Some 500 kilometres off the coast of West Africa lies Cabo Verde, an island nation that’s making headlines after qualifying for its first World Cup this summer.
Geographically, the country’s islands form part of Macaronesia, which means “Islands of Bliss”, alongside Madeira, the Canary Islands and the Azores, which are all Atlantic archipelagos known for their similar vegetation and volcanic landscapes.
As the country prepares to join nine other African nations on football’s biggest stage, here’s why it should also be added to your travel list.
When is the best time to visit Cabo Verde?
A nation where the sun shines 350 days a year, temperatures typically range between 21C and 29C.
The islands also only have two seasons: “Tempo das brisas”, or time of the winds, from October to mid-July, and “tempo das chuvas”, which is the rainy season from August to September.
For travellers looking to beat the island heat, the coolest months are January and February, when the temperature can drop as low as 16C. While those able to brave the hotter temperatures should travel in September, when numbers soar upwards of 36C.
Which island suits you?
The total area of Cabo Verde spreads 4,033 square kilometres across the Atlantic and includes 10 major islands, of which nine are inhabited. Each comes with its own distinct personality, shaped by Creole culture.
For beach lovers, Sal, which means salt, is famed for its crystal clear turquoise waters contrasted by ivory white sands and year-round mild climate. Santa Maria Beach is known as one of the “Seven Wonders of Cabo Verde” with beach-goers spotting dolphins, schools of fish, rays and if you’re lucky, moray eels in the waters. It’s also complete with dining spots, places to shop and plenty of water activities and tours.
Beyond the water, Sal island’s town of Santa Maria offers everything from great hikes stretching from Pontão de Santa Maria to Ponta Preta beach, to golf courses, horse riding, ziplining and visits to the Botanic Garden Pachamama Eco Park or House of Culture Museum.
For travellers seeking more culture over the coastline, the island of São Vicente stands out for its unique blend of Africa, European, Portuguese and Brazilian influences. The capital, Mindelo, is home to Centro Cultural do Mindelo where visitors can “feel the soul of Cabo Verde” through food, street art, handicrafts, night life and traditional music tours. Guides are offered in English, French, German and Portuguese, with a six-hour island and culture tour starting at €130.
Elsewhere in the archipelago, Maio island is great for slower and quieter excursions. Cabo Verde’s tourism board recommends biking as the best mode of transportation to soak in the island’s beaches, bays, lagoons and cultural attractions.
Many of Maio’s beaches double as biosphere reserves and protected habitats where thousands of turtles seek out the warm sands to lay their eggs each year. Strictly with the accompaniment of a guide or biologist, visitors can watch the turtles in places such as Lagoa, Barreiro, Salinas Porto inglês and Terras Salgadas.
Other Cabo Verde islands include Santiago, Fogo, Santo Antão, Brava, Boa Vista, São Nicolau and Santa Luzia.
Atlantic flavours and cruise routes
From picture-perfect beaches to the dining table, the island’s flavours make it a destination best experienced through its senses as much as its scenery.
A dish like “cachupa”, a hearty stew made with a mix of meats such as beef, chicken, tuna and sausages, is slow-cooked with vegetables including maize, beans, cassava, carrots, cabbage, kale and pumpkin. It’s no wonder it is locally known as the “feast of the islands”.
Thanks to its surrounding Atlantic waters, seafood is also a staple across the islands, with swordfish, grouper, horse mackerel, mackerel, snapper and salmon popular on menus. While the more adventurous foodies can opt for octopus or grilled conch dishes for a more local taste of the Cabo Verdean sea.
Cruise routes calling at the island’s São Vicente and Santiago ports also open up wider itineraries, linking Cabo Verde with other African destinations, including Senegal and The Gambia. Cruise liners such as Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises and Princess offer tours that include Cabo Verde.
Where to stay
Jake Cardigan, a travel specialist at Archipelago Choice, compiled a list of top five stays in Cabo Verde.
First mention went to Terra Lodge on the island of São Vicente. Guests can choose between standard rooms and suites, starting at €85 per night. While there are no television sets, the stay instead offers stunning views of the Mindelo bay. Cardigan described the hotel as an “oasis of calm” among the bustling streets of a cosmopolitan city, where guests can relax in hammocks and enjoy the scenery.
In Boa Vista, he recommended Orquidea Guesthouse for travellers seeking a “tranquil and relaxing beach-based holiday”. Just a stone’s throw away from the island’s main town, Sal Rei, and 50 metres from Estoril Beach, guests have easy access to both coastal and local life. Cardigan also said the stay begins with a tasty Cabo Verdean breakfast, followed by a coffee and a chat with the resident parrots, who are “full of useful advice about where to eat”.
His other hotel recommendations were Casa Cavoquinho in Santo Antão, Casa Marisa in Fogo, and The Barcelo Praia in Santiago.
How to get there
Cabo Verde’s islands are accessible via four international airports:
- Amílcar Cabral International Airport, Sal Island
- Nelson Mandela International Airport, Santiago Island
- Aristides Pereira International Airport, Boa Vista Island
- Cesária Évora International Airport, São Vicente Island
A non-stop, round-trip easyJet flight from Lisbon to Boa Vista takes around four hours and 20 minutes, with fares starting at €136 in September. Direct flights are also available from other European cities such as London, Manchester, Brussels and Porto with easyJet and TAP Air Portugal.
In total, the country has seven airports, with the other three being domestic hubs offering inter-island flights with local carrier Cabo Verde Airlines.