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We're often asked "which is the best island to visit in Cape Verde?"
It's impossible to give a simplistic answer to this question, as it depends a lot on the person's profile and what they want to do during a trip to the Cape Verde archipelago.
Some characteristics are common to all the islands, such as the morabeza of the Cape Verdean people (a welcoming and affable character), the spectacular coastal areas, some gastronomic traits, the relaxed profile of the people and the sun - lots of sun, all year round!
However, despite the common features, the islands are distinct from each other, both in morphology and in local habits and traditions.
Taking into account the idiosyncrasies of each island, we have created this article to help you decide where to start your Cape Verde adventure.
The following sections explain in detail which is the best island in Cape Verde for different profiles and purposes.
1. best island in Cape Verde for beach and sun lovers
Without a doubt, the best islands in Cape Verde for those looking to enjoy long white sandy beaches and clear waters are Sal and Boa Vista..
These islands are arid and have very low annual rainfall, meaning sun all year round!
Access to the islands of Sal and Boa Vista is easy, as both have international airports with direct flights from various countries in Europe and other continents.
- Sal: Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID)
- Boa Vista: Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC)
Connections to other islands in the country from Sal and Boa Vista are made by air and sea.
Due to the high number of tourists, the hotel infrastructure in Sal and Boa Vista is excellent, with options ranging from luxury hotels to cozy hostels and guesthouses, as well as restaurants to suit all tastes.
2. Best Cape Verde island for deserted beaches
Maio is the best island in Cape Verde for those who want beautiful beaches but wish to avoid the usual tourist spots..
Maio Island is one of the smallest in Cape Verde, with a population of just 6,330 residents. Although it’s less touristy, the island already offers good accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, and apartments.
Maio is also a biodiversity hotspot, making it an excellent choice for birdwatching, turtle spotting, snorkelling, diving, and other water activities.
The rural area is also worth a visit. This includes peaceful villages (Calheta, Morro, Morrinho, Figueira da Horta, Pilão Cão, Ribeira de Dom João, Alcatraz, Barreiro, etc.), some of the most charming little churches in the archipelago, and the Northern Maio Natural Park, the largest forested area in Cape Verde.
Maio Island is accessible from the country’s capital, Praia, in less than 30 minutes by plane or around 2 hours by boat.
3. Best island in Cape Verde for mountain tourism
The best island in Cape Verde for mountain hiking is, without a doubt, Santo Antão,not for nothing known as the island of the mountains.
Santo Antão offers amazing trails with varying levels of difficulty, giving you the chance to take in breathtaking scenery and idyllic villages. You can choose between shorter, easier hikes or longer trekking routes that can take days to complete.
Some of my favorite trails in Santo Antão are:
- Cova – Ribeira do Paul: Start the route early at Pico da Cruz, passing through the Cova crater and descending along the winding trails to Passagem. Once there, I suggest continuing down the Paúl Valley to the coastal town of Cidade das Pombas. The final part of this route can be done by car if you’re tired from the descent.
- Ponta de Sol – Cruzinha: This trail is longer but perfect for those who don’t mind walking. The full trail starts in the town of Ponta do Sol and passes through Fontainhas, Corvo, Formiguinhas, Aranhas, Cruzinha, and Chã de Igreja. The route is about 14.6 km long, and the average duration is six hours. Personal verdict: It’s worth every drop of sweat!
Santo Antão is only accessible by sea from the neighboring island of São Vicente. There are regular daily trips in both directions; the journey takes around 50-60 minutes.
An excellent alternative for mountain tourism in Cape Verde is the island of São Nicolau. A must-see is the Monte Gordo Natural Park, where at its peak you can witness the striking contrast between the lush northern side and the arid southern side, just metres apart. This peculiar disparity is due to different microclimatic zones in the region.
The uniqueness of São Nicolau's trails has recently been recognized, and for some years the island has hosted the annual "Meetup Trekking São Nicolau" event, where sports lovers have the opportunity to trek along little-explored routes.
São Nicolau is accessible by boat from São Vicente and Sal, or by plane from Santiago (Praia city).
Another great option for mountaineering in Cape Verde is the island of Brava,affectionately known as the island of flowers or the garden of the country.
With its milder climate, Brava is one of the greenest islands in the country. And despite being the smallest island in Cape Verde, Brava offers several spectacular trails with breathtaking views, where the greenery of the mountains wonderfully contrasts with the blue of the sea. We highly recommend the trail from Nossa Senhora do Monte to Fajã d’Água. Do it—you can thank us later!
Any of these islands is a great option for those who want to go beyond just sun and beach, and enjoy the fresh air and stunning mountain views of Cape Verde.
4. Best Cape Verde Island for Cultural Events
The best Cape Verde island for cultural events is definitely São Vicente.The city of Mindelo is considered by many to be the cultural capital of the country, and no wonder!
As the carnival song rightly said:"Soncent ê special; ka tem ot igual, pa bem ou pa mal" (free translation: São Vicente is unique; there’s no other like it, for better or worse.)
Mindelo hosts two of the country’s biggest cultural events annually: the vibrant and colourful Mindelo Carnival (in February/March) and the traditional Baía das Gatas Festival (in the summer). These events attract an increasing number of local and international tourists each year, creating an electric frenzy that takes over the whole island.
And because the people of São Vicente are naturally festive and creative, new cultural events are continually emerging on the island. These include, for example, the Festival da Cavala (Mackerel Festival) and the Summer Carnival, both equally vibrant events.
Mindelo also hosts the Mindelact International Theater Festival, bringing together artists from all over the world on Mindelo's stages.
Image: Porto Grande Bay, Mindelo, São Vicente island
São Vicente is the birthplace of great Cape Verdean musicians, including Cesária Évora (our late barefoot diva), Bana, Luis Morais and Tito Paris, among others. Musicality is very present on the island, and some restaurants and bars frequently offer live music.
Enjoy Mindel's nightlife when you visit the island. Don't miss the chance to enjoy a good dinner or drink to the sound of a good morna and coladeira. Or go out dancing until dawn and then head straight to the Dokas restaurant for a cachupa stew to cure your hangover (if you know, you know!).
São Vicente also has beaches for different tastes, including the classic Praia da Laginha in the heart of the city of Mindelo, Baía das Gatas (home to the music festival of the same name, one of the biggest in the country), São Pedro beach (ideal for water sports and snorkeling with turtles), among others.
Image: Sunset Praia da Laginha and Monte Cara, São Vicente island
5. Best Cape Verde island for typical flavors
Despite a common culinary base across the archipelago (including cachupa, goat cheese, fruit sweets, and seafood dishes) with small variations between the islands, each has its own typical and distinct flavours. Among them, the island of Fogo stands out for its uniqueness, making it the best island in Cape Verde to enjoy the finest local flavours. Fogo, a melhor ilha de Cabo Verde para desfrutar o melhor dos sabores locais.
The uniqueness of Fogo's flavours is largely due to the island's volcanic activity, which gives the soil its fertility. The local cuisine mainly comes from what is grown there.
In Chã das Caldeiras, a unique village at the base of Pico do Fogo volcano, the mineral-rich soil allows the cultivation of peaches, melons, apples, pomegranates, quinces, figs, and especially grapes. Some of these fruits are only grown on Fogo island – I call them lava fruits.
The grapes are used to make wines, some of which are internationally renowned. Anyone visiting Cape Verde must not leave without trying a Manecon (red wine) or a Chã white (personal preferences).
Chã das Caldeiras also produces different types of beans, including the green congo. These are used, for example, in the preparation of Djagacida, the delicious traditional typical dish of the Fogo island.
Fogo's coffee is produced in Mosteiros and is proudly acclaimed by the locals for its quality. Other seasonal fruits on the island are also of excellent quality, such as mangoes and cashews.
The mushroom-shaped goat's cheese is distinctive to the island of Fogo.
If you really want to taste the best flavors of Cape Verde, you can't miss Fogo. The island is easily accessible from the capital Praia by sea and air.
6. Best Cape Verde island to escape the usual tourist destinations
The best Cape Verde islands to escape the beaten tourist paths are São Nicolau and Brava, tied.
São Nicolau is extremely underrated as a national tourist destination despite the variety of landscapes on the island. It is no surprise that two of Cape Verde's seven wonders are located on the island: Carbeirinho and Monte Gordo Natural Park.
The island's trails, still little explored, attract hiking enthusiasts to the annual Meetup Trekking São Nicolau. You can follow the event website for future editions.
A unique feature of São Nicolau is its beautiful beaches with both white and black sand. Although they are less known than the beaches of Sal and Boa Vista, they offer equally enjoyable moments! Also worth noting are the natural pools of Juncalinho and Carbeirinho, two of our favourite spots in the country!
The The island of Brava is also a well-kept and unexplored gem.Romantic by excellence, this island is coloured by flowers, with the red of the lilies reigning among the others. With its mild climate, the island is lush and fresh, ideal for leisurely walks.
The island is small, so it's easy to cover it all in just a few days. The many viewpoints scattered around Brava allow you to contemplate the local charms, as well as the neighboring islets and islands in the distance.
The town of Nova Sintra is distinctive and full of personality. It still preserves Portuguese colonial architecture that recalls the archipelago's not-too-distant past, and that gives it a certain charm.
One of our favorite places in the country is Fajã d' Água, a spectacular coastal area on the island of Brava. Set aside at least an afternoon to spend there. Allow your body to relax in the natural pools. And at the end of the day, sit down in one of the bars facing the sea, order a portion of fried moray eel or conch accompanied by a cold drink and wait for the sun to set. You won't regret it!
7. Best island in Cape Verde to isolate yourself from the world
The The best island in Cape Verde to isolate yourself from everything is undoubtedly Santa Luzia.That's because the island is uninhabited, completely deserted. With no mobile communication network or electricity, all you can do is enjoy the birds singing, rock to the sound of the waves breaking and sleep under the most starry sky in the country.
Image:
Santa Luzia is currently maintained as a nature reserve, important for its biodiversity. Access is reserved for fishermen and educational and nature conservation groups. However, it is possible to accompany the latter on specific excursions at certain times of the year. Bioesfera Cabo Verde is one of the groups that organises occasional trips to the island.
8. Best Cape Verde island to experience a bit of everything
Of course, the best Cape Verde island for those who want to experience a bit of everything is the island of Santiago.
Santiago is home to a huge historical heritage, rich in culture and traditions. The island is criss-crossed by beautiful valleys and mountains, bathed by warm beaches and crowned by dynamic urban areas. Diversity is the watchword on the island of Santiago, the largest in the archipelago.
For those who can't do without a good beach, Tarrafal is the place to be. Tarrafal is located on the northern tip of the island of Santiago, about two hours' drive from the capital. The drive to the town offers incredible scenic views of the whole island; we suggest going along the coast and returning inland, passing the historic Tarrafal Concentration Camp.
If hiking is a must for you, you'll find a good refuge in Santiago. Routes such as Sierra Malagueta – Principal, Assomada – Ribeira da Barca or the hike up to Rui Vaz are just a few of the many alternatives. The best time for hiking in Santiago is after the rainy season, mainly from September to November, when the island is covered in a green mantle of hope.
It's unthinkable to visit Santiago and not pass through Cidade Velha. Just a 20-minute drive from the capital, Cidade Velha (formerly Ribeira Grande) offers a window into the country's past, full of historical sites. It was the first city built by Europeans in the tropics, and the first capital of Cape Verde.
For its historical and cultural importance, the Old Town has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2009. Bonus: the sunset in the Old Town is spectacular!
And of course, make sure to explore the capital, Praia. Visit the bustling Municipal Market, the colourful Sucupira Market, the city’s small museums (the Praia Ethnographic Museum, the Archaeological Museum), the historic Plateau area, and end the day at a restaurant with live music.
Santiago has the country's main international airport (Nelson Mandela International Airport – RAI), and it receives international flights from various airlines. Additionally, Santiago is directly connected by air and sea to the other islands, making it easy to travel to the rest of the country from the capital.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve explained in detail which island in the archipelago is best for each personal profile and travel purpose. Beaches, sunshine, mountains, green landscapes, deserts, culture… Cape Verde has something for everyone.
The following table is a summary guide to the article, illustrating the best that each island in Cape Verde has to offer.
| Island/ Activities | Santo Antão | São Vicente | Santa Luzia | São Nicolau | Sal | Boa Vista | Maio | Santiago | Fogo | Brava |
| Best white sand beaches | X | X | X | X | ||||||
| Best black sand beaches | X | X | ||||||||
| Water sports | X | X | X | |||||||
| Hiking/ trails | X | X | X | X | X | |||||
| Mountain Tourism | X | X | X | X | X | |||||
| Cultural events | X | X | ||||||||
| Evening entertainment | X | X | X | |||||||
| Lesser-known destinations ("off the beaten path") | X | X | X | X | ||||||
| History buffs | X | X | X | X | ||||||
| Tranquility | X | X | X | X | X | |||||
| Traditional Flavours | X | X | X | X |
If you have any further questions or if you would like more specific travel advice about Cape Verde, please get in touch with us.
2 Responses
Excelente trabalho. Parabéns.
Sugeria que aprofundasse um pouco mais em dois temas que até agora são poucos explorados que são a gastronomia de Cabo Verde, que muitos julgam ser somente a internacional (porquanto cada ilha oferece pelo menos uma) e a diversidade natural cultural das ilhas. Obrigada pela partilha enriquecedora.
Obrigada pela sugestão. Vamos sim trabalhar para trazer mais sobre isso aqui no site!