Cape Verde Travel

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Historical Centre with an Agricultural Heart

Cape Verde’s largest island and home to the capital Praia – distinctly African, noisy, crowded and bustling – great for music.

Cidade Velha lies about 10kms from Praia. Once the illustrious Portuguese capital of Cape Verde, with a grand cathedral and a magnificent fort. Cidade Velha’s fortunes were built on the slave trade between African and Europeans.

For over 200 years merchant galleons visited Santiago to barter and buy manpower imported from West Africa. Captain Cook, Sir Francis Drake and Vasco de Gama also docked in Cidade on their voyages of discovery. Archaeologists are currently exploring a 14th century Jesuit college, further evidence of Cidade’s rich history and historical importance.

A circular tour of the island can be completed in a day, although two is recommended to take everything in, the centre of Santiago is fertile and farming is evident, bananas, papaya and maize thrive here. There are also some excellent botanical gardens and a bustling African market.

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On the north coast the pretty fishing village of Tarrafal is well worth a visit. Here the villagers crowd round fishing boats, bartering for the best of the catch – one senses little has changed for centuries. The remainder of the coast is rugged with occasional sandy beaches.

The remainder of the coast is rugged with occasional sandy beaches.

Santiago is the most African of all the islands, a characteristic which stands out especially during traditional festivals and music. It is the largest island in the archipelago and was the first to be populated and is the most densely populated. It is now considered to be the most ancient which makes for some wonderful scenery and excellent opportunities. The island has a mountainous interior with two large mountain chains, the highest point being Pico d’Antonia at 1392m. The coastline is mainly abrupt with small sandy beaches. Variety can be found through beautiful landscapes, rural villages, botanical gardens, colourful markets, palm fringed beaches and the lively nightlife of the capital city of Praia. The town of Tarrafal situated on a hillside a few metres above sea level has traditionally been devoted to fishing. The green valley full of coconut palms opens out into a blue bay across a beach of white sand.

Things To Do:

Cidade Velha - the old city of Praia
Located 15 km from the city of Praia, Cidade Velha was the home of the port where many slaves were traded along with other goods. With cobbled, narrow walkways and stone family cottages this scenic area is overshadowed by the remains of the old fortress and the former Cathedral. The S. Filipe fortress was built at the end of the 15th century and from here there are exceptional views over Cidade Velha and the coastline.

It is also worth visiting the local Catholic Church and taking a peaceful walk to admire the hillside vegetation. The grogue making equipment commands a photograph! Returning back to Praia, an informal visit to the first University of the Cape Verde Islands may be interesting.

National Maritime Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde Located in Praia, this museum of marine archaeology houses a display of treasure retrieved from the various shipwrecks around the archipelago of the Cape Verde Islands. Well worth a visit.

Address : Rua da Alfandega 3, Cha de Areia, Praia

Island Tours
A visit to the island of Santiago should include a trip by aluguer or jeep across the extensive mountain ranges to the small town of Vila do Tarrafal. En-route it is worth visiting the small market town of Assomada. The brightly coloured market has a traditional African atmosphere. Return via the coastal road giving you an opportunity to view the volcanic coastal scenery