15 Unique Things To Do in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde

An Insider’s Guide to the best things to do in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde incl. hotels, restaurants, and tours

São Vicente is much more than Mindelo! Although 93 % of the island’s population lives in its capital, São Vicente has a lot to offer to its visitors. And if you need to disconnect from the city’s tumult and its almost infinite leisure options, an excursion to the countryside of São Vicente is exactly what you need! This guide will share with you the best things to do in Sao Vicente, Cabo Verde. After living on the island for about 2 months, I can’t wait to share my tips with you. In order to make the most of your time, check the Ultimate Cape Verde Travel Guide Book filled with local, hidden gems.

Best Hotels in Sao Vicente – Where to stay in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde

Budget

Solar Windelo ***

Arla Residential

Mid-range

Pousada B&B Le Gourmet

Flag Hotel Mindelo (Pombas Brancas) ****

Something special

Aquiles Eco Hotel

Pont’Agua Hotel ****

Luxury

Flag Hotel Foya Branca ****

Hotel Residencial GOA

Oasis Porto Grande ****

READ: Where to stay in Cape Verde – The Best Hotels in Cape Verde

1. Sundays in Calhau

Where to Stay: Hotel Residencial GOA

little fishing village on the east coast of São Vicente. It takes you 30 min. to get there from almost desert. Not many tourists get lost here, except maybe some surfers waiting for the perfect wave on Praia Grande. Calhau is aon the east coast of São Vicente. It takes you 30 min. to get there from Mindelo by aluguer (collective taxi, departing from Praca d’Estrela, 2 €). During the week, Calhau is. Not many tourists get lost here, except maybe some surfers waiting for the perfect wave on Praia Grande. excellent fish restaurants. The most famous ones are delicious seafood and fish barbecue. The baby octopus is amazing and the portions are huge! You’ll leave Restaurante Hamburg as a very happy person! But on Sundays, Calhau attracts many visitors due to its. The most famous ones are Restaurante Hamburg and Chez Loutcha Residencial Restaurant & Bar . Restaurante Hamburg is known all over the island for itsand. The baby octopus is amazing and the portions are huge! You’ll leave Restaurante Hamburg as a very happy person! Chez Loutcha Residencial Restaurant & Bar offers a traditional buffet and live Cape Verdean music on Sundays. A free transport departs at 12h30 at Chez Loutcha Residencial Restaurant & Bar on Praca d’Estrela in Mindelo and brings you back after lunch. For 18 €, you’ll have a Sunday brunch of a lifetime! In order to burn all these calories, I’d walk to Praia Grande (20 min). It has golden sand and the views on the bay and the mountains are stunning! Please, be careful if you go for a swim as the tides are very strong here!

2. Hiking to Monte Verde

It’s by far the best hiking trail of São Vicente! Monte Verde (Green Mountain) is the island’s highest mountain and lives up to its name! It’s one of the few places of São Vicente covered with lush green vegetation. You get there by aluguer (collective taxi) from Praca d’Estrela, Mindelo. The driver will drop you off on the road to Salamansa/Bahía das Gatas. Monte Verde is towering just in front of you. A paved road will take you up to its peak covered by antennas and parabolas. It’s an easy hike and it will take you about 2 hours to get there. From the top, you’ll have a great panorama view on São Vicente, Santo Antão, and Santa Luzia, and on very clear days, you can even see São Nicolau! For me, there’s no better way to disconnect from Mindelo‘s tumult! For those who still want to hike around, I can recommend Monte Cara (Face Hill). It got its name due to its lines resembling apparently the profile of George Washington. Check here the rates for guided hikes in Sao Vicente

3. Swimming and Dancing in Bahia das Gatas

Where to Stay: Hotel Residencial GOA

Baía das Gatas is known all over the Cape Verdean archipelago for its music festival. The most important names of the national music scene give concerts on a big stage next to the beach. The big event takes place in August and is transmitted directly on national TV. Nowadays, it’s one of the most important events of the Cape Verdean music business and a coveted platform for newcomers. Throughout the rest of the year, Baía das Gatas is partly deserted. The place is packed with holiday homes which are only inhabited during the weekends. However, Baía das Gatas holds a hidden gem: a green lagoon. It’s very likely that you’ll be all alone to enjoy the beauty of this place!

4. Watersports in Sao Pedro

Where to Stay: Flag Hotel Foya Branca ****

Sao Pedro is a great getaway from Mindelo (15 min by aluguer, 1 €). Its beach is simply enormous and almost empty! Sao Pedro preserved its fishing atmosphere, despite being literally at a stone’s throw from the airport. In the village’s center, you’ll see how the colorful boats are being repaired. On the beach, fishermen help each other to bring their boats to the shore. They’re often full of the freshest fish: buzio, garoupa (groupers), esmedregal cobia), and sometimes even tuna fish! Read here about the best beaches in Cape Verde Sao Pedro is famous for its perfect conditions for windsurfing. Boards can be rented at the station, but you better have some experience since the tides are very strong! I preferred to enjoy the peace and the views of the Flag Hotel Foya Branca ****. For hikers, I recommend to trek to the lighthouse of Sao Pedro. The views are just breathtaking! Check here the rates and reviews for surf lessons in Sao Vicente

5. Cinema and Caipirinhas

Mindelo has almost an infinite number of leisure options! Each night, you can assist at concerts in its numerous bars. My favorite is Livraria Nho Djunga where one of Cesaria Evora‘s guitarists gives frequent concerts. Casa da Morna, belonging to famous singer Tito Paris, has specialized in the traditional music style called “Morna”. Thursdays in Mindelo are my favorite ones! Each Thursday night, the Centro Cultural do Mindelo has its cinema night. The entrance is free and the movie is announced a few days in advance. All of them are in OV with Portuguese subtitles. A great way to improve your Portuguese! After the movie, you should go over to Elvis – Restobar. His kiwi and maracujá caipirinhas are famous all over town!

6. Shopping in Mindelo

The capital of Sao Vicente holds a few hidden spots to make great qualitative souvenir shopping. One of them is definitely CapVertDesign + Artesanato. The shop is worth a visit, even if you’re not looking for gifts. It gives a fantastic overview of traditional Cape Verdean crafts. Many young design talents use this shop as a platform to reach a foreign public. If you’re looking for CDs of Cape Verde’s most important stars, you’re in the right place! Just in front of the fish market (please do visit, even if the smell might hold you back for 1 sec.!), a local jewelry designer sells beautiful individual pieces made out of natural material like banana leaves, mussels, or pea-pods. Another great place to find local art and craft is Art d’Cretcheu inside the Centro Cultural do Mindelo. I also love to visit the fruit and vegetable market on Praca d’Estrela. On the end of the square, inside the tiny concrete barracks, you can order tailor-made clothes at the African seamstresses. I couldn’t resist and got myself a tailor-made dress and a lovely skirt. All at unbeatable prices! Book here your guided tour to discover the hidden gems of Mindelo, Sao Vicente

Sao Vicente Map With All Locations

Do you think that my list isn’t complete? Of course not! Sao Vicente offers so many things to do and I haven’t seen them all for sure! If you know about any other “must-do” on the island, please let me know in the comment form.

If you are looking for a place to stay on Sao Vicente, I recommend the Simabo’s Backpackers’ Hostel, run by the Association for Animal Protection in Mindelo. For more information about tourism on Sao Vicente, Cape Verde I recommend the following webpage: Tourism of Sao Vicente, Cape Verde.

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