An aerial view of the shore of Praia de Santiago and the Praia lighthouse on a sunny day

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Holidays in Cape Verde

Paradise beaches, year-round sunshine and adrenaline-pumping adventures: there’s a reason more and more Brits are heading to Cape Verde for a holiday.

Relatively new to the package holiday scene, Cape Verde – a ten-island nation floating off the coast of Senegal – is fast becoming a popular option for its reliable weather, white-sand beaches, and epic wildlife experiences.

Most people head to Sal or Boa Vista, both of which are just a six-hour direct flight from the UK. For beach lovers looking for an all-inclusive holiday, it’s hard to go wrong with either island.

Besides beautiful beaches (of which there are plenty), both islands combine a mix of culture, adventure and wildlife. Windswept Sal is popular with windsurfers and surfers, while Boa Vista is a prime spot for whale watching. When you fancy a break from your hotel, Santa Maria (Sal) and Sal Rei (Boa Vista) offer local nightlife and dining.

After an off-the-beaten-track experience? The islands of Fogo, Brava and Santo Antão are harder to get to (you’ll need to fly from Sal or Boa Vista) but well worth the effort. Much lusher, you’ll find volcanic peaks and black-sand beaches, ideal for hiking, adventuring and even biking.

The island of São Vicente has great nightlife and hosts Baía das Gatas, a three-day festival held each August when the town of Mindelo turns into one big party. Outside festival season, Mindelo has lively bars, nightclubs and restaurants where you can try cachupa, a slow-cooked stew, and grogue, the local firewater.

Which Cape Verde island is best for you?

For a relaxing beach holiday, the resorts on Sal and Boa Vista are a good start and attract the lion's share of visitors. For culture, São Vicente and Santiago reach through the ages with a melting pot of influences, while Fogo is ideal for hiking and backpacking.

For cheap holidays

As a rule, the lesser-visited islands such as Fogo and Santo Antão – which you get to by short connecting flights or ferry – are more affordable, with cheap hotels and guesthouses set up for a hiking holiday. You’ll find budget hotels and hostels on Sal and Santiago islands, too.

For couples

If you're looking for a romantic holiday, Sal has a good collection of adults-only luxury resorts. Those around Santa Maria put you within walking distance of the town and seafront for a romantic after-dinner stroll and cocktail.

Boa Vista is more of the same, with lots of adults-only hotels to choose from. If you’re a couple who like a DIY holiday, São Vicente is a lively island, while Fogo is brilliant for hiking.

For history and culture

São Vicente is the cultural capital of Cape Verde – and for good reason. It's the former home of singer Cesária Évora, known as the Barefoot Diva. The exhibition at candy-coloured Palácio do Povo tells the story of Cesária Évora’s life, and the Museu do Mar, a short walk away, displays shipwreck finds, from a 200-year-old bottle of port to giant elephant tusks. Stay near the main city of Mindelo for boutique hotels and local guesthouses.

Mighty volcanoes, wicked surf and wonderful wildlife await in Cape Verde. Here are some of the islands’ best bits.

Climb Pico do Fogo

Mount Fogo on Fogo island is the highest peak in the Cape Verde archipelago and is the region's only active volcano. It takes around four hours to climb, but the views from the top are incredible, stretching across all the islands. You can book a guided hike from your hotel.

Walk with sharks at Shark Bay

On the far side of Sal, Shark Bay has a school of lemon sharks that swims in the warm, shallow waters just off the coast. Named for their yellow skin, the native sharks can grow up to 3m (10ft) long and are generally harmless to humans – they prefer plankton and small fish. There are many snorkelling tours to see the sharks from the beaches of Pedra de Lume, or you can wade out and watch them from the water.

Visit the Blue Eye Cave

On the northwest shores of Sal is Buracona, the Blue Eye Cave. Eroded by millennia of waves, the lava tube is now a large rock pool, which when hit by sunlight turns a dazzling turquoise blue. The way to the caves can be a little rocky, so you’d be wise to join a guided excursion. Arrange one via your Sal resort.

Go dune bashing in Deserto de Viana

Sands once part of the Sahara Desert now gather as dunes on Deserto de Viana on Boa Vista island. Try sandboarding down the dunes, go on an ATV bike adventure or book a dune bashing tour by 4x4 jeep across the empty desert. To stay nearby, Praia de Chaves has a good collection of beachfront hotels and resorts.

Visit Cidade Velha

Founded in 1462 by the Portuguese, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Cidade Velha in Santiago is the earliest European colonist settlement in Africa. Much of the old city is still intact: its royal fortress, cathedral and the 16th-century town square with its handful of bars and restaurants. It's an easy half-day trip from the capital, Praia, where beach resorts offer excursions.

Go surfing on Sal

For windsurfing, kitesurfing and wave surfing, the south coast of Sal has some top-notch waves. World-class surfers enjoy the pumping swells into Ponta Preta Beach. For consistent waves that work for the majority, Ponta do Sinó is your best bet. To be nearby, stay in one of the laidback hotels and beach resorts in Santa Maria.

Black, white, golden – whatever colour of sand you prefer, there’s a good chance you’ll find it on these islands.

Santa Maria, Sal

Lined with colourful fishing boats and beach bars, the powdery white sand of Santa Maria Beach is perfect for lazy beach days. And when you’re ready to take a break from relaxing, you can even snorkel with turtles in turquoise seas – if you’re lucky, that is. Stay nearby in one of the luxury beach resorts and all-inclusive hotels on the beach.

Santa Monica, Boa Vista

Stretching more than 10km (6 miles) along the southwest of Boa Vista, Santa Monica Beach has a more tranquil vibe and plenty of solitude. Lapped by the Atlantic, the beach has several colourful guesthouses and cheap hotels along its shores.

Chaves, Boa Vista

For a laidback beach escape, choose Praia de Chaves on Boa Vista. It’s a beautiful stretch of beach backed by sand dunes and just a couple of hotels, including the all-inclusive Iberostar Club Boa Vista.

São Pedro, São Vicente

For watersports, São Pedro Beach on São Vicente is popular for windsurfing and kitesurfing. It has consistent, temperate winds and rugged volcanic headlands bookending the bay.

Praia de Estoril, Boa Vista

South of Sal Rei town, Praia de Estoril has colourful snack shacks and beach bars that make it one of the prettiest beaches in Boa Vista. Popular for watersports, it has several places where you can hire stand-up paddleboards and surfboards or take kitesurfing and sailing lessons.

With its tropical climate, Cape Verde is the king of winter sun. Although it’s a year-round destination – temperatures rarely drop below 20C – peak season is June and July. The rainy season falls between late July and October, but even then, showers are warm and brief.

When is the cheapest time to visit Cape Verde?

November generally has the cheapest flights to Cape Verde, but anytime between October and February is easy on the pocket – apart from the festive season, of course. Expect temperatures between 23C and 26C.

When should I go for the best weather?

Visit in December through to April for a glorious sun-drenched holiday with temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s and very little rain. If you like it hot and don’t mind a little rain, visit from August to October.

Good to know

Flight time

6 hrs

(from London)

Currency

Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)

Language

Portuguese

FAQs about holidays to Cape Verde

Is it safe to go to Cape Verde?

Cape Verde is a safe and peaceful destination, but like most popular holiday destinations, there is some petty crime – be aware of pickpockets when in a crowd. For the most up-to-date travel advice for Cape Verde, check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Do I need to have a visa to go to Cape Verde?

Travellers with a full British passport can visit Cape Verde for up to 30 days without a visa.

What vaccinations do I need to go to Cape Verde?

The Hepatitis A jab is a good idea for holidays to Cape Verde. Find out more on the NHS website before you travel.

Are there any local customs I need to be aware of?

Like most places, politeness and respect go a long way. The country is predominantly Catholic, so dress conservatively when entering churches and holy places.

How do you travel around Cape Verde?

The easiest way to island hop in the Cape Verde archipelago is to fly. There's a ferry service between the islands, but it can be unreliable. On the islands, larger towns are connected by bus, while small minibuses and taxis are also used to get around. Car hire is available in Sal and Boa Vista with some local companies, but many people stick to taxis or take excursions arranged by their hotels.