100% customisable travel idea
From Island to Island, on Island Time The Different Faces of Cape Verde
São Vicente - Santo Antão - Santiago - Boa Vista
Small Country, Big Surprises
Your Trip
Experiencing a destination intimately and visiting extraordinary places away from the crowds does not mean sacrificing a certain level of comfort. This trip has been designed so that you can have peace of mind and enjoy every stage and every atmosphere. We have carefully selected charming accommodation, ideally located and offering warm hospitality. Private transfers, inter-island flights and ferry crossings are already booked. All you have to do is focus on what matters most: living, seeing, understanding and experiencing. To help you, we have added three highlights to your itinerary: visits to the cities of Mindelo and Cidade Velha, and a day of discoveries on Santo Antão. On all tours, you will be accompanied by a private guide. These excursions will give you time to observe, wander, and savour… to focus on the essence of the places, without missing any must-see attractions, and make sure the only surprises are good ones. And if you have any concerns or last-minute requests, you’ll have the contact details of our on-site concierge to assist you.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Flight to Lisbon, then to the island of São Vicente. You’ll have a private transfer to Mindelo and then check in for two nights in the heart of the archipelago’s cultural capital. Your guesthouse is both charming and expertly managed by Isabel, its owner. A little gem of tranquillity, calm and refinement. Guests appreciate the comfort of the rooms, the lovely décor steeped in Cape Verdean culture, and breakfast, best enjoyed in the peaceful setting of the inner terrace. At nightfall, we’ll head up to the rooftop terrace for a drink before setting out to explore the city, with its entertainment just a few steps away.
The hometown of the famous singer Cesária Évora, Mindelo is the cultural and musical capital of the island of São Vicente. Shaped by Portuguese and British influences, the city counts some beautiful 19th-century buildings among its treasures. Life moves at a relaxed pace here, lulled by the sea, lit by almost constant sunshine and enlivened by a blend of music that echoes on every street corner. Time stretches gently here, and that’s one of the city’s greatest treasures. Evening strolls along the seafront, facing the face-shaped mountain (Monte Cara) bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun, remind travellers that Mindelo Bay is ranked among the most beautiful in the world. On the agenda: The city reveals its treasures during a walk with a guide, who will take you through the markets, along some hidden alleys in the historic centre, and into workshops that showcase Cape Verdean art. An opportunity, in particular, to meet a craftsperson who makes musical instruments.
Private transfer to the port of Mindelo and ferry crossing (approx. 1 hour) to the port city of Porto Novo on the island of Santo Antão.
On your itinerary - A day exploring Santo Antão with a guide. Santo Antão is one of Cabo Verde’s most beautiful gems, with unspoilt landscapes that have, for the most part, eluded the wave of modernity that is sweeping across the country. It is also one of the poorest islands in the archipelago, whose main industry remains agriculture. Its high mountains block the wind and clouds, creating a more humid, cooler climate that is conducive to farming. Enjoy the opportunity to spend the day exploring. Visit the large historic town in the north of the island that lies at the crossroads of two long and beautiful valleys - the Ribeira de Coculi and the Ribeira da Torre - around the Ribeira Grande. The Ribeira do Paúl, which is best explored on foot, is one of Cabo Verde’s most stunning landscapes: A proud and magnificent agricultural valley, fragranced with the scent of sugar cane and dotted with beautiful colonial houses and numerous trapiches, the distilleries where local rum is still made to this day.
At the end of the day, you’ll settle in for two nights in a pleasant, family-sized house with plenty of attractive features, such as bright rooms and a lush garden, located just a stone’s throw from the port.
Once you get past the initial impression of an arid and inhospitable land, the island reveals its imposing mountains and lush green valleys cut off from the rest of the world. Ponta do Sol is a charming fishing village whose small port at the foot of the village is an absolute must see. Every day, it boasts a lively spectacle as the fishermen return through a passage with a symbolic name: boca da pistola (the mouth of the gun).
Optional - A short, private hike from Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas.
Private transfer to the port and ferry crossing to Mindelo. Then another private transfer to the same accommodation as during your first stay on the island, where you’ll find the same familiar comforts for the night.
Private transfer to the airport and a short flight to Praia (45 mins) on Santiago Island. Another private transfer and a two-night stay facing the ocean in a large hotel with a modern design that is reminiscent of certain features of Portuguese architecture. Inside, the décor is elegant and refined, with wood and warm tones throughout. The modern comfort of the rooms is a real plus, as is the large seawater swimming pool.
To see and do - The historic centre of Praia, known as the Plateau, with its colonial buildings, the African market of Sucupira, Rua da Banana - the oldest colonial street in the world - and the Church of the Rosary, which welcomed both Columbus and Vasco da Gama…
Santiago is the island where the first city, Ribeira Grande - later renamed Cidade Velha - was established, and where both the first church and fortress were built. It is an island born from a blend of the first Portuguese settlers and the first slaves brought from the continent, where languages mixed to form Creole, and cultures merged to give rise to new musical rhythms and unique traditions inspired by the old.
On your itinerary - A private tour of Cidade Velha. Accompanied by a guide, this half-day tour is an opportunity to discover the city, its fort, the Church of the Rosary - which welcomed both Columbus and Vasco da Gama - and the oldest street in the colonial world, Rua da Banana (banana street).
Optional - A day trip around Santiago with a private guide.
Think you’ve seen everything Cabo Verde has to offer? Well, get ready to be amazed. This country is full of surprises - and islands! We first head to Boa Vista, halfway between the northern and southern islands of the archipelago. Then a private transfer to the airport and a short flight (45 mins) to Boa Vista. From there, another vehicle will round off the trip to your hotel for the next three nights. This attractive stone house is just a short walk from the beach and has a flower-filled patio where you can enjoy breakfast in peace, in the shade of a palm or banana tree. The perfect combination of comfort and charm.
Boa Vista, the third island in the archipelago, has a relatively flat terrain and barren, almost desert-like appearance, even though its vegetation is no less abundant than on its neighbour, Sal. Its sand dunes ripple as far as the eye can see, mirroring the powerful Atlantic Ocean like old neighbours who have lived side by side since time immemorial. Sand, naturally, means beaches and relaxation. A well-deserved break after ten-days of island hopping.
Optional - A day trip round Boa Vista with a private guide.
Private transfer to the airport and return flight via Lisbon.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Short hike on Santo Antão, from Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas
This short walk (about 1 hour and 30 minutes) takes you to the village of Fontainhas, with its pretty, colourful houses, terraced fields and one of the most beautiful views of the ocean.Optional - With a private guide
A Day on “African” Santiago
Discover this island starting with its lush, rugged interior, and the town of Assomada, whose market is laden with exotic fruit and vegetables. Next come the landscapes of Serra Malagueta Natural Park and Tarrafal, surely the best beach on Santiago, where you’ll have lunch before relaxing on the pale sand. Return by the coast road with a stop at Calheta São Miguel.Optional - With a private guide
Boa Vista, the jewel of Cape Verde
Boa Vista means “beautiful view” and the island certainly lives up to its promises. This day of discovery begins in Rabil, the former capital, where you can enjoy a pleasant stroll among the colourful houses and admire the Church of São Roque, the oldest in Cape Verde, built in colonial style with its elegantly painted blue and white façade. A canyon opens to the east of the village, leading to a small oasis where palm trees strive to make space for themselves amidst the large dunes. In fact, the north-west of Boa Vista is covered in an actual desert - the Viana Desert - formed by ocean winds that transport sand from the African continent. Continue to the beach for a snack with the fishermen and a dip in the sea before lunchOptional - With a private guide
Add a few more days to visit the Island of Fogo
West of Santiago Island, Fogo is mainly known for its volcano, which stands majestically in the centre of the island. Pico do Fogo rises to over 2,800 metres (9,180 feet) above sea level and remains the only active volcano in the archipelago. The most experienced hikers will set out to conquer this giant, setting off from the Caldera to reach the summit at dawn. On its slopes, Fogo wine is grown - the only wine currently produced in the Cape Verde archipelago. The island’s capital, São Filipe, is without a doubt the best-preserved town in the country and is well worth a visit for its colonial architecture. This island captivates with its giant, impressive nature that is certainly one of the most striking sights in the archipelago.
Why visit Cape Verde with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Cape Verde
- Globally unique concierge service
- Wi-Fi: 1 GB/day included
- Adjust your trip while travelling
- CO2 absorption
