THINGS TO DO IN SANTIAGO ISLAND, CAPE VERDE

Cape Verde is a wonderful 10-island archipelago country in West Africa. Facing the coastline of Senegal and The Gambia and about 1,500km south of the Spanish Canary island, Cape Verde is a vibrant mix of African, South American and European cultures. Santiago is Cape Verde’s biggest island and host the country’s capital city, Praia. Consequently, there’s lots of great things to do in Santiago Island Cape Verde. 

To help you prepare an ideal Santiago Cape Verde itinerary, this post summarizes the best places to visit in Santiago Island. And also includes the top beaches to explore, the nicest food to eat, and all the must-have experiences in Santiago Cape Verde. Keep it handy for an amazing trip to Cape Verde. An amazing island with a vibrant local life, history-filled UNECO World heritage Sites, and wonderful nature awaits you.

There’s tings to do in Santiago to keep travellers busy for days. However, if you are visiting on a day-trip from nearby islands such as Sal or Boa Vista or on a stop-over ahead of traveling to less accessible Cape Verdean islands, you can still discover the highlights of Santiago in a day. Just book a day tour around Santiago Island, rent a car, or negotiate a day ride with a local taxi driver.

Best historical and cultural things to do in Santiago Island Cape Verde

1. Discover Praia, the country’s capital

Praia, with 160,000 inhabitants, is Cape Verde’s largest and capital city. Consequently, as the main urban hub it hosts lots of tourist attractions in Cape Verde. 

This 17th century city and features a strong Portuguese influence and keeps beautiful colonial buildings. Therefore, things to do in Praia Cape Verde include wandering the Plateau neighbourhood exploring the Presidential Palace and nearby churches. 

Additionally, check out the market at Sucupira for fresh fruits, vegetables, clothes, and hand-made souvenirs. And the beaches of Quebra Canela and Prahina. The former offers the best restaurants and live Morna music shows in Praia. The latter features awesome views over the Martia Pia lighthouse and the sunset.

2. Wander through Cidade Velha

Cidade Velha, which means Old City, is the first European settlement south of the Sahara desert. The very first city Europeans built in the tropics. Consequently, exploring its remnants is one of the best things to do in Santiago Cape Verde. Plus it’s easily accessible from Praia. And there’s lots of guided tours to Cidade Velha to make the most of it. 

Built in the 16th century on a previously inhabited island, Cidade Velha is the birthplace of the Cape Verdean culture. And thus the perfect place to learn about it. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features cobbled streets, stone colonial-style houses, and Forte Real de Sao Felipe. This is an impressive fortress overlooking the city and the ocean. 

The city was also a major slave trade centre, like Stone Town in Zanzibar or Gore Island in Senegal. Therefore, it’s a great place to learn about this dark period of colonial power during your holidays in Cape Verde.

3. Shop at Assomada’s Market

Assomada is the second biggest town in Santiago island and it features its busier market. Every day is market day in Assomada, and visiting its many stalls is one of the best things to do in Cape Verde. Nevertheless, Tuesdays and Saturdays are the busiest days as vendors from all over the island come here to sell their goodies.

Most of its indoor market stalls sell fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, jams, meat, fish, and cheese. On the contrary, across the outdoor stalls you’ll find the best clothing, handicrafts, wood carvings, and souvenirs. 

Grab some cash, get those bargaining skills ready, and enjoy some local shopping in Assomada’s colorful market. This town of 15,000 inhabitants is also a great base for some hiking in the area, a halfway stop on the drive to Tarrafal, and a getaway to Polion Tree, meant to be the oldest tree in Africa. So make sure to include it on your Santiago island itinerary.

4. Visit the concentration Camp in Tarrafal

Tarrafal is the ultimate beach town to visit in Santiago island. Nevertheless, there’s much more than beaches to explore here. Among them, visiting Tarrafal’s concentration camp is one of the best historical and cultural things to do in Santiago Island Cape Verde. 

This is a prison built in 1933 by the Portuguese dictator Salazar to house political opponents. Although closed in 1954 due to international pressure, it was reopened in 1961 in the style of a WWII concentration camp to punish with forced labour Africans fighting colonial rule. Finally closed in 1975, when Cape Verde became independent, the place is now a museum showcasing the horrors of the past. 

One can now visit the cells and learn from the many photos, documents, and artifacts on display. Check their facebook page for opening hours, tours, and prices.

5. Learn about the Rabelados in Espinho Branco

The Rabelados are a Christian community living in a small village central Santiago island. They are called ‘the rebelled’ as they revolted against liturgical reforms introduced by the Catholic church around the 1940s and have isolated themselves from the rest of the local society ever since. 

Their point is to live as close to nature as possible, so their means of life are very basic. In their home village Espinho Branco they live out of agriculture, fishing and the sale of handicrafts. Therefore, visiting their communities to learn of their lifestyle and helping sustain it by purchasing hand-made goodies is one of the best historical and cultural things to do in Santiago Island Cape Verde.

If you can, visit on Saturday or Sunday to witness their unique religious ceremonies. Travellers are always welcome regardless of whether they come independently or with a guided tour.

Best fun and adventurous things to do in Santiago Island Cape Verde

6. Swim at Tarrafal Beach

Tarrafal town features the best beach in Santiago Island Cape Verde. Therefore, those who enjoy sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and chilling by the beach should add Tarrafal to their Santiago Island itinerary. The town is in the north of the island, about 1.5 hours from Praia and 40 minutes form Assomada. Consequently, it can be visited on a day trip or become your base during your holidays in Santiago Cape Verde.

Expect plenty of palm trees, soft sand and warm azure waters at Tarrafal beach. A place that’s never overcrowded and you’ll mostly share with local kids as it lacks the large resorts, sunbeds, and umbrellas so abundant in nearby islands such as Sal or Boa Vista. Nevertheless, there’s some beautiful restaurants and bars overlooking the ocean in the area, and we had some wonderful fish dishes in them. 

Those looking for an even more secluded place will find a black sand beach in nearby Reibeira das Pratas. It’s a great place to enjoy the sunset and spot Fogo island in the distance.

7. Climb to the top of the island at Pico da Antonia

Pico da Antonia, at 1,392 metres above sea level, is the highest peak in Santiago island. It stands within a national park 12km south of Assomada town. Despite being a mountain of volcanic origin, it’s surrounded by thick forests and inhabited by several bird species. 

If you are a hiking enthusiast, make sure to add climbing Pico da Antonia to your list of best things to do in Santiago Island Cape Verde. The whole trek takes about 6 hours and goes through mountain villages and tropical plantations. As some passages can be hard to find, those who’ve climbed it recommend hiring a local guide to avoid getting lost. Here you can book a hiking tour to Pico da Antonia.

8. Go hiking at Serra Malageta

Serra Malagueta, about 12km north of Assomada, is a large natural park featuring some of the best hiking trails in Santiago island Cape Verde. This volcanic mountain range of 774 hectareas hosts over 120 types of plants, and 20 kinds of birds, including plenty of endemic and threatened species. 

Among its stunning landscape of lush forests stands the peak of Serra Malagueta. At 1,064 metres above sea level, it’s the second highest mountain in Santiago and from its top one can oversee the nearby islands of Fogo and Maio. The hike isn’t difficult, yet to make the most of the natural park and learn about its flora, fauna, and life on nearby villages consider hiring a local guide.

9. Sample local cuisine

Trying local food is a must do in every country, and Cape Verde’s cuisine is among the ones that have surprised me the most after traveling to almost 70 countries. I might still be very ignorant, but I would have never expected an African nation to have fried chorizo, olives, and cured cheese among their national dishes! 

Yes, cachupa, Cape Verde’s national stew, is made out of beans, vegetables, and cured meats including chorizo. And it’s often served with wonderful sides of cheese and olives. Local restaurants also served delicious grilled meat, fresh fish, rice, and vegetables. The best food I’ve had in West Africa by far.

10. Attend a Morna concert

Morna is the traditional folk music from Cape Verde. It’s most famous artist is Cesarea Evora, a female singer from Mindelo, in Sao Vicente island in Cape Verde. Nevertheless, you won’t have to make it to her hometown to enjoy some great live morna music as there’s plenty of venues offering some across Praia city in Santiago island. 

Therefore, if you’d like to enjoy some nice food and drinks while discovering the local sounds of Cape Verde, check out the following places. Firstly, Cafe Sofia whose terrace always busy with expats was my favourite place in Praia’s Plateau. Secondly, the pub Quintal da Musica famous for its cozy atmosphere. And last but not least Suave Lounge, a restaurant and club with awesome views over the ocean.

Recap on the best things to do in Santiago Island Cape Verde

Santiago Island in Cape Verde makes a great holiday destination as it’s easily accessible via it’s international airport, well connected to all other Cape Verdean islands, and provides a wonderful insight into local culture while also featuring great cultural sites and amazing beaches.

If you are looking for vibrant cities and markets, historical fortresses, ancient traditions, and friendly people, make sure to add Santiago Island to your Cape Verde itinerary. Likewise, if you’d love to do some hiking, swim in pristine beaches, and savour local cuisine while listening to the best life music, Santiago Island in Cape Verde has you covered.

Make sure to check out these posts on the best things to do in Cape Verde and Things to do in Boa Vista Cape Verde for additional inside tips when preparing your trip to Cape Verde.

If you have any questions on them, leave a comment below. Or reach out to me directly via my Instagram and/or Tiktok pages. Always happy to share more about my own experience traveling to Cape Verde. Have a wonderful vacation in Cape Verde.