West Africa · Atlantic
Travel to Cape Verde: choosing the right islands
Cape Verde is not a single seaside destination. Each island has its own rhythm; choosing two islands compatible with the available duration often gives a better journey than a too dispersed route.
Visual illustration — scenes do not document the current conditions of the place.
Factual references
Cape Verde in practice
These benchmarks are used to identify the destination, read a motto and prepare contacts. They do not describe the entry conditions or the current security.
- Capital / institutional headquarters
- Praia
- Currency: code to be identified
- CVE · Cabo Verde Escudo
- Telephone code
- +238
- Geographical code
- CV
The borders listed below correspond to the neighbours in the Azatour catalogue; they do not constitute an exhaustive list of all neighbouring countries.
Codes and monetary names: SIX, maintenance agency ISO 4217. Comparison of the benchmark made on October 6, 2026; the conditions of payment are verified with the provider.
Source: GeoNames, CountryInfo, import of , CC BY 4.0 license. The specific institutional seats are specified; no demographic data or exchange rates are included.
A step to understand and organize
Cidade Velha: Maintaining a historic stage on Santiago
Cidade Velha, on Santiago Island, preserves remains and an urban fabric linked to the ancient Ribeira Grande. This stage brings a historical subject distinct from the other islands of the stay.
Source of the benchmark: UNESCO World Heritage Record. UNESCO DataHub Reference . This source documents the subject; access, tickets and transport must be confirmed separately.
The decision that changes this stage
Compare a visit during a stay on Santiago with the addition of an island link to reach it. Name the vestiges and expected entries, and measure the time after the transfer. A new island is relevant only if it leaves enough time for its main subject.
Three points to confirm before booking
- Liaison and base on Santiago
- Jackets and tours included
- Time after Island Transfer
Why go?
Experiences to be missed
Use these markers to compose a program adapted to your pace. Travel times, season and accommodation location count as much as the number of places visited.
Sal
A simple base for the beach and water activities. Compare the location of the accommodation with the desired beaches and services.
Santiago
The largest island connects city, history and landscapes; it deserves more than a technical stopover.
São Vicente and Santo Antão
Mindelo and the hiking valleys form a coherent duo, checking the sea crossing and the weather.
Route idea
A route to be adapted, not to be followed
This frame helps to visualize the pace of the journey. Keep margin for transfers, weather and unexpected discoveries.
- Days 1–4
First island
Choose Sal for the coast or Santiago for a more cultural route.
- Days 5–8
A second atmosphere
Add São Vicente and Santo Antão only if connections allow.
- End of stay
Return with margin
Avoid too tight an inter-island connection before international flight.
When to leave
Choose the right time
There is not a single ideal season: the best time depends on the areas visited, your activities and your tolerance to the influx or weather variations.
Dryer season
The walk and the beach remain to be compared according to wind and exposure.
Wetter period
Some valleys are greening, but the condition of the trails may change.
Year-round
Check the sea conditions, connections and temperatures of each island.
Before booking
Checks that avoid bad surprises
- Check the air or sea rotations before paying for the accommodation.
- For Santo Antão, choose a walking route adapted to your level.
- Add the cost of transfers between islands to the budget.
- Consult the official health information and formalities before departure.
The formalities and recommendations may change. Check them before departure and check local information to prepare visits.
Travel Reports — France DiplomacyCape Verde Tourism Institute
Frequently Asked Questions
Cape Verde: questions before departure
Which island chooses for the beach?
Sal and Boa Vista are often considered, but compare wind, location and activities to the planned dates.
Which island should you prefer to walk?
Santo Antão offers a variety of valleys and trails, with routes to organize from São Vicente.
How many islands in a week?
One or two are usually sufficient to limit transfer times.
Should we buy the connections before the hotels?
Yes if the itinerary depends on an inland flight or ferry; confirm the times and conditions before blocking non-modifiable nights.
Pursue as you please
Travel ideas around Cape Verde
These files compare several destinations according to the type of stay. They help to put this guide back in a wider choice.