Where to stay in Cape Verde?

Stay in Santiago, Cape Verde's largest island

Santiago is the largest and most populous island in the Cape Verde archipelago. Its largest city, Praia, is the country's capital. Nelson Mandela International Airport is one of two airports in the archipelago, along with the one on Sal, to handle international flights.

This is the liveliest part of the archipelago. Mainly in Praia, in the south, you'll find a large number of restaurants, bars and shops. In addition to its liveliness, a visit to Santiago will give you a better understanding of Cape Verde's history and culture. A car is an excellent way to get around, given the good condition of the roads.

The main sites of interest in Santiago are as follows:

• Go to the northern town of Tarrafal for aquatic activities
• Stroll along Quebra Canela beach, the most important beach in the capital Praia
• Visit the 16th-centuryroyal fortress of Sao Filipe in Cidade Velha, Cape Verde's historic capital
• Stroll through the Assomada market, located in the center of the city and selling local produce (fruit, vegetables, fish, etc.)

If you want to stay in Santiago, there's a wide range of accommodation on offer, especially in Praia and the north-west. It consists mainly of hotels and apartments, to suit all budgets. What's more, staying in Santiago for a few days will allow you to begin immersing yourself in the country's culture. It's also an excellent starting point for visiting other islands, by taking a boat from the port of Praia. More expensive and faster, you can also fly to other islands with airports.

Accommodation in Sal, to enjoy the beaches

Sal is an island that has gradually become an increasingly important tourist destination in the archipelago. Mostly flat, Sal attracts travellers above all for the beauty of its beaches.

It is served by Amilcar Cabral International Airport, the archipelago's largest. Located in the center of the island, in Espargos, it offers internal flights to other islands. You can also take a boat from the port of Palmeira, Sal's capital, located on the west coast, 5 kilometers from the airport.

The main points of interest in Sal are as follows:

• Santa Maria beach, one of the most beautiful in the archipelago
• Kitesurfing on the often windy southern beaches
• Float in the salt water at Salinas Pedra de Lume, where the island's name derives from the presence of this former salt mine

The accommodation on offer is less extensive than in Santiago. With slightly higher prices, the main places to stay in Sal are around Santa Maria, in the far south, and Murdeira, on the southwest coast. These are mainly hotels.

Accommodation in Sao Vicente, for a cultural experience

Sao Vicente is particularly renowned for its distinctive cultural atmosphere. Mindelo, its main city, is often considered the center of Cape Verdean culture.

Located on the north-west coast of Sao Vicente, Mindelo is characterized by its joie de vivre, its colors and the traditional music that can be heard as you stroll through its streets. In fact, it's here that Cape Verde's annual carnival takes place on Shrove Tuesday.

Choosing to stay in Sao Vicente is clearly appropriate for the sole purpose of discovering the city. Apart from the interest of visiting Mindelo, there are no other major sites to see on the island. What's more, the island's accommodation offer is almost exclusively restricted to the town and its surroundings. It's mostly apartments and hotels.

Stay in Fogo, to get closer to the volcano

Meaning "fire", Fogo is an island whose main feature is the presence of the archipelago's highest active volcano to its north-east. Culminating at a height of 2829 metres, Pico do Fogo is its major attraction. To get there, you'll need to enter the Fogo National Park and be accompanied by a guide.

Another of Fogo's attractions is its main town, Sao Filipe. Located on the south-west coast, this is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful towns in the archipelago. The colorful buildings and natural surroundings make this town a pleasure to explore.

Accommodation in Fogo is fairly limited. Most are hotels and bed & breakfasts in Sao Filipe and at the foot of the volcano. Rates here are even more affordable than in Santiago and Sal.

Stay in Santo Antao, for hiking enthusiasts

Santo Antao is the greenest island in the archipelago. Its nature and slopes make Santo Antao the ideal place for hiking in Cape Verde. For those wishing to hike in this exceptional natural setting, accommodation in this area is recommended.

A walk in the north, where the trekking trails are located, is a real treat for the eyes. All shades of green are represented. Apart from hiking, Santo Antao has little else to offer in the way of accommodation during a stay in Cape Verde.

Accommodation is mainly to be found in the northern part of the island and around Porto Novo, on the east coast. These are mainly bed & breakfasts, at very attractive rates.

Accommodation on the other Cape Verde islands: a good idea?

Of the other islands in the Cape Verde archipelago, one is uninhabited. This is Santa Luzia. It is therefore not possible to stay or visit it.

As for the other four, Boa Vista, Sao Nicolau, Brava and Maio, there is no real interest in staying there during a stay in Cape Verde. The limited number of sites of interest to see and activities to do justify this observation. What's more, the limited supply of accommodation makes it more interesting to visit them for a few hours or half a day.

You could, for example, visit Sao Nicolau to see its fishing port at Tarrafal and sample its culinary specialties. Boa Vista, meanwhile, is worth a visit for its sandy desert and beautiful beaches.