Best of Cape Verde walking holiday in 15 days

Depart the UK and fly via Lisbon to Praia on the island of Santiago in Cape Verde. On arrival, you will be met by your driver and a representative and taken to your hotel where you will for 2 nights.

As you’ll have arrived in the early hours, we have left the morning free. In the afternoon you’ll be picked up by your English-speaking guide and taken on a city tour of the capital Praia and to the bustling Sukopira market.

In the morning you’ll be picked up by the same guide who’ll take you on a 3hr walk from Calabaceira to Cape Verde’s oldest settlement – Cidade Velha, nowadays a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll be walking through a canyon passing palm trees and sugar cane fields and may visit a grogue distillery (seasonal).

After the walk and lunch (included) there will be time to visit Cidade Velha. You’ll then be taken to Rui Vaz where you stay for the next two nights.

It’s an early start today as you’ll be walking to the highest peak on the island – Pico d’Antonia (1392m). Depending on your walking experience your guide will take you up the most suitable route.

You’ll need to be a confident walker as there will be some scrambling and loose rock. The walk can take up to six hours. Lunch is included.

You will be taken back to the airport and fly to Fogo, where on arrival you will be met by your driver and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the lovely little town of Sao Filipe.

Meet your guide after breakfast and drive up to Cha das Caldeiras where you will be doing some walking in the crater. Lunch and dinner are included today, and you will be staying overnight in the crater.

There is no light pollution when you’re staying in the crater, so make sure you go outside before you go to bed to do some stargazing.

You’ll need to get up at dawn this morning. From the casa, it’s only a short walk to the start of the climb, but it’s a challenging trek to the top of Pico do Fogo (altogether 4 to 6hrs) and we recommend you bring your own walking poles and gaiters for the scree running (more like fine volcanic ash) on the descent.

Also make sure you pack a hat, gloves and a windproof jacket, as it can be cold in the morning when you first set off. Lunch is included.

Today you’ll fly via Santiago to the island of Sao Vicente. You’ll be spending two nights in Mindelo, a place popular for its music and culture. Your hotel is within walking distance of many restaurants, where in the evenings, local musicians may perform live.

In the morning you’ll be picked up by your guide for the walk to Sao Vicente’s highest peak Monte Verde (744m). There won’t be much shade on this walk, so please make sure you bring a hat, sun cream and plenty of water and snacks with you.

After the walk (around 4hrs) you’ll be transferred back to the hotel and have the rest of the day free.

You’ll be picked up by your driver after a very early breakfast and taken to the ferry port for your crossing to the island of Santo Antao. On arrival, another guide will meet you and you’ll be taken to the start of your walk – Cova Crater.

From here you descend into the beautiful Paul Valley (4 to 5 hrs). The cobbled path can be very steep at times, so do bring your poles as it can be hard on your knees. At the end of the walk, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in another valley, where you’ll stay for 3 nights. Lunch is included.

Another morning and a different valley. This time you’ll be transferred to the Cha das Pedras valley and after an ascend to the ridge – you can see it winding down. It’s all the way down again to your hotel. Lunch is included.

Your guide will pick you up in the morning and take you to yet another valley, but this time you’ll follow the dramatic Atlantic Coast from Cruzinha to the small fishing town of Ponta do Sol. There are a few steep sections along this route, especially at the end when you get to the pretty mountain village of Fontainhas, high above a deep Ribeira.

At the end of the walk (4 to 6 hrs), you can spend some time in Ponta do Sol, before you get transferred back to your hotel. Lunch is included.

It’s going to be a long day, as you’ll be transferred to the western part of the island. The last bit on the road to the start of the walk is off-road and can be a bit bumpy.

You’ll be in for a real treat, especially when it’s a clear day, as you’ll be able to see some of the other islands and the walk will have more of an alpine feel to it, that the previous walks you have done. Glowing hills, with some high cliffs and no real paths up to the top of Tope de Coroa (1979m).

At the end of the walk, you’ll be driven back to your hotel in Porto Novo where you’ll stay for one night. Lunch is included.

Catch the ferry back to Sao Vicente in the morning. You’ll be met by your driver and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.

After a leisurely breakfast, it’s time for your transfer to the airport. Fly home via Lisbon.

Quinta da Montanha is not an upmarket hotel, but its location – sitting right on the edge of a ridge – is ideal for walkers.

An excellent base for walks in the surrounding mountains, this Quinta has a total of twenty eight simple but comfortable en-suite rooms, in the main house and newer rooms can be found in the annex. Some of the rooms come with a balcony.

You will always take your evening meal in the hotel as due to its remote setting, you won’t be near other restaurants. Meals are simple and often buffet-style.

There are a few walks that you can do from the hotel, and as these are not signposted we recommend using local guides. Also, don’t forget to bring some warm clothing as the nights at altitude and in the mountains can be chilly.

The Residencial Savana on the island of Fogo is a lovely converted traditional Sobrado house with views of neighbouring Brava island.

Especially during the Bandeira de São Filipe (the flag festival), the hotel is in a prime location, because the well-known horse race starts right in front of the hotel.

The 16 rooms that are built around a courtyard and a small swimming pool all come A/C and television, whilst the slightly larger two suites at the front of the hotel have balconies and are the perfect spot to view the sunsets.

Other than a small breakfast room, the hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, but Pipi’s next door serves a fusion of Cape Verdean and Senegalese dishes.

There won’t be a place more magical than the Casa Marisa II in Cha das Caldeiras on the Cape Verdean island of Fogo.

Overlooked by Pico de Fogo, which erupted and completely destroyed the original building, it rose again from the ashes like a phoenix.

The owners Mustafa and Marisa were brave enough to re-built their hotel on the hot lava, which meant that wherever you walk on the grounds of the hotel, you can still feel the heat under your feet.

Nearly 6 years after the eruption the hotel is thriving again and other than the simple en-suite rooms, there are also funky Funkus, rondavel-like stone huts with a wooden open roof and seating area. There is WiFi in the dining room, but you have to pay to access it.

After a meal in the restaurant where they prepare some wholesome tasty meals prepared with local produce, it’s time to do some serious star-gazing.

The upmarket Santantao Art Resort in Porto Novo on the island of Santo Antao is the perfect base for a walking holiday if you want to explore the west of the island.

With Sao Vicente only a short ferry ride away, the hotel has an inviting large swimming pool with spacious and comfortable en-suite rooms and modern amenities. Some of the rooms have balconies that overlook the pool, others will have an ocean or mountain view.

There are two restaurants that serve a combination of Cape Verdean and international dishes.

The Hotel Oasis Atlantico Porto Grande is in a great position.

Set in the bustling main square of Mindelo just a few hundred metres from the seafront and within five minutes’ walk of a great choice of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Laginha, the town beach, is a short, ten-minute stroll to the east.

This modern hotel has two swimming pools including a children’s pool along with 24-hour reception, gym, evening entertainment, laundry, room service, WiFi (extra charge) and currency exchange.

There are 48 rooms and 2 Suites (some of which are interconnecting), all with air conditioning, satellite TV, hairdryer, phone, minibar and room safe. All the rooms have a balcony overlooking the main square or the swimming pool.

There are lots of restaurants in Mindelo to choose from but the closest is the Pérola do Atlântico Restaurant next to the hotel terrace which serves local cuisine and sophisticated Portuguese and international dishes. Light meals and drinks are provided on the Syrius terrace (summer only).

If you enjoy music, then you’ll love the Hotel Oasis Atlantico Porto Grande Lobby Bar on a terrace overlooking the square. If you enjoy dancing, then guests have free access to the Syrius disco within the hotel building and open Wednesdays to Sundays.

Pedracin Village is the perfect base for walkers or those looking for some relaxation by the pretty outdoor pool.

Located in a remote elevated position 10km from Ribeira Grande on Santo Antao island, it’s only one hour’s drive from the ferry.

It’s full of traditional character and style made up of chalet buildings of stone and thatch and it feels like a mountain retreat being surrounded by stunning jagged ridges and lovely walks.

Pedracin has 32 rooms in stone chalets scattered on different levels across the landscaped hotel grounds, each joined by cobbled paths. They are simply furnished and have private bathrooms although hot water can be intermittent. This isn’t usually too much of an inconvenience given the warm daytime temperatures. Rooms can sleep up to three guests (2 adults) and have air conditioning and heating.

There is a good restaurant at Pedracin serving all meals and dramatic views.

Set on a cliff top overlooking the ocean, the Hotel Oasis Atlantico Praiamar occupies a headland in Prainha, the capital city of Praia’s embassy district.

There are 123 rooms in total including four suites in low rise buildings and there is also a room adapted for those with limited mobility. All rooms have air conditioning, king size beds, satellite TV, safe, minibar and hairdryer and some rooms can be connected ideal for families.

Eating out at the hotel’s restaurant, you can choose from Cape Verdean, Portuguese and international cuisine or you can also eat at the Pool Bar which offers a lovely leisurely Sunday buffet, often accompanied by some live music. And before that, why not have a cocktail at the Panorama Bar with its wonderful sea views.

The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and a separate children’s pool which are open all year, and a sauna, jacuzzi, gym and tennis court. You can also book a relaxing massage (extra charge).

24-hour reception, laundry facilities, currency exchange and free WiFi are available. For business visitors, the hotel has conference facilities and equipment.