Cape Verde

Cape Verde is a ten-island Atlantic archipelago 600 km off West Africa, splitting into flat beach islands and steep volcanic hiking islands. Sal and Boa Vista carry the package tourism; Santo Antão and Fogo are the reason independent travellers come. Inter-island ferries and short flights connect the groups.

Cities

Mindelo

Mindelo on São Vicente is the cultural capital of Cape Verde, a colonial port town with a strong morna and coladeira music scene and the country's biggest carnival. It is the ferry gateway to Santo Antão, an hour across the channel. Evenings are for live music in the bars off the main square.

Ponta do Sol

Ponta do Sol is the northern town of Santo Antão, the hiking island, at the end of a cliff road above the Atlantic. Trails run from here into the Paul valley and along the coastal path to Fontainhas, a village clinging to a ridge. There is no airport: access is by ferry from Mindelo.

Santa Maria

Santa Maria on Sal is the archipelago's main resort town, built around eight kilometres of white beach and constant wind that makes it a world kitesurfing centre. Outside the water sports, the island is flat and arid. It has the best flight connections in the country.

When to go

See all seasons

• Harmattan haze: Occasional Saharan dust reducing visibility for a few days at a time.
• Warm and humid: Short rains, green mountains on Santo Antão, warmest sea.
• Dry and windy: Reliable sun, strong trade winds — peak kitesurfing months.

Entry & visas

Entry rules for this country aren't published here yet.

Always confirm entry rules with the official source before you book.