Cape Verde

The African Caribbean

Cape Verde consists of 10 islands 400 km west of Senegal, 9 of them inhabited. The most charming feature of the destination is the diversity of landscape, colour, climate, and tradition. The islands boast charming white sand and a tropical climate, suitable for beach holidays all year long. There are also volcanos, mountains, waterfalls, and endless valleys – excellent for trekkers. A huge feature of the country is fishing which makes seafood one of the best aspects of Cape Verde.

Top 10 Highlights

Geography's unique charm

Cape Verde, an archipelago off the coast of West Africa, is one of the few places on Earth where you can stand in one spot and hear waves crashing on both the west and east coasts simultaneously. This fascinating phenomenon is due to the islands' narrow width and the prevailing trade winds, creating a surreal auditory experience that highlights the geography's unique charm.

Blend of Cultures

Cape Verde boasts a captivating blend of cultures, reflected in its music, cuisine, and festivals. With influences from Africa, Europe, and South America, visitors can immerse themselves in a harmonious fusion of styles, from the rhythmic beats of batuque music to the flavors of cachupa, the national dish. This multicultural tapestry offers travelers a vibrant and enriching experience unlike any other destination.

Country Information

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Top Places to Visit

Sal Island

The "no stress" island is one of the smaller, but the archipelago's most popular island for holidaymakers. A paradise for beach lovers, Sal is home to some of the best kite surf spots in the world. But there is also a lot of history to be discovered, such as some remaining sites of the island's once booming salt trade. A must see is the Pedra de Lume salt mines, which gave origin to the name of the island (SAL means salt). In these salt lakes one can bath in a lake with a high concentration of salt, that will make you float.

Santiago Island

The most African, biggest, and first colonised island of the archipelago. Santiago is the cradle of Cape Verde, home of the countries capital, the city of Praia, and probably the most diverse island in terms of landscape. One can find here the Natural Park of Serra Malagueta with the highest point of the island, the Antónia peak with its 1.394m of altitude. Cidade Velha - the first town and former capital - was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the islands highlights.

Boavista Island

Home to one of the 7 wonders of Cape Verde, the Viana desert. Boavista is the closest island to the African continent, the reason why it has beaches with finer and whiter sand and many dunes (brought by the wind from the Sahara desert). An island with endless paradisical beaches, Boavista is also a popular spot for Caretta Caretta (sea turtles) to spawn. The island is rich in history and famous for its pottery. It is said that the most important musical style in Cape Verde was born on this island - the so called "morna".

Fogo Island

The volcano's island that is home to an active volcano which last erupted in 2014/2015. Fogo is a paradise for nature lovers and hikers and houses the highest peak of the Cape Verde archipelago (2,829 meters). Unique is the islands combination of volcanic landscape, green agricultural fields, forests, and slopes by the sea. It has one of the most historic cities and colonial architecture in Cape Verde - the city of São Filipe, full of old manor houses. Fogo is known for a strong agricultural culture, mainly wine and coffee, as well as a rich and variety gastronomy with dishes that one can only find on this island.

Maio Island

The easternmost of the Sotavento islands of Cape Verde. Where time seems to stand still, one can find some quite and traditional towns with colourful buildings and the charm of Portuguese lifestyle. The island is renowned for its stunning sandy beaches, a lush forest, and an omnipresent peaceful tranquillity. Maio is not that easy to reach and mainly combined with Santiago island.

Santo Antão Island

A unique destination for all lovers of nature and outdoor activities. It is the second largest, most westerly, most remote to the African continent and - although it hasn't rained since 2016 - the greenest island. It is not just home to the second most beautiful rural village in the world (Fontaínhas) but also the place where the country's most remarkable cultural and religious event takes place - the Saint John celebrations in June. Santo Antão offers a diversity of activities, such as excursions and discoveries, hiking, mountain biking, canyoning, or paragliding.

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