10 Unskippable Things to Do in Cape Verde for Tourists

Cabo Verde, more popularly known as Cape Verde, isn't a famous tourist destination. It ends up offering a space to slow down, breathe easy, and take life as it comes. The Cape Verde archipelago is a part of the Atlantic Ocean close to West Africa. These islands blend traditions from Africa and the flavours of Portugal's history in their day-to-day life.

The top things to do in Cape Verde hold the potential to attract all kinds of travellers. Some might enjoy sandy beaches with endless sun, yet others chase rhythms, hikes, wildlife, and waves instead. Each island there gives off a different vibe, scenery, and character. There isn't a single Cape Verde holiday experience, but it differs with every tourist attraction in Cape Verde.

This guide checks out the best things to see in Cape Verde, from well-known sites to quiet island escapes. You will get a look at landscapes, local culture, and different islands, along with handy travel advice that makes Cape Verde unique.

1. Relax on the Beaches of Sal Island

High on the list of top things to do in Cape Verde, Sal often and justifiably becomes a visitor's first taste of the country. Tourists here enjoy for wide beaches, steady sunshine, and calm vibes. The Sal island is a perfect fit for anyone wishing for laid-back getaways and relaxed trips on their Cabo Verde holidays.

Santa Maria Beach is a tourist-favourite shoreline, thanks to its sky-blue water, oceanfront cafés, and easy access to multiple activities on the waves. Tourists can go swimming, try snorkelling, or simply chill out and embrace the slow rhythm of the islands.

The Sal Island stands as one of the top tourist attractions in Cape Verde, not just for cozy days on the beach, but also due to modern comforts nearby. If diving into waves excites you more than soaking up the sun on the beach, there are activities waiting for you too.

2. Explore the Lunar Landscapes of Boa Vista

Boa Vista feels wilder than Sal, even though they are geographically next to each other. Its wide dune fields, empty coastlines, and dry inland areas give it a strange, out-of-this-world vibe, making it one of the popular things to do in Cape Verde.

A top pick on Boa Vista? Joining a Cape Verde safari tour. This 4x4 ride takes visitors across sandy hills, weaving through old wreck sites before hitting ocean viewpoints. It gives you more than just tourist attractions in Cape Verde—you feel the island's scale and raw beauty.

Visitors checking out the things to do in Boa Vista, Cape Verde, often find it packed with wild landscapes and thrilling activities.

3. Climb to the Summit of Pico do Fogo

Towering over Fogo Island, the Pico do Fogo, Cape Verde's highest point, is one of the best things to do in Cape Verde. It rises sharply from flat land and creates a striking silhouette in the middle of the Atlantic.

Early morning hikes begin just after sunrise, moving across rugged lava landscapes toward the highest point. Though tough, this ascent works out fine for plenty of visitors, no extreme fitness needed. Views from the top? Absolutely unforgettable and undoubtedly some of the top tourist attractions in Cape Verde.

Furthermore, rolling across lava fields while weaving past farming towns adds flavour to the trip. If you are after excitement, this sticks in your mind way beyond when your Cape Verde holidays wrap up.

4. Wander the Historic Streets of Cidade Velha

Cidade Velha sits on Santiago Island, holding Cape Verde's oldest stories and a UNESCO label. Set up in the 15th century, it thrived as a port back when ships moved goods across the Atlantic.

The best things to do in Cape Verde's Cidade Velha are the Fortaleza Real de São Filipe for wide coastal views and the old colonial remains whispering tales of adventure, trade, and survival.

Going to Cidade Velha gives you a clear look at the history of the place while standing out as a top tourist attraction in Cape Verde.

5. Experience Music and Nightlife in Mindelo

Mindelo sits on São Vicente, the cultural heart of Cape Verde. Music defines this place, especially morna or coladeira, genres brought to the world by Cesária Évora. Nightlife in Mindelo stands out among the significant things to do in Cape Verde.

Music fills the streets almost every evening from bars and diners, making the streets seem cozy yet lively at once. Meanwhile, events like shows, gallery openings, or acts on sidewalks pop up and characterise the seasons.

Visitors who love local life will find Mindelo to be their top tourist attraction in Cape Verde, packed with rhythm and colour in tales and tourism.

6. Discover Santo Antão's Mountain Valleys

Santo Antão is the lushest island in Cape Verde, way more rugged than Sal or Boa Vista, which are flatter and covered in sand. Instead of dunes, you will find steep ravines cutting through the land. Farm plots climb up hillsides in steps, shaped by hand over time, and towering rock faces rise suddenly, giving the place a wild feel.

Hiking is one of the main things to do in Cape Verde's Santo Antão. Here, paths unveil green valleys and seaside bluffs. Thanks to milder weather and rich earth, the farms on this island thrive, and it becomes another eye-catching sight for tourists.

For those seeking nature-focused experiences, Santo Antão is among the best things to see in Cape Verde.

7. Go Whale Watching or Turtle Spotting

Cape Verde sits right on key travel paths for sea creatures, so its ocean is packed with wildlife. From February to May, humpbacks swim near the islands. Boa Vista and Sal are the ones who see them up close. Instead of sticking offshore, these whales often come within sight of land during their journey and become one of the best things to do in Boa Vista and Sal.

Sea turtles lay eggs on Cape Verde's shores, and local-led nighttime walks let tourists watch the rare phenomenon without disturbing it as it unfolds. Rules are put in place so these sea animals stay safe, and tourism doesn't impact the wildlife. These walks also count on the list of things to do in Cape Verde.

8. Explore Praia and Santiago Island

Praia shows how people on Santiago Island really live a life away from tourist spots. Wander through markets or past government offices, and you will see daily routines shaping the nation's pulse. Neighbourhoods unfold stories of culture, power, and sometimes struggle. Each street corner adds a layer to understanding Cape Verde's true rhythm. Though not for everyone, but still among the popular things to do in Cape Verde for tourists who love to experience the local life.

Small farms, hills, and seaside spots form some of the core tourist attractions in Cape Verde. Old ways of growing food and living together still thrive here. Tours led by locals make it easier to get around the island and learn the local tales and histories.

9. Try Local Food and Grogue

Local food always takes a spot on things to do in Cape Verde. Its food tells the story of its land and past. Cachupa is a common meal. It is prepared by being simmered over time with corn, beans, along with fish or meat, and many see it as one of the must-try dishes during your Cape Verde holidays.

Grogue, made from sugarcane right here, is a dish of significance, especially on Santo Antão. Visit tiny distilleries to know how it is continually crafted the old way.

10. Enjoy Water Sports and Atlantic Winds

Fueled by steady breezes, Cape Verde draws fans of wind-powered action. On Sal and Boa Vista, kitesurfing rules, while windsurfing follows close behind. Sailing also pulls crowds, and these activities are definitely some of the main tourist attractions in Cape Verde.

Fresh learners get training at solid spots, whereas seasoned players find perfect setups with wide water areas. Even tourists just passing by enjoy seeing bright kites floating above.

Water activities complete among the top things to do in Cape Verde, mixing outdoor fun with movement through natural waves.

Things to Do in Cape Verde and Modern Connectivity

In today's era, travel without internet or connectivity just doesn't cut it. Hotel bookings, navigation, payments, tickets, or even language translation for connecting with the locals are some of the regular things to do in Cape Verde, and these need internet. You can get Wi-Fi in hotels, but not on Cape Verde safaris or island beaches. A personal internet ensures you stay online and connected throughout your journey.

Local SIM options are often expensive, have limited data options, and require you to register your ID. It easily takes a few hours off your travel time. Instead, with an eSIM Africa or Africa SIM Card, you can easily stay connected throughout your Cape Verde holidays.

SimCorner offers you easy setup and flexible plans at affordable rates, making your travel easy, modern, and convenient. As SimCorner founder Shahzeb Shaikh explains, "Staying connected while travelling helps people navigate new environments and languages with confidence."

FAQs: Things to Do in Cape Verde

What are the things to do in Cape Verde if it is my first trip there?

The best things to do in Cape Verde include hanging out at Sal's beaches, diving into ocean adventures or taking part in the famous island safari. The best things to do in Boa Vista mean spotting humpback whales on the island shores, alongside seeing sea turtles lay eggs, which isn't something you see everywhere. Climbing up Pico do Fogo showcases standout panoramic views across all islands.

Is Cape Verde good for adventure travellers?

Definitely. Outdoor things to do in Cape Verde are filled with cool options. Climb Pico do Fogo or check out footpaths winding through Santo Antão's green ravines. Or when gusts roll in on Sal, grab a kite and hit the waves. Or over on Boa Vista, tag along with local guides for off-road Cape Verde safari rides to secret spots few see.

How many islands should you visit in Cape Verde?

Many visitors check out two or three islands as the top tourist attractions in Cape Verde. Pairing Sal with Santo Antão brings beach vibes plus cultural spots, and Boa Vista brings in the iconic Cape Verde safari among sand dunes. Pico do Fogo also stands out as a good visit among things to do in Cape Verde.

When's the top season to check out activities in Cape Verde?

Cape Verde stays cozy all year, though visiting from November to June works better. During this stretch, the temperatures feel just right while rain hardly shows up. That means more fun outdoors and plenty of things to do in Cape Verde. This season is perfect for walking trails or chilling on the sand. Water lovers also get smooth sailing thanks to steady waves and clear skies.

Do travellers need mobile data when visiting Cape Verde?

Yes, travellers do need mobile data when visiting Cape Verde. The SimCorner eSIM Africa or Africa SIM card keeps tourists connected for language translations, bookings, navigation, social media, and communications on the best local networks. It is a more affordable and convenient option to stay connected while exploring your top things to do in Cape Verde.