Places of interest
There are nine inhabited islands in Cape Verde - Santo Antao, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia, Sal, Sao Nicolau, Santiago, Fogo, Boa Vista and Brava.
Sal
The island of Sal, characterized by its fine white sand beaches, attracts the majority of the tourists. There are three diving schools and windsurfing conditions are excellent.
Sao Tiago or Santiago
Santiago is the main island and home to the capital, Praia with its centre perched on a rocky plateau known as Platô.
Some 20km (12mi) inland from Praia, the village of Sao Domingos is the closest green agricultural valley to the capital. At the northern end of São Tiago is the island's second largest settlement, Tarrafal, an attractive fishing village, which is famous for its beaches.
Cidade Velha is the first Portuguese settlement on Cape Verde. There are ruins and old buildings and, on the hill above, the Fort Real de San Felipe, an old Portuguese fort.
Brava
Brava is the smallest of the inhabited islands but it is relatively densely populated and only three hours west of Fogo by ferry. It is one of the most scenic islands and has mountains which offer some of the best hiking opportunities in Cape Verde. There are some great beaches on the western side of the island.
São Vicente
This island is home to the deep-water port of Mindelo, a lively town with old colonial buildings and a thriving local music scene. São Vicente’s carnival is the liveliest in Cape Verde, while the traditional Baia das Gatas festival, which usually falls in August, has become internationally renowned for the standard of its music.
Activities
The islands’ spectacular scenery is ideal for hiking. The volcanic island of Fogo offers good hikes with excellent views, while the scenery on Santo Antão is particularly lush. Ribeira Grande Mountain on Santo Antão takes a day to climb and it is advisable to take a guide. There are also excellent walks on Brava and São Nicolau. Bird watching trips can be arranged.
The islands are fantastic for a wide range of water activities including sailing, sport fishing, diving and spear fishing and windsurfing.
Nightlife
Some hotels provide evening entertainment. Small villages will have a lively taverna. Most nightlife is on the main islands: there are 21 nightclubs in Cape Verde – eight on Santiago, seven on Sal, five on São Vicente and one on Fogo. Praia has a cultural center at which local Cape Verdean artists and instrumentalists perform.
Live music
There is no shortage of live Cape Verdean music which can be heard on the streets, in bars and in clubs. Music is an integral part of daily life in the islands and local musicians hope to follow in the footsteps of their internationally known compatriots such as Cesaria Evora.
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