Cape Verde: Volcanic Islands of Music and Surf

Why Visit Cape Verde?

This Atlantic archipelago off West Africa's coast blends Portuguese-African Creole culture, world-class surf and windsurf breaks, and volcanic island landscapes ranging from lush valleys to stark desert dunes.

Top Attractions

1. Pico do Fogo

An active volcano on Fogo island, climbable for sweeping views over its own crater and vineyards.

2. Santa Maria Beach, Sal

A long white-sand beach renowned for windsurfing, kitesurfing and diving.

3. Cidade Velha

A UNESCO-listed former Portuguese colonial capital on Santiago, the first European settlement in the tropics.

4. Santo Antão Valleys

Dramatic terraced valleys and hiking trails through the archipelago's most mountainous island.

5. Mindelo

São Vicente's colourful colonial port city, birthplace of Cape Verdean morna music and Cesária Évora.

Unmissable Experiences

Fogo Volcano Hike

Climb an active volcano and stay in a village built inside its crater.

Windsurfing in Santa Maria

Ride the Atlantic trade winds on some of the world's best windsurf breaks.

Santo Antão Valley Trekking

Hike terraced hillsides and dramatic ridgelines between fishing villages.

Morna Music Night in Mindelo

Experience Cape Verde's soulful national music genre live.

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More information about Cape Verde

Cape Verde is an archipelago of ten volcanic islands roughly 600 kilometres off the West African coast, settled by Portuguese colonists in the 15th century.

Its Creole culture blends African and Portuguese influences, most famously expressed through morna, the melancholic national music style popularised worldwide by singer Cesária Évora.

Each island has a distinct character, from the desert-like dunes of Sal and Boa Vista to the lush, mountainous terrain of Santo Antão.

Steady Atlantic trade winds make Cape Verde one of the world's top windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations, particularly around Sal island.

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