8 Days Cape Verde Tour – São Vicente & Santo Antão Islands Exploration

Arrive at Cesária Évora International Airport, São Vicente. Your driver-guide will transfer you to your hotel in Mindelo, a city known for its colonial charm and musical traditions. After check-in and a short rest, begin a guided walking tour of the historical city center.

You’ll explore Praça Nova, the old customs building, and the fish market by the port. Visit the replica of the Belém Tower and stop at a guitar workshop where traditional instruments are handcrafted. The tour continues along Avenida Marginal with views of the harbor and Monte Cara.

In the evening, enjoy a Cape Verdean dinner featuring grilled tuna, beans, and sweet potatoes, accompanied by live morna or coladeira music at a local venue.

Accommodation: Kira’s Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals: Dinner included
Activities: Walking tour, cultural heritage, live music

After breakfast, embark on a full-day island tour with your guide. Begin with a drive up Monte Verde, the highest point on São Vicente (774 m), for panoramic views across Mindelo, Laginha Beach, and the nearby islands.

Continue to Salamansa, a fishing village popular for its calm bay and kitesurfing scene. Then visit Baía das Gatas, where natural pools invite a refreshing swim. Lunch will be served in Calhau, a volcanic seaside village. You’ll explore its black sand beaches and observe the raw beauty of Cape Verde’s eastern coastline.

Return to Mindelo in the late afternoon. Evening at leisure or join a Cape Verdean cooking demonstration (optional).

Accommodation: Kira’s Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
Activities: Island scenic tour, local villages, beach stops

After an early breakfast, transfer to the port for a ferry crossing (1 hour) to Porto Novo, Santo Antão. Begin a guided drive along the Estrada da Corda, a cobblestone mountain road passing through eucalyptus groves and volcanic peaks.

Stop at the crater of Cova de Paúl (approx. 1,200 meters altitude), where you begin a downhill hike into the Paul Valley. This 2.5–3-hour walk winds through coffee plantations, breadfruit trees, and sugarcane fields, offering insight into traditional rural life.

Lunch is served at a family-run farm restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients. Afterward, transfer to your lodge nestled in the valley for rest.

Accommodation: Casa Maracuja or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Activities: Ferry, scenic drive, crater hike, valley walk

Spend the day exploring the lower Paul Valley. Begin with a visit to a grogue distillery, where you’ll see sugarcane pressed using oxen or waterwheels. Sample liquors and flavored spirits made on-site.

Walk through farmlands of manioc, taro, yam, and tropical fruit. Stop by waterfalls and natural springs along the way. Lunch is served at a terrace restaurant overlooking the valley floor.

In the afternoon, meet local artisans who produce natural jams, oils, and woven crafts. Return to your guesthouse for dinner and rest.

Accommodation: Casa Maracuja or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Activities: Local tastings, nature walk, cultural interaction

Today’s highlight is a dramatic coastal trek. After breakfast, transfer to Fontainhas, a clifftop village famous for its pastel-colored houses and striking sea views. From here, begin your hike (approx. 4 hours) along a paved trail that hugs the mountainside above the Atlantic.

The path winds through hamlets like Corvo and Formiguinhas, where children wave and donkeys carry water. Stop for a packed lunch midway and take time for photos and rest.

Reach Cruzinha, a fishing village at sea level, where your vehicle awaits. Return to Ponta do Sol or Ribeira Grande for the night.

Accommodation: Musica do Mar Guesthouse or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Activities: Guided coastal hike, village visits, cultural photos

Today’s focus is on the interior and northwest of Santo Antão. Begin with a visit to Ribeira Grande’s small museum and local market. Drive to the Delgadinho Ridge, a narrow mountain road offering 360° views of valleys and peaks.

Continue to the village of Lagoa, with lunch en route. Visit the agricultural cooperative of Coculi, where you’ll see how community farming operates. You can also meet women’s groups who produce herbal soaps and textiles.

In the afternoon, enjoy a short optional walk along Ribeira da Torre or return to relax at your guesthouse.

Accommodation: Musica do Mar Guesthouse or similar
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Activities: Market visit, scenic ridge drive, local crafts

After breakfast, take the ferry back to São Vicente. Transfer to your hotel in Mindelo for check-in. Spend the afternoon at Laginha Beach – perfect for a swim or cocktail by the sea. Alternatively, visit the Centro Nacional de Artesanato to shop for crafts and souvenirs.

Dinner is independent tonight, with options ranging from fresh grilled lobster to Cape Verdean stews at marina-front restaurants.

Accommodation: Kira’s Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
Activities: Ferry, beach relaxation, optional shopping

Enjoy your final morning in Mindelo with a visit to the municipal market or a last walk along the harbor. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time for a short stop at a local bakery for bolo de milho or papaya jam.

Your guide will ensure timely transfer to Cesária Évora International Airport for your departure.

Meals: Breakfast included
Activities: Morning market visit, transfer to airport