Highlights of Cape Verde Holiday in 15 days

Arrive in Praia on the island of Santiago where you’ll be met by your driver and transferred to the Hotel Oasis Atlantico Praiamar in Praia for 3 nights.

A day of history and culture today with a full day out with one of our English speaking guides. Your first stop will be the oldest settlement in Cape Verde – Cidade Velha.

You’ll walk along the historic Rua Banana with its traditional African houses, then onto Nossa Senhora do Rosario church and of course a visit to the marble pillory post where slaves were tied and punished.

After lunch (included), there will be time to visit the fortress that overlooks the bay. You’ll then the busy capital of Praia and its colourful Sukopira market.

Today you’ll have another full day with our guide, who will take you on a tour of the island, including Assomada market and the Serra Malagueta Natural Park where you can talk a short walk.

After lunch (included), you’ll finish the day with a swim at the sandy beach in Tarrafal.

Today you’ll fly to Fogo island where you’ll be staying in the charming Colonial Guesthouse in Sao Filipe for three nights.

Depending on your time of arrival, you’ll have some free time to explore this pretty town with its cobbled streets, colonial architecture and sobrado style pastel-coloured houses.

After breakfast, you’ll go on a full day guided tour today to one of the highlights of the island – the village of Cha das Caldeiras – set within the imposing Fogo crater and the towering Pico de Fogo volcano (2829m) which only erupted in 2015.

You’ll be able to go for a walk along the road and through the lava fields and imagine what it was like being a villager as the lava flowed towards your home. Lunch is included today.

Today you have another full day out to see the rest of Fogo island, including the towns of Cova Figueira and Mosteiros. Then it’s on to Salinas to see its fascinating lava formations of arches, ledges and platforms. Lunch is included today.

Another inter-island flight today, via Santiago to Sao Vicente where on arrival you’ll be met by your driver.

You’ll be staying in the lovely Kira’s Boutique hotel in Mindelo for three nights. It’s within easy walking distance to lots of good restaurants and bars with live music so you can soak up the ‘vibe’.

Today we’ve included a three hour guided walking tour of Mindelo, the cultural capital of Cape Verde.  You’ll visit the fish market, the harbour, the old customs house, Estrela square with its permanent market stalls, the town hall and the presidential palace.

To finish off you’ll get the chance to see how guitars are made and hear them played in a guitar workshop owned by one of Mindelo’s best musicians.

This exhilarating day takes you off-road on a guided jeep tour along bumpy tracks to remote beaches and villages including Palha Carga, Calhau, Praia Grande, Baia Norte, Baia das Gatas (home to the island’s largest music festival) and Monte Verde (the islands highest point at 744m). Lunch is included

After an early breakfast, you’ll be taken to the ferry terminal for your one-hour crossing to the island of Santo Antao. You’ll be collected off the ferry by your guide and taken on a tour of the island.

You’ll be travelling along one of the most spectacular roads in the archipelago and stopping for a short walk to the picturesque village of Fontainhas before arriving at your mountain accommodation for the next three nights, Pedracin Village. Picnic is included.

Another Cape Verde highlight is a visit to the Paul Valley, the greenest valley in Cape Verde surrounded by towering ridges and intricate terraces. Your guide will walk you down ancient cobbled mule tracks passing through the stunning tropical vegetation of sugar cane, mango and dragon trees.

Depending on the time of the year, you will also visit a grogue distillery. A picnic is included.

This is a free day and return transfers to the fishing town of Ponta do Sol are included.

Today you’ll take the ferry back to Sao Vicente and then an inter-island flight to Sal. If there’s time between the ferry and the flight, you’ll have some extra free time in Mindelo while you wait.

On arrival on Sal, you’ll be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel for the next two nights, Hotel Morabeza – one of the best hotels in the islands.

Get your sea legs out this morning as you’ll be off on a half-day sailing trip. Make sure you take your swimming costume and look out for dolphins while you’re out! Drinks and snacks are included.

Free day until it’s time for your transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Kira’s Boutique Hotel is one of the most popular hotels in Cape Verde’s cultural capital, Mindelo.

It’s just a few metres from the city’s main square so is close to excellent restaurants, bars and music venues. Transformed from a traditional Portuguese townhouse, its elegant interior is enhanced using traditional stone, stylish furniture, pot plants and works of art.

Guests have the use of a lovely roof terrace with loungers and the all-important shade and great views of this lively city. There are eleven individually designed bedrooms each named after Cape Verdean islands and Cape Verde itself being the eleventh. Each is bright and modern and has a private bathroom, air conditioning, TV, minibar, internet and safe.

‘Morabeza’ is Portuguese for ‘hospitality’ and the Hotel Morabeza in Sal definitely lives up to its name.

It’s one of the best privately owned hotels in Cape Verde and one of our favourites. Owned by three generations of a Belgian family, it’s perfectly positioned on Santa Maria beach which is a hive of activity with diving and kitesurfing schools. It’s elegant and has excellent facilities including three swimming pools, a games room, two tennis courts, archery, mini-golf and petanque. Yoga is also available to guests and children’s activities are also organised by the staff.

Despite having 140 rooms it still retains a personal feel with attentive, multilingual management and long-serving staff. There are three excellent restaurants with one actually on the beach serving both Cape Verdean and international meals and child-friendly options. The popular first floor Tortue bar is a great place for a cocktail or two before dining and often there are local dancers and musicians performing in the evenings.

There are lots of different room options but all are very comfortable each with either a veranda with either a sea or garden view, satellite TV, air conditioning, minibar, safe, telephone, hairdryer, WiFi connection. Cots are available on request

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.

Colonial Guesthouse is located on the slope of São Filipe giving great views towards the ocean and over to neighbouring Brava on a clear day.

It is a fine example of a sobrado house dating back to 1883 and has been painstakingly restored to its former glory offering guests a high degree of comfort and ‘mod-cons’.

Attached is the Fogo Lounge restaurant, an excellent place to wind down after a busy day over an al fresco meals or a glass of Fogo’s famous wine on the terrace.

There are two courtyards within the guesthouse; the interior one has a small swimming pool to cool off in and the second one is planted to provide shade ideal for relaxing with a book. There is also a six-person jacuzzi and a massage service for an extra charge.

You’ll love breakfast as it makes full use of the island’s produce including fresh fruit, freshly baked bread, eggs, meat, local goats cheese and Fogo’s own coffee.

Colonial has nine rooms which are tastefully furnished and have satellite TV and a private bathroom. Please note that, although all the bathrooms are private, they aren’t all en-suite due to architectural constraints.