Santiago Cape Verde

About

Santiago Cape Verde is in the south of country. Santiago is Portuguese for ‘Saint James’ and it is home to half the nation’s population and to the capital city of Praia. The island was the first visited in 1460 and the original capital was called Ribeira Grande, but is now called Cidade Velha. Cidade Velha was the first city to be built by Europeans in West Africa. Sadly this former capital became very wealthy on the back of the slave trade. Praia is a transport hub with good links to all the islands in the Cape Verde archipelago. However, it has very few flight connections to other countries. Santiago has a bit of everything that you will find in Cape Verde. The busy city of Praia, lovely beaches, small towns and villages and majestic mountains. There are plenty of things to do on Santiago Cape Verde.

Beaches

The beaches of Santiago are varied and include beautiful white sand, black beaches and pebbly coves. If you are staying on Santiago, then a trip through the mountains to Tarrafal is a rewarding trip. Tarrafal is a pleasant town with a superb beach and small harbour. Just 6km from Tarrafal is the lovely black beach of Ribeira da Preta. If you are staying in Praia, then Prainha Beach just to the south of the city would be a good choice. Another beach in Praia is Quebra Canela beach. The Portuguese word for beach is praia. This can lead to confusion as this is also the name of the capital city.

Entertainment

Being the capital city Praia has a good selection of entertainment. There are a lot of bars and restaurants and many of the bars will have live music some nights. If wanting something a little more exciting there is a go-carting centre (CaboTune Carting) at the national stadium. In common with all the Cape Verde islands, there are festivals on Santiago. These include the Gamboa Music Festival, the Kriol Jazz Festival and some religious festivals on saints days. In June/July there is a festival called Tabanka, which commemorates the liberation of slaves.

Places to visit

The old capital of Cidade Velha is a UNESCO world heritage site and well worth a visit. Here Forte Real de São Filipe, the main slave trading point between Europe, Africa and America, provides an interesting insight into the island’s past. It is a lovely village on the coast, and attracts many visitors. Praia is a busy African city, but with a clear Mediterranean flavour. Plateau is the main shopping area, with an attractive pedestrianised area and some interesting colonial buildings. The second largest town on the island is Assomada. On Wednesday and Saturday there is an African market here, which attracts a lot of visitors and locals. At this market you can buy anything from animals such as chickens to items of furniture.

Geography

Santiago is the largest of the islands that make up the Cape Verde archipelago. It is in the south of the country, in the Sotavento group of islands. Two jagged mountain ranges dominate the centre of the island. The highest mountain peak is Pico d’Antónia, which reaches an impressive 1,394m (4,573ft) and is situated in the Serra Malagueta National Park. The drive from Praia to Tarrafal takes you through some majestic mountain scenery.

Travel to Santiago

Flights, ferries & more info:

There are a number of flights each week to the four international airports in Cape Verde. These airports are on the islands of Boa Vista, Sal, Santiago and São Vicente. You can fly to any of them and then use the local flights or ferries to connect with other islands. If you are staying on Santiago then it is better to fly direct, unless you wish to go island hopping. If you are travelling on to an island without an international airport, then Praia is probably the most useful airport to arrive into. All the airlines on this page fly to the Nelson Mandela International Airport in the city of Praia on the island of Santiago Cape Verde.

Flights

CVsky
Domestic
TAP
International
Cabo Verde Airlines
International
Azores Airlines
International
Air Senegal
International
Asky Airlines
International
Royal Air Maroc
International
Transavia
International
Luxair
International
EasyJet
International
Edelweiss
International

Ferries

Ferry
Inter-Island
Port
Praia

Info

Airport
Nelson Mandela
Visas
Required to enter
Tax
Tourist tax
News
The latest travel news

City flight connections

Click on the name of the city to show the Airlines and flight days. These should always be checked with the airlines, as schedules do change. Also, some routes only operate during the winter months and some don’t operate every week, or on varied days.

Last updated 27 May 2026

Lisbon

TAP – Daily

Cabo Verde Airlines – Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (days may vary)

Easyjet – Wednesday and Sunday

Dakar

Air Senegal – Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Asky Airlines – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

Bissau

Royal Air Maroc – Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday (Days vary, see Royal Air Maroc website)

Marseille

Transavia – Saturday (Winter only)

Recife

Cabo Verde Airlines – Wednesday/Thursday

Boston

Azores Airlines (via Ponta Delgada) – Thursday, Saturday and Sunday (days may vary)

Casablanca

Royal Air Maroc – Daily (Note: Some days the flights are via Bissau)

Lyon

Transavia – Sunday (Winter only)

Luxembourg

Luxair – Tuesday (Winter only)

Providence, Rhode Island

Cabo Verde Airlines – Friday

Ponta Delgada

Azores Airlines – Monday, Friday and Sunday (days sometimes vary)

Paris

Transavia – Monday, Wednesday and Friday (Winter only)

Cabo Verde Airlines – Thursday (winter only)

Porto

Easyjet – Wednesday and Sunday

TAP – Daily

Zurich

Edelweiss – Thursday via Sal (Winter only)

Local travel

The capital city Praia is located on the south of Santiago. Travel on this island is generally easier than on some of the other, smaller islands. Taxis are plentiful and less expensive than in much of Europe. We recommend agreeing the price before the journey. Aluguers operate between towns. These are shared minibuses, mainly used by local people, but are available to all. They are inexpensive, but often only run when the bus is full.

Car hire is great way to explore this island. This gives you the freedom to travel when and where you want to. Traveling from Praia through the mountains to Tarrafal and the north of the island is worthwhile. Our partners at Cabo Verde Rental Cars can help you find a suitable vehicle.

Activities on Santiago

Activity Provider – North

Strela Tours, Santiago Cape Verde

Based in Tarrafal on the north coast of the island of Santiago Cape Verde, Strela Tours can offer a number of activities including island tours, hiking, biking, diving and surfing. They also provide accommodation (more details below). The island tours will be for a small group, with a maximum of four people and will give the opportunity to visit the interesting and varied landscape to be found on this island. Places that will be visited include the Art Centre of Rabelados, a chance to taste the local rum (if being produced at the time), a local museum, the beautiful black beaches and the oldest tree in Cape Verde. Tours will include a stop for coffee and lunch. There is also a choice of hiking trips to choose from. Diving and snorkelling can be arranged from a boat, from a diving centre or along the coast. Surfing lessons can be arranged with one of the best surfers in Cape Verde, who speaks French and English. Other activities are provided and can be explored on their website.

Activity Provider – South

BU Country Tours, Praia, Santiago Cape Verde

Bu Country was founded by managing director Admilson Garcia and offers tours in Cape Verde. Our mission is to introduce our guests to the true essence of Cape Verdean culture and traditions. We provide an excellent service provided by young, dynamic staff, who are experts in the local tourism industry. On our tours you will see the country, meet Cape Verdean people, taste traditional cuisine and also try the wines.

We are in the capital city Praia on the southern end of the island of Santiago, therefore we are ideally located for visitors staying there. Tours on Santiago commence in Praia and can include a tour of Praia, and the island of Santiago. We can also offer tours on other islands too.

Activity – Scooters & Quads

Scooter & Quad

Scooter & Quad is a Cape Verdean company dedicated to scooter and quad bike rental and providing excursion services. The company was created in 2022 by promoters with relevant experience in the sector, who make available to their customers the know-how acquired during more than twenty years of activity in Cape Verde.

They provide quality services, with a fleet of new scooters and quads, refined logistics and pre- and post-sales customer service. With its own mechanical workshop, scooters and quad bikes are inspected daily so that customers can enjoy their experience safely. In Praia they currently offer rental services for tourist purposes of scooters (125cc, 300 cc and 400 cc) and quad 4×4 (520 cc).

Accommodation in Santiago

Casa Strela – North Santiago Cape Verde

Guest houses with sea views (a total of 6 rooms)

Tarrafal is a lovely little town on the north coast of Santiago Cape Verde and well worth a visit. The beaches are lovely and the drive from Praia in the south through the mountains to Tarrafal is beautiful.

Casa Strela is a rustic house with rooms tastefully decorated in local styles, but with the comfort expected by guest. The owners aim to make your stay an experience that you will remember, with comfortable beds, hot water and free WiFi. The roof terrace of Casa Strela provides a very pleasant area to relax and enjoy the warm sunshine and the views of the sea and this is where breakfast is served. They have a restaurant open in the evenings. The owners are seeking to achieve sustainable tourism, and use local shops and craftsmen whenever possible and pay good wages to their staff.

They can arrange tours and excursions, when the guests are often given the opportunity to meet local people and experience the culture and natural environment of Santiago Cape Verde. Activities in the area include water sports such as snorkelling, diving, fishing, surfing etc. They can offer packed lunches and there is a vending machine for drinks at any time of the day. Santiago offers a diverse topography and environment and a visit to the north of this island will be a worthwhile experience.

O Jardim do Vinho, Bed and Breakfast – South Santiago Cape Verde

Guest house in Praia (five double bedrooms)

Located in the Achada de Santo António district, Jardim do Vinho is only 15 minutes from Nelson Mandela International Airport. It is ideally situated in a peaceful quarter just a short walking distance from shops, the beach and the historical city centre. The Cape Verde capital hosts many events, such as festivals, congresses, sport contests, etc. At night, it is possible to eat while enjoying music next to the B&B, at the Plateau, or “Fogo d’Africa” at Tira Chapeu. Praia is also the most convenient starting point to travel around the island of Santiago Cape Verde or to the other islands of the Archipelago. Jardim do Vinho opening period is from 1st October to 31st August.

The accommodation comprises five comfortable bedrooms. Located in a popular and peaceful quarter, you will be in close contact with the Cape Verdean way of life. Surrounded by restaurants, you will be able to taste the traditional gastronomy. The quarter “Achada de Santo António” is an interesting mix between ministries, shops and restaurants. Close to the B&B, there are plenty of places to hang out: “Ka Tcheka”, the Kafé Musik of Praia is owned by Tcheka, one of the most famous musician from Cape Verde; churasqueiras “Benfica” and “Dragoeiro”; “A Grelha”, Portuguese specialising in grilled fish; and the ice-cream shop “Maravilhas”.

The jardim (patio) is the ideal place to find peace and serenity. A substantial traditional Cape Verde breakfast is served there in the morning. In the afternoon and evening, the patio becomes a cozy place to have a drink, a coffee or a grog, and to rest after a busy day. If you need food at different times (such as an early departure) this can be arranged. In addition, for your convenience, a fridge is at the disposal of all the guests in the B&B. Jardim do Vinho say “Minha casa é sua casa” (My house is your house) and this is they way they like to live.

Strela Mountain Lodge – North Santiago Cape Verde

Lodge in Serra Malagueta (seven double bedrooms)

The Strela Mountain Lodge in the Natural Park Serra Malagueta opened in January 2023. It is run by the same owner as Casa Strela B&B in Tarrafal Santiago. Six charming double rooms and the panorama room on the top floor are decorated in a rustic way with a lot of wood. Most of the rooms have a stunning view to the valley and the sea. The beautifully decorated restaurant opens every day for lunch and dinner. On cold days there is a chimney as found in Swiss Chalets. The Lodge is the perfect place for departure of several hiking trails. Five loop trails start and end up at the Lodge.