Africa · Island-hopping: beaches, hikes & volcanoes
White beaches on Sal, spectacular cliff hikes on Santo Antão, live morna in Mindelo and a village inside the Fogo volcano, only 6–9 hours away.
Overview
Cape Verde is ten volcanic islands in the Atlantic off West Africa, and every one is different. Sal and Boa Vista are flat, sunny and sandy, with turquoise water and world-class kitesurfing. Santo Antão is a green, mountainous hiking paradise of terraced valleys and cliffside paths. Mindelo, on São Vicente, is the musical soul of the country, and Fogo is an active volcano with a wine-making village in its crater. The islands have a warm climate all winter, a small time difference and a relaxed Creole culture. Getting around works without a car: shared minibuses (aluguers) and taxis on each island, a reliable ferry between São Vicente and Santo Antão, and short inter-island flights (which are often delayed, so keep buffers).
Scorecard
Tap a criterion to see why it got that score.
Average of 20 criteria
Simple and tasty: cachupa stew, fresh tuna and wahoo, goat cheese, Fogo wine and grogue rum.
Cidade Velha and Mindelo's colonial centre; the islands are about nature and music.
Green valleys, sea cliffs and an active volcano, very different from island to island.
Excellent beaches on Sal and Boa Vista; the hiking islands have few.
Nesting turtles (Jul–Oct), lemon sharks, humpback whales off Boa Vista (Mar–May).
Great hiking, world-class kitesurfing and windsurfing, diving and volcano climbing.
Live music every night in Mindelo, and a famous carnival in February.
An easy-going pace: 'no stress' is the national motto.
Beach, mountain, music-town and volcano islands in one trip.
6–9 h with one stop via Lisbon, or direct from Zurich (Edelweiss) in winter.
Aluguers and ferries work well, but inter-island flights are often delayed.
Portuguese and Creole (some French and English in tourism); EASE pre-registration.
2 h behind Geneva in winter (3 h in summer).
10–14 days is ideal for three or four islands.
Mid-priced: cheaper than Europe, but inter-island flights and resort areas add up.
Sunny and 24–28°C all winter; windy from December to April.
Generally safe; petty theft in Praia and on Sal's beaches at night.
WHO-certified malaria-free since 2024; occasional dengue; bring sunscreen.
Resorts on Sal, charming guesthouses on the other islands; limited choice.
Sal is busy with package tourists; the other islands are quiet.
When to go
November to June is best, and a great winter-sun escape. Come from July to October for turtles and green islands, accepting humidity and some rain.
Getting there
No direct flight from Geneva. The easiest route is TAP via Lisbon, which serves Sal, Praia and São Vicente, so you can fly into one island and out of another. In winter (Oct–Apr), Edelweiss flies direct from Zurich to Sal (and some weeks to Boa Vista, São Vicente and Praia).
| Routing | Airline | Stops | Travel time | Return, economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GVA → LIS → SID / VXE / RAI | TAP Air Portugal | 1 | 7h–9h | CHF 500–900 |
| ZRH → SID (direct) Winter only, 1–2 flights a week; add the train from Geneva (2h45). | Edelweiss | Nonstop | 6h20 | CHF 500–900 |
| GVA → LIS / OPO → SID Two separate tickets: leave a long connection. | easyJet + easyJet / TAP | 1 | 8h–11h | CHF 350–700 |
Itinerary
Pick a trip length. Day 1 is arrival day and the last day is departure day; the overnight flights are extra. Each transfer lists every option, with the recommended one first.
Beaches, the best hiking island and the historic capital.
🧭 Explorer 4 bases · 4 moves
Land on Sal (via Lisbon, or direct from Zurich in winter), a 20-min taxi to Santa Maria, and a sunset on the pier.
Watch the fishermen land tuna, then grilled fish on the beach.
Swim at Santa Maria, float in the salt crater of Pedra de Lume, and see lemon sharks in the shallows of Shark Bay.
Float like in the Dead Sea inside an old volcano.
Wade in knee-deep water with baby lemon sharks.
Kite Beach is one of the world's best spots (windiest Dec–Apr).
A short hop to São Vicente and an evening of live music in Mindelo.
Casa da Morna or Café Lisboa: live music most nights.
The morning ferry across the channel, then an aluguer (shared minibus) over the old cobbled mountain road to Ponta do Sol.
The cobbled road over the island's green ridge, with stops at the Cova crater.
The island's classic hike: from the rim of a green crater down 1,000 m into the lush Paul valley of banana, mango and sugar cane.
3–4 h mostly downhill on a stone path, ending with grogue in a village distillery.
Sugar-cane rum pressed by ox (or engine) and distilled on the spot.
The spectacular cliff path via Fontainhas, one of the most photographed villages in Cape Verde.
5 h along the coast; a taxi or aluguer brings you back.
Grilled wahoo or tuna by the harbour.
Aluguer to the port and the ferry back to São Vicente.
The fish market, Praça Nova and the Torre de Belém replica.
A flight to Praia, the capital, and an evening in the Plateau old town.
The old centre and Sucupira market.
The UNESCO first colonial town, a key port in the Atlantic slave trade: fortress, pillory and cobbled Rua Banana.
Ruins, a museum and the oldest colonial street in the tropics.
Last morning in Praia, then the flight via Lisbon.
A last swim near the Prainha district.
Hiking first, then the beach: one base on each island.
🌴 Relaxed 2 bases · 2 moves
Land on Sal (via Lisbon, or direct from Zurich in winter), a 20-min taxi to Santa Maria, and a sunset on the pier.
Watch the fishermen land tuna, then grilled fish on the beach.
A morning flight to São Vicente, a taxi to the port, and the ferry to Santo Antão.
Or the faster coast road through the tunnel.
The island's classic hike: from the rim of a green crater down 1,000 m into the lush Paul valley of banana, mango and sugar cane.
3–4 h mostly downhill on a stone path, ending with grogue in a village distillery.
Sugar-cane rum pressed by ox (or engine) and distilled on the spot.
The spectacular cliff path via Fontainhas, one of the most photographed villages in Cape Verde.
5 h along the coast; a taxi or aluguer brings you back.
Grilled wahoo or tuna by the harbour.
A shorter valley walk in Ribeira da Torre, a swim at the Ponta do Sol pools, or a cooking class with cachupa.
An easy walk between terraces and sugar cane.
The ferry to Mindelo and a flight back to Sal.
Back in Santa Maria.
Swim at Santa Maria, float in the salt crater of Pedra de Lume, and see lemon sharks in the shallows of Shark Bay.
Float like in the Dead Sea inside an old volcano.
Wade in knee-deep water with baby lemon sharks.
Kite Beach is one of the world's best spots (windiest Dec–Apr).
The Blue Eye natural pool at Buracona, the fishing village of Palmeira and the mirage of Terra Boa.
Natural lava pools and a cave where sunlight turns the water electric blue (around midday).
Snorkelling, a boat trip, or turtle-watching at night (July–October).
Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on Sal's beaches; guided night walks with Project Biodiversity.
The wild end of Santa Maria beach, with big waves.
A last swim, then the flight (via Lisbon, or direct to Zurich in winter).
Santa Maria's calm water.
Music, Monte Verde and Baía das Gatas.
🧭 Explorer 4 bases · 4 moves
Land on Sal (via Lisbon, or direct from Zurich in winter), a 20-min taxi to Santa Maria, and a sunset on the pier.
Watch the fishermen land tuna, then grilled fish on the beach.
Swim at Santa Maria, float in the salt crater of Pedra de Lume, and see lemon sharks in the shallows of Shark Bay.
Float like in the Dead Sea inside an old volcano.
Wade in knee-deep water with baby lemon sharks.
Kite Beach is one of the world's best spots (windiest Dec–Apr).
A short hop to São Vicente and an evening of live music in Mindelo.
Casa da Morna or Café Lisboa: live music most nights.
The morning ferry across the channel, then an aluguer (shared minibus) over the old cobbled mountain road to Ponta do Sol.
The cobbled road over the island's green ridge, with stops at the Cova crater.
The island's classic hike: from the rim of a green crater down 1,000 m into the lush Paul valley of banana, mango and sugar cane.
3–4 h mostly downhill on a stone path, ending with grogue in a village distillery.
Sugar-cane rum pressed by ox (or engine) and distilled on the spot.
The spectacular cliff path via Fontainhas, one of the most photographed villages in Cape Verde.
5 h along the coast; a taxi or aluguer brings you back.
Grilled wahoo or tuna by the harbour.
Aluguer to the port and the ferry back to São Vicente.
The fish market, Praça Nova and the Torre de Belém replica.
Monte Verde for the view, Baía das Gatas or São Pedro beach, and another evening of live music.
The island's green summit (774 m) with views over the bay.
A lagoon protected by a reef.
A flight to Praia, the capital, and an evening in the Plateau old town.
The old centre and Sucupira market.
The UNESCO first colonial town, a key port in the Atlantic slave trade: fortress, pillory and cobbled Rua Banana.
Ruins, a museum and the oldest colonial street in the tropics.
Last morning in Praia, then the flight via Lisbon.
A last swim near the Prainha district.
Valleys and grogue.
🌴 Relaxed 2 bases · 2 moves
Land on Sal (via Lisbon, or direct from Zurich in winter), a 20-min taxi to Santa Maria, and a sunset on the pier.
Watch the fishermen land tuna, then grilled fish on the beach.
A morning flight to São Vicente, a taxi to the port, and the ferry to Santo Antão.
Or the faster coast road through the tunnel.
The island's classic hike: from the rim of a green crater down 1,000 m into the lush Paul valley of banana, mango and sugar cane.
3–4 h mostly downhill on a stone path, ending with grogue in a village distillery.
Sugar-cane rum pressed by ox (or engine) and distilled on the spot.
The spectacular cliff path via Fontainhas, one of the most photographed villages in Cape Verde.
5 h along the coast; a taxi or aluguer brings you back.
Grilled wahoo or tuna by the harbour.
A shorter valley walk in Ribeira da Torre, a swim at the Ponta do Sol pools, or a cooking class with cachupa.
An easy walk between terraces and sugar cane.
A shorter valley walk in Ribeira da Torre, a swim at the Ponta do Sol pools, or a cooking class with cachupa.
An easy walk between terraces and sugar cane.
The ferry to Mindelo and a flight back to Sal.
Back in Santa Maria.
Swim at Santa Maria, float in the salt crater of Pedra de Lume, and see lemon sharks in the shallows of Shark Bay.
Float like in the Dead Sea inside an old volcano.
Wade in knee-deep water with baby lemon sharks.
Kite Beach is one of the world's best spots (windiest Dec–Apr).
The Blue Eye natural pool at Buracona, the fishing village of Palmeira and the mirage of Terra Boa.
Natural lava pools and a cave where sunlight turns the water electric blue (around midday).
Snorkelling, a boat trip, or turtle-watching at night (July–October).
Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on Sal's beaches; guided night walks with Project Biodiversity.
The wild end of Santa Maria beach, with big waves.
A last swim, then the flight (via Lisbon, or direct to Zurich in winter).
Santa Maria's calm water.
Cross Santiago to its beach in the north.
🧭 Explorer 5 bases · 5 moves
Land on Sal (via Lisbon, or direct from Zurich in winter), a 20-min taxi to Santa Maria, and a sunset on the pier.
Watch the fishermen land tuna, then grilled fish on the beach.
Swim at Santa Maria, float in the salt crater of Pedra de Lume, and see lemon sharks in the shallows of Shark Bay.
Float like in the Dead Sea inside an old volcano.
Wade in knee-deep water with baby lemon sharks.
Kite Beach is one of the world's best spots (windiest Dec–Apr).
A short hop to São Vicente and an evening of live music in Mindelo.
Casa da Morna or Café Lisboa: live music most nights.
The morning ferry across the channel, then an aluguer (shared minibus) over the old cobbled mountain road to Ponta do Sol.
The cobbled road over the island's green ridge, with stops at the Cova crater.
The island's classic hike: from the rim of a green crater down 1,000 m into the lush Paul valley of banana, mango and sugar cane.
3–4 h mostly downhill on a stone path, ending with grogue in a village distillery.
Sugar-cane rum pressed by ox (or engine) and distilled on the spot.
The spectacular cliff path via Fontainhas, one of the most photographed villages in Cape Verde.
5 h along the coast; a taxi or aluguer brings you back.
Grilled wahoo or tuna by the harbour.
Aluguer to the port and the ferry back to São Vicente.
The fish market, Praça Nova and the Torre de Belém replica.
Monte Verde for the view, Baía das Gatas or São Pedro beach, and another evening of live music.
The island's green summit (774 m) with views over the bay.
A lagoon protected by a reef.
A flight to Praia, the capital, and an evening in the Plateau old town.
The old centre and Sucupira market.
The UNESCO first colonial town, a key port in the Atlantic slave trade: fortress, pillory and cobbled Rua Banana.
Ruins, a museum and the oldest colonial street in the tropics.
A shared minibus through the mountains, via the Assomada market and the Serra Malagueta park.
The busiest market on the island (Wed & Fri).
A calm, palm-fringed cove.
A taxi to Praia airport for the flight home via Lisbon.
The bay is best in the morning.
Five nights on Sal.
🌴 Relaxed 2 bases · 2 moves
Land on Sal (via Lisbon, or direct from Zurich in winter), a 20-min taxi to Santa Maria, and a sunset on the pier.
Watch the fishermen land tuna, then grilled fish on the beach.
A morning flight to São Vicente, a taxi to the port, and the ferry to Santo Antão.
Or the faster coast road through the tunnel.
The island's classic hike: from the rim of a green crater down 1,000 m into the lush Paul valley of banana, mango and sugar cane.
3–4 h mostly downhill on a stone path, ending with grogue in a village distillery.
Sugar-cane rum pressed by ox (or engine) and distilled on the spot.
The spectacular cliff path via Fontainhas, one of the most photographed villages in Cape Verde.
5 h along the coast; a taxi or aluguer brings you back.
Grilled wahoo or tuna by the harbour.
A shorter valley walk in Ribeira da Torre, a swim at the Ponta do Sol pools, or a cooking class with cachupa.
An easy walk between terraces and sugar cane.
A shorter valley walk in Ribeira da Torre, a swim at the Ponta do Sol pools, or a cooking class with cachupa.
An easy walk between terraces and sugar cane.
The ferry to Mindelo and a flight back to Sal.
Back in Santa Maria.
Swim at Santa Maria, float in the salt crater of Pedra de Lume, and see lemon sharks in the shallows of Shark Bay.
Float like in the Dead Sea inside an old volcano.
Wade in knee-deep water with baby lemon sharks.
Kite Beach is one of the world's best spots (windiest Dec–Apr).
The Blue Eye natural pool at Buracona, the fishing village of Palmeira and the mirage of Terra Boa.
Natural lava pools and a cave where sunlight turns the water electric blue (around midday).
Snorkelling, a boat trip, or turtle-watching at night (July–October).
Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on Sal's beaches; guided night walks with Project Biodiversity.
The wild end of Santa Maria beach, with big waves.
Snorkelling, a boat trip, or turtle-watching at night (July–October).
Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on Sal's beaches; guided night walks with Project Biodiversity.
The wild end of Santa Maria beach, with big waves.
A last swim, then the flight (via Lisbon, or direct to Zurich in winter).
Santa Maria's calm water.
Sleep in the crater and climb Pico do Fogo.
🧭 Explorer 5 bases · 6 moves
Land on Sal (via Lisbon, or direct from Zurich in winter), a 20-min taxi to Santa Maria, and a sunset on the pier.
Watch the fishermen land tuna, then grilled fish on the beach.
Swim at Santa Maria, float in the salt crater of Pedra de Lume, and see lemon sharks in the shallows of Shark Bay.
Float like in the Dead Sea inside an old volcano.
Wade in knee-deep water with baby lemon sharks.
Kite Beach is one of the world's best spots (windiest Dec–Apr).
A short hop to São Vicente and an evening of live music in Mindelo.
Casa da Morna or Café Lisboa: live music most nights.
The morning ferry across the channel, then an aluguer (shared minibus) over the old cobbled mountain road to Ponta do Sol.
The cobbled road over the island's green ridge, with stops at the Cova crater.
The island's classic hike: from the rim of a green crater down 1,000 m into the lush Paul valley of banana, mango and sugar cane.
3–4 h mostly downhill on a stone path, ending with grogue in a village distillery.
Sugar-cane rum pressed by ox (or engine) and distilled on the spot.
The spectacular cliff path via Fontainhas, one of the most photographed villages in Cape Verde.
5 h along the coast; a taxi or aluguer brings you back.
Grilled wahoo or tuna by the harbour.
Aluguer to the port and the ferry back to São Vicente.
The fish market, Praça Nova and the Torre de Belém replica.
A flight to Praia, the capital, and an evening in the Plateau old town.
The old centre and Sucupira market.
Fly (or ferry) to São Filipe, then an aluguer up into the Chã das Caldeiras crater.
Chã wine grown on lava at 1,700 m.
A steep 6–7-h guided climb to the 2,829-m summit, and a thrilling run down the ash slope.
Start at dawn with a guide; the descent is a 'ski' down volcanic ash.
The 2014 eruption cone: a 2–3-h walk.
Down to São Filipe for a look at its colonial houses and black-sand beach, then a flight to Praia.
Sobrado houses above a black beach.
The UNESCO first colonial town, a key port in the Atlantic slave trade: fortress, pillory and cobbled Rua Banana.
Ruins, a museum and the oldest colonial street in the tropics.
Last morning in Praia, then the flight via Lisbon.
A last swim near the Prainha district.
Music nights in Mindelo between the mountains and the beach.
🌴 Relaxed 3 bases · 3 moves
Land on Sal (via Lisbon, or direct from Zurich in winter), a 20-min taxi to Santa Maria, and a sunset on the pier.
Watch the fishermen land tuna, then grilled fish on the beach.
A morning flight to São Vicente, a taxi to the port, and the ferry to Santo Antão.
Or the faster coast road through the tunnel.
The island's classic hike: from the rim of a green crater down 1,000 m into the lush Paul valley of banana, mango and sugar cane.
3–4 h mostly downhill on a stone path, ending with grogue in a village distillery.
Sugar-cane rum pressed by ox (or engine) and distilled on the spot.
The spectacular cliff path via Fontainhas, one of the most photographed villages in Cape Verde.
5 h along the coast; a taxi or aluguer brings you back.
Grilled wahoo or tuna by the harbour.
A shorter valley walk in Ribeira da Torre, a swim at the Ponta do Sol pools, or a cooking class with cachupa.
An easy walk between terraces and sugar cane.
Aluguer to the port and the ferry back to São Vicente.
The fish market, Praça Nova and the Torre de Belém replica.
Monte Verde for the view, Baía das Gatas or São Pedro beach, and another evening of live music.
The island's green summit (774 m) with views over the bay.
A lagoon protected by a reef.
A short flight back to the beach.
Back in Santa Maria.
Swim at Santa Maria, float in the salt crater of Pedra de Lume, and see lemon sharks in the shallows of Shark Bay.
Float like in the Dead Sea inside an old volcano.
Wade in knee-deep water with baby lemon sharks.
Kite Beach is one of the world's best spots (windiest Dec–Apr).
The Blue Eye natural pool at Buracona, the fishing village of Palmeira and the mirage of Terra Boa.
Natural lava pools and a cave where sunlight turns the water electric blue (around midday).
Snorkelling, a boat trip, or turtle-watching at night (July–October).
Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on Sal's beaches; guided night walks with Project Biodiversity.
The wild end of Santa Maria beach, with big waves.
Snorkelling, a boat trip, or turtle-watching at night (July–October).
Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on Sal's beaches; guided night walks with Project Biodiversity.
The wild end of Santa Maria beach, with big waves.
A last swim, then the flight (via Lisbon, or direct to Zurich in winter).
Santa Maria's calm water.
Sal, São Vicente, Santo Antão, Santiago and Fogo.
🧭 Explorer 5 bases · 6 moves
Land on Sal (via Lisbon, or direct from Zurich in winter), a 20-min taxi to Santa Maria, and a sunset on the pier.
Watch the fishermen land tuna, then grilled fish on the beach.
Swim at Santa Maria, float in the salt crater of Pedra de Lume, and see lemon sharks in the shallows of Shark Bay.
Float like in the Dead Sea inside an old volcano.
Wade in knee-deep water with baby lemon sharks.
Kite Beach is one of the world's best spots (windiest Dec–Apr).
A short hop to São Vicente and an evening of live music in Mindelo.
Casa da Morna or Café Lisboa: live music most nights.
The morning ferry across the channel, then an aluguer (shared minibus) over the old cobbled mountain road to Ponta do Sol.
The cobbled road over the island's green ridge, with stops at the Cova crater.
The island's classic hike: from the rim of a green crater down 1,000 m into the lush Paul valley of banana, mango and sugar cane.
3–4 h mostly downhill on a stone path, ending with grogue in a village distillery.
Sugar-cane rum pressed by ox (or engine) and distilled on the spot.
The spectacular cliff path via Fontainhas, one of the most photographed villages in Cape Verde.
5 h along the coast; a taxi or aluguer brings you back.
Grilled wahoo or tuna by the harbour.
Aluguer to the port and the ferry back to São Vicente.
The fish market, Praça Nova and the Torre de Belém replica.
Monte Verde for the view, Baía das Gatas or São Pedro beach, and another evening of live music.
The island's green summit (774 m) with views over the bay.
A lagoon protected by a reef.
A flight to Praia, the capital, and an evening in the Plateau old town.
The old centre and Sucupira market.
Fly (or ferry) to São Filipe, then an aluguer up into the Chã das Caldeiras crater.
Chã wine grown on lava at 1,700 m.
A steep 6–7-h guided climb to the 2,829-m summit, and a thrilling run down the ash slope.
Start at dawn with a guide; the descent is a 'ski' down volcanic ash.
The 2014 eruption cone: a 2–3-h walk.
Down to São Filipe for a look at its colonial houses and black-sand beach, then a flight to Praia.
Sobrado houses above a black beach.
The UNESCO first colonial town, a key port in the Atlantic slave trade: fortress, pillory and cobbled Rua Banana.
Ruins, a museum and the oldest colonial street in the tropics.
Last morning in Praia, then the flight via Lisbon.
A last swim near the Prainha district.
Three islands, long stays.
🌴 Relaxed 3 bases · 3 moves
Land on Sal (via Lisbon, or direct from Zurich in winter), a 20-min taxi to Santa Maria, and a sunset on the pier.
Watch the fishermen land tuna, then grilled fish on the beach.
A morning flight to São Vicente, a taxi to the port, and the ferry to Santo Antão.
Or the faster coast road through the tunnel.
The island's classic hike: from the rim of a green crater down 1,000 m into the lush Paul valley of banana, mango and sugar cane.
3–4 h mostly downhill on a stone path, ending with grogue in a village distillery.
Sugar-cane rum pressed by ox (or engine) and distilled on the spot.
The spectacular cliff path via Fontainhas, one of the most photographed villages in Cape Verde.
5 h along the coast; a taxi or aluguer brings you back.
Grilled wahoo or tuna by the harbour.
A shorter valley walk in Ribeira da Torre, a swim at the Ponta do Sol pools, or a cooking class with cachupa.
An easy walk between terraces and sugar cane.
A shorter valley walk in Ribeira da Torre, a swim at the Ponta do Sol pools, or a cooking class with cachupa.
An easy walk between terraces and sugar cane.
Aluguer to the port and the ferry back to São Vicente.
The fish market, Praça Nova and the Torre de Belém replica.
Monte Verde for the view, Baía das Gatas or São Pedro beach, and another evening of live music.
The island's green summit (774 m) with views over the bay.
A lagoon protected by a reef.
A short flight back to the beach.
Back in Santa Maria.
Swim at Santa Maria, float in the salt crater of Pedra de Lume, and see lemon sharks in the shallows of Shark Bay.
Float like in the Dead Sea inside an old volcano.
Wade in knee-deep water with baby lemon sharks.
Kite Beach is one of the world's best spots (windiest Dec–Apr).
The Blue Eye natural pool at Buracona, the fishing village of Palmeira and the mirage of Terra Boa.
Natural lava pools and a cave where sunlight turns the water electric blue (around midday).
Snorkelling, a boat trip, or turtle-watching at night (July–October).
Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on Sal's beaches; guided night walks with Project Biodiversity.
The wild end of Santa Maria beach, with big waves.
Snorkelling, a boat trip, or turtle-watching at night (July–October).
Loggerhead turtles lay their eggs on Sal's beaches; guided night walks with Project Biodiversity.
The wild end of Santa Maria beach, with big waves.
A last swim, then the flight (via Lisbon, or direct to Zurich in winter).
Santa Maria's calm water.
Skip a region, add beach days, change the pace… Suggest changes and a new version of this trip will be created.
Getting around
Fly between the far-apart islands, take the ferry between São Vicente and Santo Antão, and use aluguers and taxis on each island. Ask your guesthouse to call a trusted driver: that's how everything works here.
BestFly links Sal, São Vicente, Santiago, Fogo and Boa Vista; frequent delays.
São Vicente ⇄ Santo Antão is excellent (1 h, 2–3 a day); other routes are irregular.
Aluguers go everywhere on each island, cheaply, when full.
Cheap and easy; agree the price first.
Island tours on Sal and Boa Vista; guided hikes on Santo Antão and Fogo.
Where to stay & budget
Per person per day, excluding international flights, sharing a room. Inter-island flights (CHF 80–170 each) are the biggest extra cost.
The beach town of Sal: a long white beach, turquoise water, kitesurfers and a lively pier where fishermen land tuna.
Where: Santa Maria centre or near Ponta Preta.
The cultural capital: colonial pastel buildings, a bay full of boats, live morna music every night (the home of Cesária Évora) and the most famous carnival in Cape Verde.
Where: The centre, near Rua de Lisboa.
The hiking island: deep green valleys of sugar cane and bananas, cliffside paths between villages, and grogue distilleries.
Where: Ponta do Sol (sea and trails) or the Paul valley (lush and quiet).
The capital on the largest island, and nearby Cidade Velha, the first European colonial town in the tropics (UNESCO).
Where: The Plateau (old centre) or Prainha.
A village inside the crater of an active volcano, below the 2,829-m cone of Pico do Fogo, making wine on black lava.
Where: Chã das Caldeiras (inside the crater) or São Filipe on the coast.
A sleepy fishing town in the north of Santiago with a sandy cove, palm trees and good snorkelling.
Where: Near the beach.
Practical
Information last checked: September 2026. Visa rules, prices and timetables change, so always check before booking.
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