The Cape Verde group of islands includes ten volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Read the introductions and choose the holiday destination that suits you!
Beach vacationer’s Sal
Sal island is the most popular holiday destination of the island group in Cape Verde. Sal is best known for its long sandy beaches – there are few actual attractions on the island.
Sal is also home to Cape Verde’s number one resort, Santa Maria, which is the most developed of the cities in terms of tourism. Santa Maria’s hotel selection includes high-quality hotels and full-service resorts that are suitable for even the most demanding traveler. The destination also has good water sports opportunities for divers and surfers, for example.
Sal is suitable for the traveler looking for a peaceful beach holiday, who is looking for exotic landscapes and guaranteed sun within a reasonable flight distance. Package tours from Finland are organized to the destination.
In terms of temperature, Cape Verde is an ideal travel destination all year round, as the average temperature on the island of Sal, for example, is over 20 degrees all year round. The warmest is from August to October, when the average temperature is 27 degrees.
Easy and peaceful holiday destination Boa Vista
Boa Vista is the closest of the Cape Verde islands to Senegal on the African continent. Like the neighboring island of Sal, Boa Vista is also known for its beautiful beaches – it is no coincidence that these two islands have become Cape Verde’s most famous tourist attractions. Boa Vista has more than 50 kilometers of coastline.
There are few attractions on Boa Vista, and people usually come to the island either to relax on the beach or to do water sports. However, the historical wreck washed ashore in Santa Maria is an interesting sight that tourists often go to photograph.
Package tours to Boa Vista are also made from Finland. You should also combine island hopping on the other islands of Cape Verde with a beach holiday.
Santiago – the largest of the island group
Santiago Island is Cape Verde’s largest. The first inhabited island is also the largest in the country in terms of population: almost half of Cape Verde’s inhabitants live here. Praia, the capital and administrative center of the island nation with approximately 100,000 inhabitants, is also located on the island of Santiago.
The pride of Santiago is Cape Verde’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. The old town of Ribeira Grande, formerly also known as Cidade Velha, was added to the list in 2009. For example, the city’s fortress and churches are among the best-preserved historical sites.
Thanks to its strong local atmosphere, Santiago is suitable as an excursion destination for travelers who want to get to know ordinary Cape Verdean life outside the polished resorts.
Vaeltajan Santo Antão
Cape Verde’s second largest island, Santo Antão, is especially popular among hikers. The dramatic scenery of the mountainous island can also be explored by car. In contrast to the rugged mountains, the island also has surprisingly green places with forests and fruit trees.
In the capital of Santo Antão, Ribeira Grande, you can feel the lively market atmosphere, but the smaller sites are the real gems of the island. One of the must-visit places is the village of Fontainhas, perched on the crest of a cliff, where you can take wonderful photos. The fishing village of Ponta do Sol is also a charming stop.
São Vicente of music and culture
São Vicente is considered the cultural island of Cape Verde, especially known as a music center. Behind the lively cultural offer is the island’s past as a significant port: ships brought to São Vicente sailors looking for entertainment and influences from the world.
Most of the islanders live in the city of Mindelo. Cape Verde’s most internationally known star, singer, was also from Mindelo Cesária Évora. The music and memory of Évora, who died in 2011, live on strong on the island.
In São Vicente, it is worth getting to know the traditional Cape Verdean food warm-musical style. The island also hosts annual carnivals in February-March and music festivals in August. It is not worth traveling to São Vicente after the beaches.
The volcanic island of Fogo
Fogo is a volcanic island in Cape Verde, with a mountain peak over 2,800 meters high, Pico de Fogo, the highest point of the island group. The volcano, which last erupted in 2014 and 2015, is also a popular hiking spot among tourists.
The landscapes of the volcanic island are defined by black sand beaches and rocky terrain. The capital of the island, São Filipe, is a nice place to visit with its colorful houses. Fogo Island produces both coffee and wine, which you should try during your visit.
Excursions to small islands
In addition to the most popular holiday destinations in Cape Verde, travelers can also take day trips to the smallest islands. However, there are usually no regular ferry connections – it is best to inquire about current connections to the islands on the spot in Cape Verde.
Cape Verde’s smallest island, Santa Luzia, is completely uninhabited, and there is no public transport available to the island. Desert island seekers can try to arrange a boat ride from São Vicente.
Maio, Brava and São Nicolau are inhabited, but tourism is not visible on the islands. Cape Verde is often described as reminiscent of the Canary Islands before the arrival of mass tourism – visitors to these peaceful islands mostly encounter nature and the local way of life.
>> Read more tips for Cape Verde!
Source: www.rantapallo.fi
