Cape Verde

Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, 460km west of Senegal, the Cape Verde Islands are a Volcanic Archipelago made up of 10 main islands and 5 smaller ones. 

The islands are divided into two groups: Windward and Leeward.

The Windward group is Boavista, Sal, Santo Antao, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente and Santa Luzia (uninhabited) while the Leeward group consists of Fogo, Brava, Maio and Santiago. 

The islands are full of contrasts; flat, barren and parched islands like Sal in the east to mountainous, cloud capped islands such as Santo Antao in the west. Black sand beaches, bleached-white beaches, high cliffs and mountainous peaks and desert plains interrupted by volcanic cones.

Since Tourism is a relatively recent arrival, you can still sample the real culture of the islands from the more European (Sao Vicente) to the more African (Santiago).

Culture

Cape Verdean culture is a true mix of European and African; an assimilation engendered during the Portuguese occupation.  Nowadays, the traces of 400 years of Portuguese influence can still be found in architecture, lifestyle and the arts, but elements of African culture, be it in music, literature or arts, are omnipresent too.

MUSIC

Traditional music is very popular on the islands and an important part of everyday life.
 Its roots are in Portugal, Brazil and Africa with three main types of music; Funana, Morna and Coladera. 
These differ not only in content, but also in rhythm and melody.

Mindelo, on Sao Vicente, is the centre of traditional music on the islands and there are some excellent bars there with live music playing regularly. 
For more modern music, Praia on Santiago is the place to go with Cape Verdean pop music playing on numerous stages.

 

CULINARY

The Cape Verde coast is rich with fish and seafood of various kinds, so these naturally make up a large part of the island’s cuisine. Especially popular are tuna, swordfish, moray eel, cuttlefish, mussels and shrimp which are a delicacy fried with onions or steamed in garlic.

Fried potatoes and rice are the standard side dishes and a simple but popular main course on the islands is Cachupa, a mixture of corn and beans with fish or meat. Many traditional meals include vegetable soups as a starter and fresh fruit or caramel cream as a dessert.

Beer, wine and local spirits are widely available including the famous Grogue, local sugar cane liquor often drunk with honey.

There are some excellent red and white wines being produced on the islands.

ACTIVITIES

 

   WHEN IS THE BEST TIME:

VG=Very good, G=Good, NI=Not Ideal

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Windsurfing

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Kitesurfing

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Diving

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Fishing

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Walking

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Biking

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How To Get There?

Flight connections from the UK are excellent with several direct flights a week operating from London and other regional airports.

TAP Air Portugal also operates daily flights via Lisbon to Sal and Santiago throughout the year and Navigator class is available on these flights.