Things to do in Cabo Verde

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.