Things to do in Cabo Verde

25 things to do in Cabo Verde

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Hike to the summit of Pico do Fogo

  Trek across volcanic ash and lunar landscapes to the crater rim of Cabo Verde's highest peak, an active volcano on Fogo Island, for jaw-dropping views at sunrise.

  Fogo

• Wander the Viana Desert on Boa Vista

  Explore the rolling sand dunes of the only desert in the archipelago, where the Sahara meets the Atlantic, creating a surreal, windswept landscape near Rabil.

  Boa Vista

• Take in the views from Monte Verde Natural Park

  Drive or hike to São Vicente's highest point for a sweeping panorama over Mindelo, the port, and deep blue ocean, especially stunning at sunset.

  São Vicente

• Swim in the natural rock pools of São Pedro

  Pause at these volcanic piscinas along the rugged São Vicente coast, where seawater fills sheltered hollows, offering a refreshing dip with waves crashing nearby.

  São Pedro, São Vicente

• Relax on Santa Maria Beach in Sal

  Sink your toes into powdery white sand and swim in translucent turquoise waters at this expansive beach, lined with cafés and water-sports operators.

  Santa Maria, Sal

• Spot humpback whales off Boa Vista

  Join a responsible whale-watching tour from Sal Rei to see migrating humpbacks breach and tail-slap in the warm Atlantic, a seasonal spectacle best from March to May.

  Boa Vista

• Explore the volcanic crater of Chã das Caldeiras

  Visit the village inside the Pico do Fogo crater’s outer caldera, surrounded by vineyards and lava fields, and taste local wine grown in mineral-rich soil.

  Fogo

• Savour a bowl of authentic Cachupa at Casa Café Mindelo

  Taste the national slow-cooked stew of corn, beans, and meat or fish at this iconic Mindelo eatery, where the rich, smoky aroma fills the air from early morning.

  Mindelo, São Vicente

• Sample grogue at a Santo Antão distillery

  Visit a small sugar-cane distillery in Paul Valley to see how the fiery local spirit is made, then taste a shot straight from the copper still alongside tropical fruits.

  Paul, Santo Antão

• Feast on fresh seafood at Mindelo’s fish market

  Pick your catch at the bustling Mercado do Peixe and have it grilled on the spot; enjoy tuna, lobster, or percebes at a plastic table overlooking the harbour.

  Mindelo, São Vicente

• Try street-food pastéis de milho in Praia’s Sucupira Market

  Grab these crunchy, golden cornmeal fritters stuffed with spiced tuna or meat from a fryer at the chaotic, colourful Sucupira market in the capital.

  Praia, Santiago

• Dance at Mindelo’s Carnival

  Join the electric February street parades of São Vicente, where samba-like beats, flamboyant costumes, and non-stop partying rival Brazil’s famous celebration.

  Mindelo, São Vicente

• Hear live morna at Le Gourmet in Mindelo

  Settle into a candlelit table at this intimate bar, where Cape Verdean musicians perform mournful, soul-stirring morna songs made famous by Cesária Évora.

  Mindelo, São Vicente

• Visit the Museu Municipal de São Filipe

  Browse exhibits on Fogo’s history, volcanic activity, and daily life inside an old sobrado mansion, with a charming courtyard and rooftop view of the peak.

  São Filipe, Fogo

• Learn about Tabanca at the Museu da Tabanca

  Discover the syncretic Afro-Christian festival with its drums, costumes, and processions at this small museum in Assomada, the heart of Santiago’s interior.

  Assomada, Santiago

• Step back in time at Cidade Velha

  Walk the cobbled streets of the first European colonial town in the tropics, a UNESCO site with a 16th-century fort and Africa’s oldest colonial church.

  Cidade Velha, Santiago

• Explore Forte Real de São Filipe

  Climb the battlements of this 1590 fortress overlooking Cidade Velha bay, once a key defence against pirates, with cannons still pointing to sea.

  Cidade Velha, Santiago

• Tour the salt flats of Pedra de Lume

  Float in the hyper-saline waters of an extinct volcano crater, where terraced salt pans have yielded ‘white gold’ since the 19th century, on Sal Island.

  Sal

• Visit Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário

  Admire the simple stone facade of the oldest colonial church in the tropics, dating from 1495, standing at the foot of the main square in Cidade Velha.

  Cidade Velha, Santiago

• Wander Praia’s historic Plateau district

  Stroll past pastel-hued colonial buildings, the presidential palace, and lively squares in the capital’s elevated old centre, with views down to the port.

  Praia, Santiago

• Feel the nightlife along Mindelo’s Avenida Marginal

  Bar-hop along the palm-fringed seafront avenue, where live music spills from clubs and restaurants, and the carnival atmosphere lasts until dawn.

  Mindelo, São Vicente

• Kitesurf at Ponta Preta in Sal

  Ride world-class waves and steady trade winds at this legendary spot, often ranked among the planet’s best for wave-riding, surrounded by golden dunes.

  Santa Maria, Sal

• Scuba dive the Blue Room cavern of Sal

  Descend into a submerged volcanic chamber where sunlight turns the water electric blue, encountering rays, groupers, and moray eels in the marine reserve.

  Sal

• Hike the coastal trail from Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha da Garça

  Trek Santo Antão’s dramatic cliffside path, high above the Atlantic, passing terraced farmlands and remote black-sand coves on an unforgettable day hike.

  Santo Antão

• Go deep-sea fishing from Mindelo

  Charter a boat for a day of angling for blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo in the rich Atlantic waters around São Vicente, with the volcanic island silhouetting the horizon.

  Mindelo, São Vicente