Things to Do in Cape Verde

Beaches and Resorts

If you're looking for beach resorts in Cape Verde, head to the islands of Sal and Boa Vista. These two islands concentrate almost all the large hotel complexes and seaside leisure facilities.

Sal is by far the livelier of the two and the main destination for those who want a beach holiday or an all-inclusive stay. Primarily in the south of the island, around the town of Santa Maria, where most of the action is. But for more tranquility, you can also opt for the neighboring island of Boa Vista, or elsewhere if you only want to swim.

Water Activities

Most organized activities take place on Sal, where you can try surfing, kiteboarding, or windsurfing, as well as diving and snorkeling around the island. Not to mention whale watching offshore from February to May.

Other experiences are possible elsewhere, but often with fewer support structures or organization. On Boa Vista, there’s surfing and other watersports, while for diving, the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão are renowned for their marine life and even sea turtle sightings on São Vicente. For deep-sea fishing, head once again to São Vicente or the small island of Maio, which is highly regarded for sport fishing.

Hiking

This is the other major outdoor activity in the archipelago and even the main reason some visitors come—to attempt the ascent of Pico Grande, which rises to 2,829 meters on the island of Fogo. This dormant volcano, with its 3 to 4 hours of steep climb through a lunar landscape of black lava, remains for many the highlight of hiking in Cape Verde.

That said, the archipelago also offers easier routes and walks accessible to everyone, including families. The island of Santo Antão is a great choice in this regard, with the Paul Valley allowing you to descend into a lush green cirque or the coastal trail carved into the cliffside, letting you walk above the ocean. Then there’s the island of Santiago, with its rugged terrain, if you’re looking for a more rural setting. Here, the Serra Malagueta Natural Park or Pico da Antónia (the island’s summit) with its stunning panoramas are considered excellent options.

Otherwise, most islands can also be explored by bike, including now by e-bike, or by mountain bike for the more adventurous.

Cultural Life and Activities

Undoubtedly, discovering the culture of the Cape Verde archipelago starts with visiting two key cities: Cidade Velha (on Santiago), the former capital, whose built heritage earned it UNESCO World Heritage status, and Mindelo (on São Vicente) for its stunning colonial historic center. Mindelo is also considered the country’s cultural capital, thanks in large part to its music scene.

Indeed, music has always been at the heart of Cape Verdean culture, with Cesária Évora and the morna, the country’s most famous musical style. In Mindelo and the capital, Praia, evenings and concerts are plentiful—a great way to complement a visit to the small museum dedicated to the singer, located in the house where she lived in Mindelo.

Nightlife and Going Out

Nightlife is concentrated in the capital, Praia, in Mindelo, and in the beach resorts of southern Sal. As you’d expect, the atmosphere is livelier and more beach-oriented on the latter.