Cape Verde: 14 places to see across the islands

Explore Cape Verde's 14 key locations across the archipelago, from the Windward Islands (Sal, São Vicente, Boa Vista) to the Leeward Islands (Santiago, Fogo, Maio). Visit iconic sites including Pico de Fogo, the highest peak at 2,829 meters, Santo Antão Island's hiking terrain, and the Pedro Lume Crater with its mineral-rich saltwater lagoon.

Mode
Places
Start
Origins of the Name (Capvert Peninsula)
End
Maio Island
Stops
14
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Origins of the Name (Capvert Peninsula) — The archipelago takes its name from the verdant Senegalese peninsula, reflecting Portuguese explorers' naming convention for these Atlantic islands.
  2. Santo Antão Island & Hiking — Mountainous island famous for dramatic valleys, terraced agriculture, and challenging trekking routes through lush volcanic terrain and coastal cliffs.
  3. Pico de Fogo Highest Peak — Active volcanic cone rising 2,829 meters, offering adventurous hikers panoramic views and access to Cape Verde's most dramatic geological landmark.
  4. Caldera de Fogo Crater — Massive volcanic depression containing fertile settlements and agricultural land, showcasing the island's complex volcanic geology and human adaptation.
  5. Calejão, Cabo Verde — Eastern island group characterized by arid landscapes, pristine beaches, and consistent trade winds that shaped their distinct culture and economy.
  6. Leeward Islands (Maio, Santiago, Fogo, Brava) — Western islands featuring greater vegetation, volcanic peaks, and Santiago as the cultural and historical heart of Cape Verde.
  7. Pedro Lume Crater — Large volcanic crater filled with salt water, with higher mineral content than the Dead Sea
  8. HMS Beagle & Darwin's Landing at Praia — Historic port city where naturalist Charles Darwin briefly visited in 1832, contributing observations to his evolutionary theory development.
  9. Mindelo Port on São Vicente — Natural harbor and former coaling station transformed into Cape Verde's primary port and cultural capital, blending maritime heritage with contemporary vitality.
  10. Ribeira Grande / Cidade Velha — First permanent Portuguese settlement in the region, located south of Santiago Island
  11. Sal Island — One of the windward islands of the archipelago
  12. São Vicente Island — One of the windward islands, home to Mindelo port
  13. Boa Vista Island — One of the windward islands of the archipelago
  14. Maio Island — One of the leeward islands of the archipelago

Useful for your trip

Food
Try cachupa, the national dish - a slow cooked stew with two types of corn, three or four varieties of beans, and fish or meat.
Food
Sample grogay, the national liquor made from sugarcane with over 40% alcohol content, similar in taste to rum.
Tip
Visit Santo Antão island for hiking with vertical terrain, canyons, valleys, and trails of various difficulty levels.
Tip
Swim in Pedro Lume Crater, a volcanic crater filled with salt water that has higher mineral content than the Dead Sea, causing automatic floating.
Tip
Explore Cidade Velha (Ribeira Grande), the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Cape Verde and a historic port visited by Columbus and Vasco da Gama.
Tip
Visit Sal island for its famous 8-kilometer stretch of beautiful beach, the archipelago's main tourist attraction.
Tip
Climb Pico de Fogo, the highest peak in Cape Verde at 2,829 meters, which emerges from an ancient crater.
Tip
Experience windsurfing, kitesurfing, and diving in Cape Verde's crystal clear waters and natural winds, considered among the world's best.
Timing
Visit between June and February if interested in observing loggerhead turtle nesting sites, though capturing them is illegal.
Tip
Learn that Portuguese is the official language, but virtually all Cape Verdians speak Cape Verdean Creole (creolu), a Portuguese-based language with African influences.
Save money
Note that 90% of food consumed in Cape Verde is imported due to only 10-11% of land being suitable for agriculture, so expect higher food prices.

Video on this route

THIS IS LIFE IN CAPE VERDE: customs, people, geography, destinations

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