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Guide to Cape Verde Islands

Can you imagine a place with the beauty and expansive beaches of the Caribbean or Hawaiian Islands, but just a few hours' flight from Europe? Well, you're imagining the Cape Verde islands. Located off of the western coast of Africa, Cape Verde is a small island chain that, for centuries, remained mostly uninhabited. And while the islands are almost fully inhabited today, they still maintain much of their original character and natural beauty. With endless stretches of beaches and whole swaths of untouched terrain, Cape Verde is an up-and-coming vacation destination... but one that still feels like a well-kept secret.

The islands are also becoming more and more popular with holiday makers and with investors looking for property in Cape Verde. With the weather averaging 23° to 28° C all year round, its easy to see why its becoming a property hotspot.

What you'll find on Cape Verde varies hugely from island to island. The island chain is divided into two halves: Barlevento, which consists of the six northern islands, and Sotavento, where the four southern islands are found.

Barlavento Islands:

• Boa Vista
• Sal
• Santa Luzia (uninhabited)
• Santo Antão
• São Vicente
• São Nicolau

Sotavento Islands:

• Maio
• Brava
• Fogo
• Santiago

The Three Main Islands of Cape Verde

All but one of the ten islands listed above are inhabited by the locals, a people of mixed European (Portuguese) and African descent. And while you can take ferries to all of the islands for day trips or to stay for a short period, three of the islands in particular are more heavily inhabited than any of the others, and are the main draw for tourists.

Sal Island

While most of Cape Verde is mountainous, Sal is the flattest of the islands... and the most touristy. It must be said that, if you fly into the airport on Sal island, your flight over the island won't fill you with excitement about the landscape-- it looks pretty barren from up above. But being down on the island itself is a whole different story. With 350 days of sun a year, endless expanses of white beaches, and sparkling turquoise seas, "barren" or "ugly" are the last words you'd use to describe it.

The town of Santa Maria on Sal Island is home to what is considered one of the best beaches in the world. Eight kilometers long, this beach is golden, gorgeous, and perfect for water sports like surfing, sailing, windsurfing, and snorkeling. And while some areas of the island, such as Santa Maria, are a little touristy, you can get a feel for the real culture of Sal by visiting the lobster farms of the port of Palmeira or the charming town of Espargos.

Santiago Island and the City of Praia

Santiago Island is the largest of all of the Cape Verde islands, and is probably its most important center, as well. Santiago was the first island to be populated, and is home to Cape Verde's capital city, Praia. Santiago is wetter and more mountainous than Sal, with rich green valleys, rocky volcanic areas, and gorgeous beaches. But while Sal is renowned for its beaches, Santiago is talked about for its culture and nightlife.

Cape Verde's capital city, Praia, is the most modern and cosmopolitan place in the country. Here you'll find hints of the culture of the other islands, of Portugal, and of the world beyond. This is the place to go for great restaurants and bars, interesting people, and culture. Here, you'll find shows, festivals, exhibitions, and other interesting cultural activities.

São Vicente Island and the City of Mindelo

São Vicente is Cape Verde's creative heart. This is where most of Cape Verde's artists come from, including Cesaria Evora, the singer better known as the Barefoot Diva. All of this culture, art, and music is mostly centered in the beautiful city of Mindelo, the capital of São Vicente. A town both charming and original but buzzing with an exciting nightlife, Mindelo is where you go when you're tired of beach and sun and want something a little more... stimulating.

But just because São Vicente is the cultural capital of Cape Verde does not mean you can't enjoy a little bit of beach there. The beach at Foya Branca is simply gorgeous, with white sand and sparkling blue sea. Want the best of both worlds? There's a free shuttle to take you from the beach to the city.

The Other Cape Verde Islands

While the rest of the Cape Verde islands might not be as populated as the others, that's not necessarily a bad thing... and might just be a reason to choose one of the islands below instead of the popular tourist centers on Sal, Santiago, or São Vicente. There's a free shuttle to take you from the beach to the city.

Santo Antão

While Santo Antão is the second largest of the Cape Verde islands, it has an empty, peaceful feel you won't find on the more touristy islands. With an incredible green landscape (refreshing after the moon-like landscape of Sal) and tall mountains, it's the perfect place for hiking and long walks among the scenery. While you're there, take a visit to Fontainhas, a pretty little village perched precariously at the edge of a deep ravine.

Fogo

Fogo's main draw? It is the only active volcano in Cape Verde. The volcano is the highest mountain in the Cape Verde islands, and the area around it is green and lush and fertile. Inside the crater produced by the volcano are grown wonderful coffees and wines, and you can go for a tasting of both. While you're there, visit the city of São Felipe, a picturesque town that brings you back to old Portugal.

Boa Vista Island

Of all the inhabited islands, Boa Vista is the least densely population. It is characterized by perfect and unspoiled landscape and fifty-five kilometers of incredible shimmering white beaches. True to its small population, the lifestyle here is peaceful and relaxed-- perfect for a quiet, private vacation. Love to windsurf? Boa Vista is one of the most popular Cape Verde islands to do it on.

São Nicolau

São Nicolau is all about calmness and tranquility. There's very little tourism on the island, so while it can be difficult to find accommodation, the empty, unspoiled feel of the island makes it worth it. This mountainous island is relatively green and is a beautiful place for long walks and horseback rides. This is also a popular place for deep sea fishing and bird watching.

Maio

Though it does have some forests, Maio is like Boa Visa and Sal-- a flatter, more desert-like island, with endless stretches of empty beaches. And they really are empty. Only 4000 people live on the island, and there is very little tourism here to speak of. On the north side of the island is an incredible lagoon surrounded by greenery.

Brava

With tall sea cliffs guarding the rich green landscape from view, Brava is sometimes called the "secret island" of Cape Verde. The smallest of the inhabited Cape Verde islands, Brava's main attractions are its natural beauty and varied animal life. With steep mountain peeks and deep, dark gorges at every turn, Brava is nothing if not wild and beautiful.

View Map of Cape Verde Islands




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