Population
571,752 inhabitants
capital
Praia
Language
Portuguese
currency
Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)
Flight time
5 hours and 33 minutes from the UK
time difference
UTC/GMT +1 hours
best time to go
Nov-Jun

Introducing Cape Verde

With its pristine beaches, constant sunshine, and incredible wildlife encounters, Cape Verde holidays provide a spectacular holiday experience without travelling to far flung destinations. This unique island archipelago is Africa’s equivalent to the Caribbean and is only easily accessible from the UK. There aren’t many destinations that serve up as much variety, from its interesting blend of civilizations to the green and volcanic scenery. The area of Sal typically emerges as the winning resort due to its amazing coastline, whereas Boa Vista is frequently preferred by families because of its selection of Blue Flag beaches.
You won’t run out of things to do on your Cape Verde holidays, whether you want to unwind by the beach, take in the lively music scene, or try out the thrilling water sports.

Location

The temperate and volcanic islands of Cape Verde are located in the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy pleasant weather throughout the year. Off the coast of Senegal, the former Portuguese colony is located roughly 460 kilometres away (Africa). The archipelago is a part of Macaronesia, along with the Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira. There are 12 islands in the Cape Verde archipelago, although only 9 are inhabited. The upper wind islands are found in the north, and the lower wind islands are found in the south. Because the islands are so different from one another, they are each truly spectacular. Each island has unique characteristics that make it ideal for pursuits like surfing, climbing, or relaxing on stunning beaches.

Weather

The greatest time to travel to Cape Verde is between November and June, when you can take advantage of the islands’ famed white sandy beaches. There is very little rain, and the temperatures range from the mid- to upper twenties. Additionally, because of Cape Verde’s breeze, comparable to the Canaries, the heat won’t feel oppressive. Discover the local markets, trek into the mountains, and enjoy the crystal-clear waters and Caribbean-like beaches by travelling to Cape Verde in November or December.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Cape Verde has been influenced over the years by its Portuguese origin, as well as Creole and African flavours. As the islands are surrounded by sea, its seafood is particularly significant to its main dishes. The national dish of the archipelago is cachupa. This rich, slow-cooked stew, which is a variety of feijoada, is made with beans, corn, vegetables, and either fish or meat. It frequently comes with rice. Additionally, soups like Canjo, a nourishing chicken soup with rice, onions, and carrots, is popular with locals and travellers.

History and Culture

For its geographical position, Cape Verde’s history is both conventional and distinctive. During the Spanish-Portuguese Inquisition, the islands served as a location for the transatlantic slave trade, an asylum for political prisoners of Portugal, and a haven for Jews and other victims of religious oppression for three centuries. The Portuguese, who discovered Cape Verde, characterised the islands as “totally deserted” upon their arrival in 1456. Since Islamic merchants controlled the Trans-Saharan trade of gold and slaves to the north and salt to the south, the Portuguese sought to establish new trade routes, merchandise, and geographic expertise. Slavery was ultimately outlawed on Cape Verde in 1878 following a slave uprising in 1853 that was violently put down. Since then, the area has been farmed using the sharecropping system, which is still common in Cape Verdean agriculture.

On July 5, 1975, the Republic of Cabo Verde proclaimed its independence.

Family

Children love visiting the Cape Verde islands. Expansive sandy beaches, swimming activities in hotel pools, and kid’s activities all feature in a typical Cape Verdean family vacation. Magnificent beaches and experiences like horseback riding, turtle spotting, and volcano exploring are guaranteed to provide enthralling and unforgettable stories for family and friends back home.

Cape Verde dazzles as a wonderful archipelago of islands beaming with stunning sandy beaches, exciting and diverse landscapes and quaint seaside villages.

Top Locations in Cape Verde

Visit Santa Maria
Santa Maria, on the island of Sal, is a vibrant and fascinating area to spend a few hours exploring and lapping up a true Cape Verdean experience that would otherwise be lost on travellers who decide to spend their entire trip on the beach.
Volcano Hike
For those who enjoy being active, the island of Fogo is ideal. Put on your walking boots and take your hiking poles. On the island, there are several enjoyable hikes to try, but one of the greatest has to be trudging through the Cha das Caldeiras to the spooky ruins of Pico do Fogo.
Sal island diving
Visitors who want to experience Cape Verde underwater world have a variety of diving and snorkelling opportunities. On the island of Sal, where various options present themselves from Santa Maria Beach, you can go on an underwater exploration to see the spectacular aquatic wonders.
Hike through Serra Malagueta Natural Park
Beginning at the summit of the second-highest hill on the island, the hiking path meanders through woodlands and past small farms where mango and bananas are grown. Keep a watch for some local fauna, such as vervet monkeys and Cape Verde buzzards.
Explore Praia’s Sucupira Market
Fully immerse yourself in the vibrant West African culture and learn about real Cape Verdean culture. The Sucupira market offers a variety of products, including local musical instruments, traditional clothing, handbags, and fresh produce like fruits and vegetables. This is not only a fantastic location for Cape Verdean souvenir buying, but it's also the ideal spot for sampling delectable street food from the country.

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