Which islands should you discover in Cape Verde?
Planning a trip to Cape Verde and unsure which islands to visit during your stay? We give you all the characteristics of the main islands of the archipelago.
Planning a trip to Cape Verde and unsure which islands to visit during your stay? We give you all the characteristics of the main islands of the archipelago to help you make your choice. Whether you're passionate about history and culture, hiking and nature, water sports, volcanic landscapes or paradisiacal beaches… you'll definitely find what you're looking for!
1. Santiago
It is the largest and most populated island in Cape Verde. Santiago is home to the country's current capital (Praia) as well as the former one (Ribeira Grande, now renamed Cidade Velha). Cidade Velha is the oldest city in the country and is sadly known as a nerve center for the slave trade. Today, it features significant remnants of the past, including the royal fortress.
Beyond its culture of multiple influences (Creole, Portuguese, African...), Santiago island has much to offer. Picturesque towns and fishing villages, verdant valleys, cliffs and canyons, paradisiacal beaches... there's plenty to discover!
2. Santo Antão
With its imposing mountains, deep and remote valleys, ribeiras and canyons, lush and desert vegetation, terraced crops and charming suspended villages, Santo Antão island is renowned for its magnificent landscapes. With such varied scenery, it's the destination of choice for hiking and trekking enthusiasts.
Among the must-do hikes during a stay on Santo Antão are the Cova crater at 1166 m altitude, the Paúl and Ribeira da Torre valleys renowned for their numerous agricultural crops (guavas, corn, bananas, sugarcane, cassava...). Other essential sites: Topo da Coroa (1979 m) and Pico da Cruz (1584 m).
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3. Fogo
Nicknamed the black pearl of the archipelago, Fogo is a volcanic island where the force of nature asserts itself through the magnificent character of its volcano, Pico do Fogo. Standing at 2892 m altitude, this active volcano (the only still-active volcano in the archipelago) dominates the landscape and is the highest point on the Cape Verde islands. It's the ideal spot for hikers.
Fogo island is also known for its sobrados, which are mainly found in the island's capital, the city of São Filipe. These are large colonial mansions where aristocrats and their slaves once lived.
4. Boavista
Boavista is the 3rd largest island in the archipelago. Unlike the previous ones, this island is relatively flat. It's particularly popular for the beauty of its beaches with crystal-clear waters and the Viana Desert. Its endless stretches of sand have even earned it the nickname of the dune island.
It's worth noting that some of its beaches are renowned as sea turtle nesting sites and the coastlines are among the migration paths of humpback whales. Beyond its landscapes, Boavista island appeals to visitors for its laid-back island atmosphere and the friendliness of its inhabitants.
5. The island of Sal
With its magnificent white sand beaches, turquoise waters and natural pools, Sal is one of the most touristy islands in the archipelago. Once called "Lhana" because of its flat terrain, Sal island has owed its name since 1460 to salt extraction from mines beginning in the 19th century. Although the saltworks are now abandoned, it's still possible to visit the old Pedra de Lume saltworks located in the crater of an ancient volcano below sea level.
For water sports enthusiasts, the island is also world-renowned for its surf, windsurfing and kitesurfing spots.
6. Maio
If you're looking for an island away from tourist attractions during your Cape Verde trip, then Maio island is perfect for you! Indeed, this small island is ideal for those seeking a bit of calm as well as wild landscapes preserved from mass tourism.
Relatively flat, Maio island boasts magnificent beaches with fine white sand and warm crystal-clear waters where you can discover lovely seabeds during a snorkeling or scuba diving outing. It's also home to the largest forest park in the archipelago!
7. Brava
With an area of only 64 km², it's the smallest inhabited island in Cape Verde. It's nicknamed the garden island because of the flowers in the gardens of homes. Indeed, the island is often shrouded in persistent fog that brings the moisture and coolness necessary for vegetation growth. Just take a walk through the town of Nova Sintra to fall under the charm of its flowering gardens.
Brava island is also characterized by its mountainous terrain and ever-present greenery, making it an excellent destination for nature lovers and hikers.
8. São Vicente
We conclude our tour of the most beautiful islands of Cape Verde with an island renowned for its entertainment and nightlife. A city of poets and artists of all kinds, São Vicente island is the birthplace of, among others, the legendary singer Cesária Évora. This island thus offers a stay to the rhythms of traditional music. It even hosts the largest carnival in the archipelago!
Beyond its musical and nighttime entertainment, this former volcanic island appeals for its landscapes that delight hikers, its lovely beaches and fishing villages, and its craft culture.
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Frequently asked questions
For beach lovers, Sal island and Boavista island are ideal destinations. Sal appeals with its turquoise waters, white sand beaches and world-renowned kitesurfing spots. Boavista, nicknamed the 'dune island', impresses with its vast stretches of sand and relaxed atmosphere.
Santo Antão is the ultimate reference for hikers, with its deep valleys, canyons and perched villages. Fogo island, dominated by Pico do Fogo (2892 m), also offers spectacular hikes to the crater of its active volcano. Brava and São Vicente also appeal to nature lovers and those seeking mountain landscapes.
Santiago is the largest and most populated of the Cape Verde islands. It's home to the country's capital, Praia, as well as Cidade Velha, the oldest city in the archipelago and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Brava is the smallest inhabited island in Cape Verde with an area of only 64 km². Nicknamed the 'garden island', it's renowned for its flowering gardens, lush landscapes and authentic atmosphere far from mass tourism.
To travel between Cape Verde islands, two main options exist: domestic flights operated by TACV (Cabo Verde Airlines) which quickly connect the main islands, and ferry links for nearby islands (for example between Santiago and Fogo, or between São Vicente and Santo Antão). It's recommended to book in advance, especially during high season.
The best time to visit Cape Verde is generally November to June, during the dry season. Temperatures are pleasant (25-28°C) and rainfall is minimal. The months of July to October correspond to the rainy season, which favors lush vegetation visible notably on Santo Antão and Santiago.