Cape Verde Holidays

Beaches in Cape Verde

Soft white sand and clear blue waters is the story for pretty much all the beaches in Cape Verde.

• Santa Maria, Sal – Known for its long stretch of white sand and crystal-clear waters, popular for watersports like windsurfing and kite surfing.

• Santa Monica Beach, Boa Vista – Often considered one of the best beaches in Cape Verde, boasting a long, untouched shoreline with soft white sand.

• Praia de Chaves, Boa Vista – Known for its consistent waves, ideal for both beginner and experienced surfers.

• Ponta Preta Beach, Sal – Famous for its powerful waves, attracting surf seekers from around the world.

Family-friendly beaches

While surfers will love the windy conditions and big swell in some parts, there are plenty more sheltered and shallow options for young families, too. 

• Praia de Atalanta, Boa Vista – Quiet beach with shipwreck remains on the sand that are made for a game of hide and seek or playing pirates. 

• Lagoa Beach, Sal – A calm and shallow beach perfect for families and snorkelling. 

• Sal Rei Beach, Boa Vista – Located near a lagoon, with still waters and beautiful views. 

• Santa Maria Beach, Sal – It’s one of the most popular beaches because the waters are so calm and loved by paddleboarders. 

Black-sand beaches

With internal flights and ferries, it’s possible to check out the other islands in Cape Verde – you can find black-sand beaches beyond Boa Vista and Sal.

• Praia Da Ribeira Das Pratas, Santiago – Take a daytrip over to Santiago Island to visit this black-sand beauty. Ribeira Das Pratas means ‘River of Silver’, reflecting the dramatic cliffs and lush landscape of this island’s national park. The marine life also attracts lots of snorkellers.

• Sao Filipe, Fogo – The island of Fogo has the highest volcano in Cape Verde and below the cliffs of the town of Sao Filipe is a long black-sand beach – its sand is said to have a healing effect. The current can be strong here, so make sure to ask the locals where it’s safe to swim.

Local food

Creole, Portuguese, African and Brazilian cuisines have all come together to create traditional Cape Verdean dishes.

• Cachupa – This hearty stew is a mix of corn, beans, and lots of colourful veggies like carrots, green bananas and sweet potatoes, as well as usually a fish or meat. It’s the national dish here, so everyone has their own take.

• Canja de Galinha – A rich broth, loaded with veg and seasoned with garlic, onions and bay leaves.

• Lagosta grelhada – Grilled lobster. A delicious seafood delicacy that’s a must-try for fresh fish lovers.

• Pastel – These deep-fried pastries are stuffed with all sorts of tasty fillings like tuna, chicken, spiced meat, cheese or vegetables.

• Caldo de Peixe – This fish soup is a true taste of the sea, packed with fresh fish, veg, herbs and spices.

• Feijoada – Another popular stew that's full of beans, tender pork or beef, and vegetables, usually served with a side of fluffy rice to soak up all the sauce.

Something to sip

Cape Verde’s known for producing a lot of its own delicacies from scratch, including these drinks…

• Grogue – A strong alcoholic drink locally made from sugar cane. It comes in brown or white, like rum, and is used in loads of cocktails.

• Cape Verde caipirinha – A Brazilian-inspired cocktail made with grogue, cane sugar and lime.

• Fogo coffee – The volcanic soil here produces really high-quality coffee that’s shipped all over the world.

• Fogo wine – Grapes are also grown in the volcanic soil to produce red, white and rosé wines. It’s available everywhere under the label ‘Chã’.

Popular places to eat

No need to start researching, we’ve narrowed down some of the most popular places to eat out in Cape Verde.

• Bowlavista – This place in Sal Rei on Boa Vista is a farm-to-table concept, where you can build your own bowl or order off the menu. It even has its own shop to buy their jams and chutneys.

  Ponta Preta – A laidback café on a sandy beach that’s known for seafood and its pizzas. It’s a bit of a walk from the centre of Sal’s Santa Maria but worth it for the fish curry.

  Barracuda restaurant – You can dine with your feet in the sand here on Santa Maria beach, and they serve ‘green’ lobster, paella, cataplana and suckling pig. There are a few veggie options, too, including the homemade goat’s cheese from Fogo.

  Soul Kitchen – A small, intimate restaurant above La Villa Bar & Restaurant on the beachfront, so popular you’ll want to make a reservation.

Watersports

Cape Verde doesn’t just look pretty, there are loads of watersports on offer for an active adventure, too.

• Scuba diving – Sal’s waters are the ultimate playground for scuba enthusiasts. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there are plenty of PADI courses available. Swim through silent rock tunnels, navigate old wrecks and drift over reef walls, all full of marine life, including trumpet fish and barracuda.

• Windsurfing – Cape Verde is the place to windsurf. The islands are right in the trade winds belt and winter winds range from a steady Force 4 to Force 5. Head to Tortuga Beach, where top windsurfer, Francois Guy, has set up a shop.

• Kayaking – A bit more relaxing and beginner-friendly than the wind sports and diving. You can rent your own, or one that fits two to explore together.

Experiences

Browse trips, tours and tickets on Sundeals Experiences to get more memories out of your trip to Cape Verde.

• Pedra de Lume salt mines – Soak up the laidback atmosphere of Palmeira fishing village and discover the desert mirage sands of Terra Boa and the Buracona lagoon on a 4x4 adventure. You can even float out in the salt lake of Pedra de Lume on the crater of an extinct volcano.

• Hike Mount Fogo – Mount Fogo is the top spot in Cape Verde at 2,829m, so get your hiking boots on and trek to the summit for the best views. The journey there and back takes around six hours, but it's worth every step.

• Wildlife-watching around Boa Vista – See native turtles nesting on the beach, go birdwatching, snorkelling or take a cruise out to sea. If you visit in the right season, there’ll be whale-watching tours, too.

• Cidade Velha – Visit Cape Verde’s oldest settlement on the island of Santiago, which is a UNESCO heritage site. It was a port involved in the slave trade and an important stop for explorers, Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama.

• Santa Maria Market – Stroll through the resort's lively open-air market to browse traditional crafts, like coconut shell carvings, bongo drums and African masks. You can also find surf shops and local souvenirs down the town’s cobblestone streets.

• Viana Desert – Ride through the rolling dunes and endless stretches of sandy paradise through the Viana Desert and surrounding villages. You can pick from 4x4 and quad bike safaris, as well as sandboarding experiences.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Cape Verde is all about traditional live music and dancing.

• Buddy Bar – A pub in the main square in Santa Maria that puts on live music.

  Disco Pirata – A pirate-themed club that’s open until the early hours in Santa Maria.

  Quintal da Musica – A restaurant with live music from local artists in Praia on Santiago.

  Morabeza Beach Club – On Estoril Beach on Boa Vista with sunset parties and reggae nights.

Flying

Cape Verde is made up of multiple islands, and the quickest way to travel between them is by plane. Cabo Verde Airlines and Binter Cabo Verde are the main domestic airlines and major islands like Sal, Santiago, Boa Vista and São Vicente have airports with regular flights connecting them.

Ferry

Ferries are a popular and scenic way to travel between the islands, especially for shorter distances. Companies like CV Interilhas operate regular routes between major islands – common ones include Praia (Santiago) to Mindelo (São Vicente), and Mindelo (São Vicente) to Porto Novo (Santo Antão).

Taxi

Taxis are widely available on most islands and are an easy way to get between towns and cities. There are standard taxis and shared taxis (aluguer) – shared taxis are cheaper and follow set routes. But you should always agree on a fare before starting your journey, as meters aren’t always used.

Bus

Minibuses are known locally as ‘hiace’ and are the local way of getting around, as they’re so affordable. They operate on fixed routes and are commonly found in urban areas – they just don’t always run on a strict schedule.

Car hire

Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and rental services can be found at airports and major towns. A valid driving license and a credit card are usually required. Also, roads can vary in quality, so make sure you’re comfortable with local driving conditions.

Bikes and scooters

For shorter distances or an eco-friendlier option, you could rent a bike or scooter. They’re available in most tourist areas and larger towns and are ideal for islands like Sal and Boa Vista, which are pretty flat.