô Natural Park of Príncipe (Southern Príncipe)
Protected rainforest covering the wild south of the island.
Stays
- Sundy Praia (Western Príncipe)
Tented villas in the forest above a private beach. - Roça Sundy (Sundy)
A restored plantation hotel where the 1919 eclipse helped confirm Einstein's theory of relativity. - Bom Bom Island (North coast)
A resort linked by a wooden walkway to a tiny islet.
Arts and Culture
- 1919 eclipse memorial at Roça Sundy (Sundy)
A small exhibit marking Eddington's famous solar eclipse observation. - Roça Belo Monte (Belo Monte)
A beautifully restored plantation house and hotel above Praia Banana. - Igreja de Santo António (Santo António)
The bright church of the tiny capital, the centre of Príncipe life. - Roça Porto Real (Porto Real)
A huge abandoned plantation slowly being swallowed by the forest.
Things to Do
- Santo António riverside walk (Santo António)
A wander through one of the smallest capitals in the world, along the Papagaio river. - Fundação Príncipe turtle programme (Príncipe beaches)
Learn about turtle conservation with the island's foundation. - Boat trip around Príncipe's south (Southern coast)
See the island's spires of volcanic rock rising from the sea.
Events
- Auto de Floripes, Festa de São Lourenço (Santo António)
A street theatre of Moors and Christians performed across town every August.
Restaurants
- Santo António market (Santo António)
A small market with fish, fruit and island snacks. - Restaurant at Roça Sundy (Sundy)
Farm to table cooking using produce from the island's own gardens.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Teia d'Arte (Rua de Moçambique, São Tomé City)
A small gallery and shop showing contemporary Santomean painters and craftspeople. - Restaurante Xico's Café (City centre, São Tomé City)
A popular spot for Portuguese and Santomean dishes and a friendly evening crowd. - Restaurante Filomar (Pantufo road, São Tomé City)
Seafood by the sea a short ride from the centre, best at sunset. - Restaurante Celvas (City centre, São Tomé City)
A long time local favourite for generous Portuguese style meals. - Pastelaria Moçambique (City centre, São Tomé City)
A traditional bakery for strong coffee, pastéis and fresh bread in the morning. - Bienal de Arte e Cultura de São Tomé e Príncipe (CACAU, São Tomé City)
The country's art biennial, bringing African and Lusophone artists to the capital. - Ilhéu de Santana boat trip (Santana, São Tomé City)
A small islet with a natural arch, reached by boat from the east coast. - Artisan stalls at the Marginal (Seafront, São Tomé City)
Carved wood, woven bags and coconut crafts sold along the bayside. - Ilhéu das Cabras (Off the north east coast, São Tomé City)
A rocky islet with a lighthouse, a goal for snorkelling and boat trips. - Roça Monte Forte (Monte Forte, Neves)
A historic plantation building turned guesthouse with big views of the north west coast. - Roça Diogo Vaz (North west coast, Neves)
A working cocoa estate where chocolate is made from tree to bar. - Cascata do Rio Lembá (Lembá district, Neves)
A river waterfall inland from the west coast, rarely visited by outsiders. - Praia Ponta Figo (Ponta Figo, Neves)
A quiet beach below green hills on the road to Santa Catarina. - Boat trip to Lagoa Azul (North coast, Neves)
Snorkel, swim and see the north coast from the water. - Festa de Neves (Neves, Neves)
The town's saint's day festivities with music, processions and dancing. - Praia Governador (Neves area, Neves)
A dark sand beach near Neves where few visitors stop. - Roça São Nicolau (São Nicolau, Trindade)
A quiet highland estate on the way to Bom Sucesso. - Roça Saudade (Saudade, Trindade)
A highland roça where the poet Almada Negreiros was born, with simple rooms and cool air. - Monte Pico Ecolodge (Monte Pico, Trindade)
A small lodge in the forest close to the trails of Obô. - Cascata Blublu (Highlands, Trindade)
A secluded waterfall reached by a short forest walk with a local guide. - Roça Bombaim (Bombaim, Trindade)
A remote plantation in the forest, a base for hikes deep into Obô. - Café at Roça Monte Café (Monte Café, Trindade)
A simple café on the plantation, perfect after the museum. - Cascata de Bombaim (Bombaim, Trindade)
A plunging waterfall near the old roça, best in the drier months. - Praia Melão (South coast, Porto Alegre)
A quiet golden beach a short walk from the road. - Boca do Inferno de Rolas (Ilhéu das Rolas, Porto Alegre)
A dramatic sea spout on the islet's rocky coast. - Porto Alegre village food (Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre)
Fresh fish and banana cooked by families in the village. - Rio Io Grande (South east, Porto Alegre)
The island's largest river, explored by canoe with local guides. - Mangrove canoe trip at Malanza (Malanza, Porto Alegre)
A quiet paddle through mangroves near the southern tip. - Praia Café (South coast, Porto Alegre)
A small beach used by local children and fishermen. - Roça Paciência (Paciência, Santo António)
An agricultural estate growing produce for the island's lodges, open for visits. - Local bars on the main street (Santo António, Santo António)
Cold Rosema and music where islanders meet at dusk. - Cascata Sundy (Sundy area, Santo António)
A forest waterfall reached on a guided walk. - Café in Santo António square (Santo António, Santo António)
Coffee and pastries while the island's tiny capital goes by. - Residencial Palhota (Santo António, Santo António)
A simple guesthouse in town, a budget base for exploring. - Praia Seca (Northern Príncipe, Santo António)
A long beach near the airport, easy to reach. - Café Companhia (City centre, São Tomé City)
A relaxed café for cake, coffee and wifi between sights. - Ilhéu das Sete Pedras (East coast, São Tomé City)
Seven rocky stacks offshore, best viewed from the coastal road. - Casa da Cultura (City centre, São Tomé City)
A cultural space for local music, dance and theatre. - Praia Mutamba (North coast, Neves)
A family-friendly beach near Lagoa Azul.