Why do they say “One country, 10 destinations?”
Cape Verde is an archipelago of 10 islands located off the coast of Senegal. Its islands are known to offer a great diversity of landscapes for the delight of its visitors.
The 10 islands are divided into two distinct geographical areas:
In the south, the Sotavento Islands are composed of the following islands: Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava.To the north, we find the Barlavento Islands, which include Boa Vista, Sal, São Nicolau, São Vicente, Santo Antão and Santa Luzia.
Of these islands, 9 are inhabited and Santa Luzia is the only island that contains no inhabitants except for some magnificent endemic species.
The islands of Sotavento have 4 islands that represent a great diversity in terms of tourist attractions. Firstly, the island of Maio, where you will find beautiful beaches, such as those of Beach Rocha or Ribeira Dom João, but also beautiful coloured houses and welcoming and respectful inhabitants.
Then in Santiago, there are beautiful peaks like Serra Malagueta or Pico d'Antonia but also beautiful beaches like Tarrafal and Praia.
In Fogo, it is impossible not to mention the sumptuous Pico do Fogo which culminates at 2829 metres. The village of Cha das Caldeiras is worth a visit, the attachment of the inhabitants to the volcano and agriculture is remarkable.
Brava, the smallest island of Cape Verde, is worth the diversions, "the island of flowers" as it is nicknamed, gives us the impression of being at the end of the world. Brava is home to Faja d'Agua, a unique village in the world, as well as Vila Nova Sintra with its beautiful typical houses.
As for the northern islands, there are 6 of them and they are no exception to the rule of islands with their own specificities.
To begin with, Boa Vista is breathtaking. It has many assets: its beautiful beaches, the Viana desert, or its small colourful villages, especially Fundo Das Figueiras.
The island of Sal, is characterized by its desert landscapes, its Santa Maria beach will not take long to seduce you, without counting the fish and souvenir sellers on the Pontoon.
As for Sao Nicolau, although it is not well known, it has great potential with many assets such as the beach of Baixo Rocha or the natural park of Monte Gordo, which offers an unobstructed view of several islands of Cape Verde.
Sao Vicente stands out for its dynamism, it is the island that organises the Mindelo carnival every year but also the famous Baia das Gatas festival. Its Laginha beach is very photogenic thanks to an incredible shade of blue.
As far as Santo Antao is concerned, the island is famous for its hiking trails which make trekkers from all over the world happy. Among the classics, we find the hike of the Paul Valley, or the one from Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha. Its inhabitants are also known to be very hospitable.
Santa Luzia is the only island in Cape Verde that cannot be visited. The only way to get there is to volunteer to clean the beaches.
All in all, Cape Verde has an incredible diversity of landscapes and cultures that will help you understand why the tourist motto is: "One country, 10 destinations". If you are interested in visiting Cape Verde, we will be happy to assist you with your trip.
