Cape Verde Vacations
Undiscovered gem in the Atlantic
- Destinations
- Africa
- Cape Verde
Why Embark on a Cape Verde Tour?
The archipelago of the Cape Verde Islands awaits you in the Atlantic Ocean, some 350 miles west of the coast of the African state of Senegal. The islands inspire with a fascinating mix of African and European way of life as well as impressive hiking trails and mountain tours. During your Cape Verdean vacation, you can also look forward to idyllic beaches on the island of Sal and lively cities such as the island metropol Praia and Mindelo. In addition to this, you will enjoy extremely pleasant temperatures, almost uninterrupted sunshine and the warm hospitality of the local people.
Without a doubt Cape Verde is one of the most beautiful destinations in terms of white beaches, best climate and endless outdoor possibilities. For example, the islands of Santo Antao and Fogo are considered the classics for first-class hiking tours, while wind and kite surfers, on the other hand, are best off on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista.
What Can I Expect from a Cape Verde Vacation?
Pico do Fogo
On the island of Fogo, the island of fire in Cape Verde, the 9,000 feet high volcano Pico do Fogo awaits you. It is the highest elevation of the archipelago and still emits sulfur steam through hot fumaroles. From the "old" crater located to the west you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Pico. Take a walk through the black lava landscape, where even some vines grow. From the sweet grapes the unique Fogo wine is produced.
Viana Desert
On the island of Boa Vista there is a real desert about three miles long, the Viana Desert. From the African continent, large amounts of sand are continuously blown across, creating real dunes interspersed with volcanic rock. The almost surreal landscape invites you to go for a walk or a quad ride.
Forte Real de São Filipe
In the town of Cidade Velha, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the economic and political center of the Cape Verde Islands until the 18th century, lies the Forte Real Sao Filipe, from where you can enjoy a unique view of the sea and the small town itself. When the city was still called Ribeira Grande, it was mainly a transcontinental slave trade.
Viveiro Botanical Garden
The botanical garden Viveiro on the sandy island of Sal captivates with a colorful mix of palm trees, plants and shrubs typical for the country as well as a charming cactus garden. There is also a petting zoo with donkeys, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs. Stroll through the garden and marvel at the diverse plant world while enjoying a refreshing drink. Less
What You Can Experience on the Cape Verde Islands
If you want to dive into the unique, almost untouched water world, Sao Vicente and Santo Antao are the ideal starting point. However, the party and music scene is more than worth seeing, because music has an immense importance in the country. The Cape Verdean music reflects the most different styles, for example the Merengue from the Caribbean or the Samba from Brazil.
Its location in the Atlantic Ocean and its proximity to the African continent ensure that the ubiquitous trade winds always transport warm air from the Sahara and that there are 350 days of sunshine a year. Humidity is generally very low, and average temperatures vary between a pleasant 70-80°F. Rainfall is rather rare and the showers between April and November are short-lived. The best time to visit the Cape Verde Islands is from November to May. The temperatures are very pleasant then, especially for hiking vacations, and it is not too hot. Between August and October the Atlantic Ocean has the optimal water temperature of 75°F for a bathing vacation.
