The archipelago of Cape Verde consists of 10 islands and several islets and is located off the Senegalese coast. The clear waters and white sandy beaches of Cape Verde attract many tourists from all over the world.
The largest islands of the archipelago are 10. Santiago and its capital, Praia, Boa Vista and Sal are the most popular. Here you can find more tourist facilities of the place. The capital of the archipelago is the Praia, located in the volcanic Santiago, the largest island of the group. Even in the capital, the pace is slow, and there lies the heart of the islands nightlife with musical events and dances. Within walking distance of Praia is the Cidade Velha, the first colonial city that was built in the tropics, which is now a world heritage of UNESCO. Most monuments are restored or are in the final stage of maintenance.
Sao Antao, the second largest island of Cape Verde is the most westerly island of the cluster and the greenest of them all. It is characterized by the mountain Pico da Krouth that has 1585 meters of altitude, steep canyons, mountains, huge rocks, wooded slopes and small fishing villages on the edge of the cliff, like the Fontainhas. The island of Sal, one of the few flat islands of Cape Verde and especially the white tropical beach of Santa Maria, is an important ecosystem and hundreds of sea turtles come here to hatch their eggs. Apart from that, it is one of the most ideal spots in the world for windsurfing and kite surfing.
Mindelo, the capital of Sao Vicente with its colored houses and the nostalgic atmosphere is considered the heart of the local culture of the islands and gathers all the artistic movement in the country. There you will hear music while walking to the streets of the city and definitely come across with concerts and musical groups playing the traditional “Mornos” (musical idiom prevalent in Cape Verde, born from the oppression of European colonizers, with themes of nostalgia, that describes the freedom , the betrayed love and unfulfilled dreams in a melancholic way) and more. Also, Mindelo is also known for its carnival, the biggest event of the year. The Fogo Island is essentially a round-island volcano, with its picturesque Sao Fillipe making a great impression with its narrow streets, colorful colonial houses, the squares and the great church of Our Lady and especially with the spectacular views of the ocean. Fogo is an active volcano and is unique to the archipelago of the volcanic cone reaching a height 2.829m at Pico do Cano. A road with many bends ascends the south slope of the volcano, reaching the edge, at 1,800 meters, while the crater is an entire village!
Tourism on the island with dunes, Boa Vista is still sparse and here you will not find luxury hotels. But what you will find are beautiful beaches with white sand and azure waters. The most beautiful beach is Curranlinho. Another popular beach is Cabo Santa Maria, on the coast of which lies the wreck of a Spanish ship.The various islands of Cape Verde are linked together by sea and by air. The cheapest way is definitely by ferry, but we must take into account the fact that the ocean is never really quiet and that in case of bad weather maritime links are broken. You can then decide to visit Cape Verde through domestic flights: the cost is certainly much higher, but the journey is by far more comfortable.
Cape Verde from reisingerdavid
By Nikos K
Cape Verde Photos: corvinusuk, stag123, m_janitz, sylvie fondacci, Jose Manuel Trujilo, Jody MacDonald, Tom Dee, Andrew Lever.
