Cape Verde
Temperature
17°
Time
3:52 AM
Cape Verde
Cape Verde's unique geographic location, tumultuous history of slavery and invasion, and fascinating mix of transatlantic cultures have given rise to a place unlike any other on the globe. A place as joyful as it is full of longing, a fact perhaps best reflected in Cape Verdean music and the hauntingly beautiful "morna". The sometimes harsh, drought-prone conditions of this mid-Atlantic scattering of islands have seen the flourishing of a fascinating Creole culture and the most stable democracy in Africa.Find your trip
Cape Verde's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cidade Velha ('Old Town') was the first European settlement in the tropics, and once an important point in the Portuguese Empire. Parts of the original city still remain, including two churches, the town square and the imposing Forte Real de São Filipe (São Filipe Royal Fortress), looming over the area from the hilltop. It is the perfect place to begin exploring Cape Verde's fascinating past.
Praia is Cape Verde's capital, largest city and centre of economic, political and religious life. The city boasts a distinct mix of African and Mediterranean vibes throughout the downtown area (known as Platô for its location on a small plateau), with its charming old quarter and rapidly expanding urban infrastructure.
Cape Verde's second city is also the undisputed centre of culture, entertainment and nightlife, including Brazilian-influenced Carnival celebrations. Mindelo's Porto Grande harbour is a visual feast with its colourful colonial houses gracing the shoreline against the dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains. Alongside the harbour, you’ll also find the Torre de Belém, a scaled-down replica of the historic tower in Lisbon. This vibrant setting not only captivates the eyes but also offers a lively atmosphere, as Mindelo boasts excellent establishments for dining, drinking, and enjoying live music.
The small fishing town of Santa Maria, on the island of Sal, boasts miles of picture-perfect beaches with golden sands and sparkling blue water. Relax at one of the numerous beachside bars, watch the fishermen reel in their daily catch, or jump off the pier into the refreshing water on a hot afternoon.
Pico do Fogo, Cape Verde's youngest and most active volcano, towers beautifully but menacingly over the island of Fogo. The mesmerising black volcanic soil is reminiscent of similar fiery peaks in Hawaii and Iceland and is used to grow coffee. A small community, Chã das Caldeiras, is precariously located in the caldera very near the peak, and adventurers can hike up the imposing 2,829 metres for unparalleled views of the island.
A short drive north of the village of Palmeira on the island of Sal, a hidden gem awaits — a small inlet along the rocky coast unveils a natural wonder. At the opportune time, preferably in the morning, sunlight filters through a hole in the rocks, transforming the scene into a mesmerising display resembling a bright blue eye. The juxtaposition of the vibrant blue water and the frothy white waves crashing against jagged rocks creates a stunning spectacle. Just above this sight, there is a small swimming hole with calmer waters from which to enjoy it.
The northwestern part of the island of Boa Vista is covered by a large expanse of untouched and unspoiled desert, the Deserto de Viana. Explore the picturesque sand dunes on an all-terrain 4-wheel motorcycle, operated by local companies, and be sure to try some sandboarding.
The stunning Forte Real de São Filipe, the first and most important fortification anywhere in Cape Verde, overlooks Cidade Velha from its privileged position on a 120-metre-tall hill. Destroyed by the French in the 18th century, then rebuilt, and recently restored, it is today one of the country's most recognisable and visited sights.
Cape Verde's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cidade Velha ('Old Town') was the first European settlement in the tropics, and once an important point in the Portuguese Empire. Parts of the original city still remain, including two churches, the town square and the imposing Forte Real de São Filipe (São Filipe Royal Fortress), looming over the area from the hilltop. It is the perfect place to begin exploring Cape Verde's fascinating past.
Praia is Cape Verde's capital, largest city and centre of economic, political and religious life. The city boasts a distinct mix of African and Mediterranean vibes throughout the downtown area (known as Platô for its location on a small plateau), with its charming old quarter and rapidly expanding urban infrastructure.
Djunta Mo Art is one of the premier handicraft shops in Cape Verde, offering tasteful and elegant handbags, scarves, trinkets, jewellery and home decor with vibrant colours and impeccable designs. All their products are fair trade and sustainable, directly benefiting local artisans.
You might think that from the outside it looks more like a museum than a market, but it is, in fact, the municipal market of the city of Mindelo, a vibrant, colourful and meticulously kept space filled wall to wall with the freshest island produce and the smiling faces selling them.
Capvertdesign+Artesanato is no ordinary souvenir shop. Within its walls, you can find Cape Verdean photography and coffee table books, typical home design items and decorations, art, glasswork, and traditional musical instruments. Every product sold here has a refined and elegant taste about it, making it perhaps the best place in the country for gifts and mementoes.
At the foot of the central area of Platô in Praia stands a large market (perhaps more of an agglomeration of stalls) selling everything from clothes, shoes and accessories to furniture and home decor items, and even live farm animals. It is a colourful and lively place and always makes for an interesting visit.
At the edge of São Filipe's modern neighbourhood, Bila Baxo, right next to the main square of Praça Francisco de Assis, lies the city market, a lively place where visitors can purchase locally-produced products, such as cheese, coffee, wine and Cape Verde's typical exotic jams, as well as freshly-caught fish.
Praia Shopping is a modern and sleek shopping centre in the south of Praia full of all the amenities one would expect from a shopping mall, including high-end fashion shops, department stores, cafés and restaurants, including international options.
Supermercados Calu e Angela, which has several locations throughout the city of Praia, is a large and modern supermarket that carries a host of imported international products, as well as local items and specialities, like wine, cheese and other kinds of produce.
L'Alambic is a little boutique selling gifts, arts, and typical Cape Verdean products, including grogue (cane juice rum), punch and different flavoured liquors, such as banana, chocolate and tamarind, as well as coffee and other natural products.
Djunta Mo Art is one of the premier handicraft shops in Cape Verde, offering tasteful and elegant handbags, scarves, trinkets, jewellery and home decor with vibrant colours and impeccable designs. All their products are fair trade and sustainable, directly benefiting local artisans.
You might think that from the outside it looks more like a museum than a market, but it is, in fact, the municipal market of the city of Mindelo, a vibrant, colourful and meticulously kept space filled wall to wall with the freshest island produce and the smiling faces selling them.
Cape Verde has four international airports: - Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) on Sal, Cape Verde’s main airport; - Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI) on Santiago; - Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC) on Boa Vista; - Cesária Évora International Airport (VXE) on São Vicente. Many hotels can arrange a pickup service from the airport, and taxis are readily available at all terminals. A cheaper option is to take an 'aluguer', a kind of shared taxi, though this can be less convenient as they follow fixed routes.
Besides taxis and renting a car, the only way to get around the islands is to take an 'aluguer', or collective taxis, which can be anything from spacious vans to pick-up trucks. They connect even the smallest towns on most islands, picking up and dropping off passengers on request at any point along their route.
Taxis are really common on all islands. It is a convenient and affordable mode of transportation in Cape Verde. In Santa Maria, taxis are blue and yellow. However, each city has its own unique colour scheme. While the prices are typically negotiable, it's advisable to confirm the fare with the driver beforehand to ensure a transparent and agreeable arrangement.
It is possible to travel between most islands by ferry, but schedules tend to be unreliable and can often be delayed or cancelled due to stormy weather (particularly during the winter months). The most reliable connections are between Santiago, Brava and Fogo, as well as between São Vicente and Santo Antão.
Correios de Cabo Verde operates postal service in Cape Verde. The headquarters are located in the city centre of Praia. More than 90% of Cape Verdean roads do not have names, so most people use community post boxes. Open Location Code system invented by Google is used by the local postal system, and residents can connect their home's location to their personal information.
Pharmacy (Sal) Rua Almicar Cabral, Santa Maria +238 242 18 82 Open Mon–Sat 8am–8pm, Sun 8am–1pm Pharmacy Santa Isabel (Santiago) Rua Largo da Europa, Praia +238 262 37 47 Open Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat & Sun closed
Country code: +238
220-240 Volts / 50 Hz. Power sockets type C and F.
Cape Verde has four international airports: - Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) on Sal, Cape Verde’s main airport; - Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI) on Santiago; - Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC) on Boa Vista; - Cesária Évora International Airport (VXE) on São Vicente. Many hotels can arrange a pickup service from the airport, and taxis are readily available at all terminals. A cheaper option is to take an 'aluguer', a kind of shared taxi, though this can be less convenient as they follow fixed routes.
Besides taxis and renting a car, the only way to get around the islands is to take an 'aluguer', or collective taxis, which can be anything from spacious vans to pick-up trucks. They connect even the smallest towns on most islands, picking up and dropping off passengers on request at any point along their route.
