Deep down in the center of the Atlantic Ocean lies a tiny island nation popular for its world-class attractions. Cape Verde — officially known as the Republic of Cabo Verde — is an archipelagic country composed of 10 volcanic islands with a population numbering at around 550,000. The country was once a colony of Portugal, playing an important role as a commercial center and as a major stopover for shipping routes. Today, the country’s economy is considerably reliant on tourism, catering to half a million visitors who come to see the country’s gleaming white sand beaches, the tropical African sunshine, and even its active volcanoes. There are many things to do here, so scroll down for the top things to do in Cape Verde.
1. Enjoy the sights of Pedra de Lume Salt Crater
Located in a moon-like crater in what used to be an active volcano, Pedra de Lume Salt Crater is the place where seawater turns to salt. Enjoy the sight of the pink and white salt as it covers most of the area like snow. There is a 4.5-km (2.7-mi) long hiking trail that gives you a route around the crater. There’s also a way to the fishing village Pedra de Lume 1 km (0.62 mi) away.
Because of the high concentration of salt, you’re in for a unique swimming experience by the water as you’ll float easily. You’ll also enjoy the beneficial effects of minerals and saltwater on the body.
2. Take surfing lessons with Cape Verde's qualified instructors (from USD 37.0)
What better way to experience Cape Verde’s waters than surfing? Learn how to catch a wave and surf through the waters with qualified instructors for an hour and maximize your enjoyment of Cape Verde’s majestic beaches.
You start with the basics before actually going into the water as you slowly progress through the lessons until, eventually, you’re riding through the waves with enough competence to enjoy the momentum. Beginners and intermediate surfers are all welcome to partake in these lessons and all the equipment, including wetsuits and shoes, is included in your payment.
Santa Maria Surf Lesson in the Atlantic Ocean
Duration: 1 hour
3. Have a bird's eye view of the island with Zipline Cabo Verde (from USD 49.0)
Zipline Cabo Verde offers you a unique excursion around the entire island of Sal. Mixing adrenaline, beautiful landscapes, sports, and fun, this attraction involves you cruising through more than 1000 m (3280 ft) of zipline at 100 km/hr (62 mi/hr).
From the desert to the ocean, you are treated to a beautiful bird’s eye view of the island and the spectacular landscapes and landmarks in and around Serra Negra. Don’t worry, though, as you’ll be accompanied by your guides and specialized operators to ensure you have a wonderful experience throughout.
Ziplining in Sal, Cape Verde
Duration: 2 hours
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4. Go on a nice bike tour around Santa Maria (from USD 33.0)
If you’re planning on touring around Cape Verde, why not put some exercise along with it through Electric Beach Bike All Terrain Guided Tour in Sal? This biking tour around Santa Maria offers you a memorable outdoor excursion as you’re taken to hidden salt mines, white-sand beaches, and vibrant neighborhoods. Take in the wonderful local atmosphere with the electric beach bikes as you learn more about the places you visit thanks to the professional guide accompanying you and your group.
Sal Small-Group Electric Bike Beach Tour
Duration: 4 hours
5. Behold the picturesque, coastal landscape of Carbeirinho
As you walk along the beach, you gaze at cliffs that seemed too complicated to be carved out by Mother Nature. After all, you are looking at finely-detailed, contoured limestone rocks that seem to change color and resemble an alien structure. However, rest assured that you’re not on another planet — you have just wandered along the coastal landscape of Carbeirinho. Located northwest of Sao Nicolau island, the rock formation of Carbeirinho is actually Cape Verde’s seven wonders. The rocky formation is just a part of the natural wonder that you’ll see here: the black, sandy beach is popular for tourists and has been known as a spot for turtles and dolphins alike.
Carbeirinho
Address: Tarrafal, Sao Nicolau, Cape Verde
6. See the lemon sharks up-close in Santa Maria (from USD 33.0)
Sharks may come off as terrifying creatures to many people. However, just off the shores of Santa Maria City lives a shark species that are harmless to humans: lemon sharks. They live mostly on shallow subtropical waters, preying on other aquatic animals. On this tour, you will have the chance to see these awesome creatures up-close. A native tour guide will accompany you from your own hotel and will inform you about the sharks and the tour itself. There are two options to see the shark - stay on the boat and watch them from afar using the provided binoculars, or get in the water and watch the sharks up-close. Choose the latter if you’re conquering your own fear of sharks!
Sal Island: Shark Bay Shark Watching Experience from Santa Maria
Duration: 2 hours
7. Learn kitesurfing at Sal's renowned Kite Beach
Kite Beach got its name from the most popular water sport done here - kitesurfing. For those who don’t know what kitesurfing is, it simply is a sport that uses a power kite to propel a kiteboarder into the surface of the water. Factors such as the wind and the wave all contribute to a more enjoyable kiteboarding experience. From October to May, the wind and the wave favor kiteboarders on Kite Beach, ensuring its popularity during those months. It can also get pretty crowded during these months, so make sure to plan ahead if you’re visiting the beach for adventure. If you haven’t yet learned the basics of kitesurfing, there are lots of schools around that caters to beginners.
Kite Beach
Address: Santa Maria, Sal Island,Cape Verde
8. Stroll through the African market of Sucupira in the town of Praia
A visit to Cape Verde is incomplete without exploring the Sucupira Market, one of the most popular African markets in the town of Praia. The hustle and bustle of the natives here contribute to the market’s genuine feel. Tourists love the fact that they can buy souvenirs and great finds at bargain prices in the market. The labyrinth of stalls here caters to everyone’s needs and wants. You will find fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, fabrics, local crafts, and more. Just make sure to visit early in the morning — it gets crowded in the middle of the day, and the many sellers wrap up in the afternoon.
Mercado de Sucupira
Address: Praia, Santiago, Cape Verde
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
9. Hike to the summit of Fogo volcano (from USD 48.0)
Want to explore something different? Try hiking the peak of a volcano in Fogo. On this tour, you will be given the chance to see Pico de Fogo, an active stratovolcano. Its major eruption was in 1680, while the last and minor one was in 1995. For now, the volcano lies dormant allowing explorers to see the volcano and scale its peak. The climb there could vary from three to six hours, depending on the hiker’s expertise. Once you sign up for this trip, you will learn more about volcanoes as the guide hands out some informational account of the volcano itself. When you arrive at the peak, you will be greeted with a magnificent 360-degree view of the whole island.
Pico do Fogo Ascent - Full-Day Hike on Fogo Island
Duration: 7 hours
10. Watch sea turtle nesting in the moonlight on the beaches of Sal Island (from USD 32.58)
On this tour, you’ll be watching the sea turtles up-close and personal on one of Sal Island’s beaches. However, this tour is unlike any other - you will be watching them at night, a time when they go to the shore to nest. Biologists and expert guides will be there to answer any questions that pop into your mind as you watch these marine creatures do their thing. In the process, you will also learn about the spawning process of sea turtles right from the beginning until the end. Plus, the moonlight and the calm serenity of the night will make up for an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Santa Maria, Sal Island: Sea Turtle Watching Experience
Duration: 2.0 to 2.5 hour
11. Go horseback riding along the white sand beaches of Sal (from USD 56.0)
Most of the time, people will often mention “swimming” as a popular activity on white-sand beaches. However, this experience is uniquely different. Curious to try out horseback riding on the white-sand beaches of Sal? Then, sign-up for this tour and you will find out what the experience is like. Everyone is encouraged to try out this one, even for those who haven’t ridden a horse before. There are three options to choose from: an hour ride, a one and a half hour ride and finally, a two-hour ride. Whatever option you choose, you will be exploring all of Sal’s famous white beaches — including the renowned Kite Beach.
Horse Riding in Sal Island - Cabo Verde
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
12. Take photographs of the ancient dragon trees at Faja Valley in Sao Nicolau
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Sao Nicolau impresses tourists with its unspoilt beauty. Located between the islands of Santa Luzia and Sal, it features a mixture of landscapes, ranging from green, pastoral valleys to volcanic plains. Here, you can explore pristine areas, such as the mountain of Monte Gordo, the beach of Carbeirinho, and of course, the valley of Faja. The valley of Faja is actually one of the popular hiking spots in the island, and this is where you can see lots of dragon trees. Dragon trees are surely a sight to behold, intriguing anyone with its one-of-a-kind structure and formation. Fortunately for you, the Faja Valley has the largest population of the species in the whole world, so make sure to take photographs once you’re there.
Faja Valley
Address: Sao Nicolau Island, Cape Verde
13. Trek to Paul Valley and experience Cape Verde's rural life (from USD 87.0)
Experience Cape Verde’s rural life by trekking down Vale do Paul, a valley located in the northeastern part of Santo Antão Island. Here, life is much simpler, with the majority of the population into farming vegetable crops or tropical fruits. On this tour, you will walk along mule trails built by men to connect local communities. Along the way, you will see terraced crops, which are tendered to by farmers who grow produce such as tomato, corn, yam, banana, sugar cane, and coffee. This tour also provides an opportunity to meet the locals and know more about their culture. The experience is truly breathtaking, taking you to some of the best sceneries in Cape Verde.
Paul Valley Hiking Expedition
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
14. Go on an ATV adventure around Boa Vista Island (from USD 105.88)
Boa Vista is Cape Verde’s third-largest island with a unique geographical feature. The island is desert-like in its characteristics, with dry land, dunes, and oasis dotting the landscape. What better way to explore the whole island than to embark on an ATV tour that covers most of the island’s interesting features. On this tour, you will be embarking on an ATV journey across 80 miles (129 kilometers) of desert and oasis. Highlights of the tour include crossing the oasis of Fonte Vicente and stopping for lunch at Fundo das Figueiras. Crossing the Viana Desert is part of the tour package. Hotel pickup and drop-off is also part of the tour, with guides accompanying you throughout the tour.
Boa Vista Island: Full-Day ATV Bike Adventure with Lunch
Duration: 6.0 hour
15. Explore Sal Rei and the nearby shipwreck (from USD 44.0)
Enjoy a guided tour of Sal Rei and its rich history and culture with this shipwreck adventure. Starting in Cabo Santa Maria, learn about the history of the shipwreck as well as its impact on the people of Cape Verde today.
You will then head into the town of Sal Rei and learn not only its roots but also discover the various shops, restaurants, and attractions that are sure to help you maximize your vacation. Your final stop is Deserto de Viana where you can enjoy the sights and feel of the sand.
Shipwreck adventure
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Cape Verde, a hidden African paradise
There are a lot more sights and attractions awaiting travelers in Cape Verde. Its rich heritage combined with unique geography provides a hidden but distinctive African paradise. So, put Cape Verde on your bucket list and start exploring the tiny island nation today!
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