Cape Verde Islands Holidays

Cape Verde Islands at a glance

Situated just off the west coast of Senegal on the African Continent, this dazzling stretch of small islands make up the jewel that is called Cabo Verde in Portuguese. Known as the volcanic islands, this strange bittersweet amalgam of people and music has made Cape Verde famous through its singers such as Cesária Évora and her haunting and mournful Portuguese melodies known as mornos.

There is a vast ocean that separates the West Coast and Cape Verde as well as a cool current. This cool current keeps temperatures moderate, making Cape Verde Islands holidays very pleasant ones indeed. The population is exuberantly warm to foreigners and will also go out of their way to welcome you on their doorstep. Afflicted with droughts, these islands are sometimes dry, forcing farmers to make terraced hillsides to use water more economically. You will find a typical Cape Verdean preserving every grain of corn, every bean and every drop of rain as precious.

The island does however have a remarkable profusion of landscapes, from the barren flats at Maio to the abundant valleys of Santo Antão. Then there is Fogo which is a single volcanic peak whose slopes are streaked with rivers of frozen lava. There are many possibilities when you holiday in the Cape Verde Islands. Many people head for Sal and Boa because of their magnificent beaches, the incredible hiking excursions, the die-hard windsurfing and the deep-sea angler excursions available. Alternatively, take in some mornos music to delight the senses while you savour some of the fresh seafood offered in one of their many restaurants.

Main Holiday Destinations
These Islands comprise of ten main islands and eight smaller islets. Fly to Portugal and within 4 hours from Lisbon you will touch down on Sal Island. Once you arrive, you will quickly realise that you have too much to do in the available time. The islands are generally well developed, but some are still uninhabited as there is not really anything to see. The nightlife is based on traditional live music and lots of dance. You cannot miss the locals play their sad music on guitars and violins. If it is pulsating music you are after, then there are a few night clubs in a number of big hotels, but some dive bars sell beer and rum as well.

A Diverse Place to Truly Enjoy Yourself
An adrenaline rush is seeing the volcano situated on Fogo, which means “fire” in Portuguese and is called Pico de Fogo by the locals. It rises up 2,839m above sea level and the cone is said to be one of the finest in the world. The summit offers stunning views - one should preferably go on an organised tour because the volcano is occasionally active (the most recent eruption happening in 1995).

Santo Antao offers spectacular landscapes and is ideal for trekking excursions. The island boasts a vast mountain range offering diverse flora, fertile forests and rugged coastlines. The island has several marked trails, but you can hire a guide should you prefer more in-depth information as you go along.

There is abundant sea life and the dramatic volcanic seabed has its own set of caves, canyons and massive rock formations. There are plenty of shipwrecks to explore and you cannot miss the chance to learn to dive in the clear waters of Santa Maria.

Vacation to Appeal All
Holidays on Cape Verde Islands will appeal to both the young and the old, to adventurous youth who want to do water sports and explore the volcano and to those who want a slower pace and simply drink in the beauty of its beaches. It also offers shopping opportunities on many of the islands, where you can linger the whole day and bargain for that priceless painting. A Cape Verde Islands holiday is packed with variety, excitement and fun for everyone.


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