Summary
Santiago is perfect for a family holiday, offering an enticing blend of culture, history, activity, and beaches.
Highlights
- A family experience in the melting-pot of culture that is Cape Verde
- Explore Santiago island from coast to mountains, cities to beaches.
- Swim and snorkel in the safety of Tarrafal bay.
The Details
Our one-week Cape Verde Family Holiday on Santiago combines culture with beaches, mountains, and activities. There are nine islands in the Cape Verde Archipelago but very few venture beyond the resorts and beaches of Sal and Boavista. Choosing Santiago means your children get to experience the real Cape Verde. It’s the most populated island and is one of the most culturally authentic, similarly to Sao Vicente.
We would recommend this holiday for children old enough to enjoy mountain walks, snorkelling, bartering at local markets, and a range of cultural highlights. We will arrange private transfers and guides for all excursions. You’re then free to focus on enjoying time with your children.
Your holiday starts in the capital city of Praia, home to most of Santiago’s residents. Your guide will take you on a tour of the city, to help you get acclimatised. On your second day, you will head to the south coast to explore Cape Verde’s oldest settlement Cidade Velha. A lovely valley walk leads to Ribeira Grande and the old town.
After your time in Praia, you head into the interior. You’ll find jagged mountain peaks and fertile valleys of manioc and banana. The island’s second largest city, Assomada, is built on a plateau between deeply cut valleys. It’s nestled below some of the island’s highest peaks. On a Saturday and Wednesday Assomada’s African market attracts a throng of locals and visitors alike. Here you can buy anything from chickens (alive or dead) to furniture, herbal remedies, and colourful spices. For children, it’s a fun way to learn about the island culture.
You will stay at the famously beautiful Tarrafal beach, where you can enjoy a beautiful beach in a sheltered bay. Its perfect for swimming and snorkelling and is an ideal base for families. Your hotel will provide snorkels, or you can visit the dive school to arrange some scuba lessons. We’ll also arrange a private boat tour to some nearby caves for more snorkelling, and a BBQ with freshly caught fish.
Suggested Itinerary
Arrive into Santiago in Cape Verde. A private transfer will meet you at the airport and take you to the Pestana Hotel in Praia, where you will spend two nights. If you like music, you may want to book at table at the Quintal da Musica, a popular restaurant which has live music every night.
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be taken on a half-day orientation tour of Praia city on foot. Praia feels more African than anywhere else on the islands. You can start at the main square on the Plateau and walk among some imposing buildings, like the Catholic Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and the statue of Diogo Gomes which overlooks the sea. Walk through colourful and bustling Sukopira market, a place full of merchandise and curiosities. Your guide will recommend good places for you to have lunch, then your afternoon is free. You could relax on the beaches near your hotel, or perhaps visit the Sala Museu, where your children can learn about Amilcar Cabral's contribution in the fight for freedom in the post-colonial years. It’s a small but culturally very significant museum and includes some personal possessions of Amilcar’s, such as his hats.
After breakfast, you will be picked up by your guide and will tour the oldest settlement in Cape Verde - Cidade Velha. There is a beautiful valley walk that leads down to Ribeira Grande, through fertile ribeiras and sugar cane fields. The path is reasonably steep at the start but is easy after this, and you can set the pace. Where the valley meets the coast, your guide will take you on a historical stroll through Rua Banana, the Nossa Senhora do Rosario church and the Pelourinho (pillory), and finally to the fort which overlooks the bay. This is a walk and history lesson rolled into one! If you prefer not to do the walk, your guide can drive you to Cidade Velha directly. Lunch is included today. You return to Praia for a second night.
Today you leave the capital and head out to the golden sands at Tarrafal Beach. On the way, your guide will take you on a guided tour of the island, including a visit to Assoumada market. You will then be dropped off at the Kingfisher Village, which is situated right on the gold sands of Tarrafal Beach. Lunch is included today.
We have left today free for you to relax and explore. The hotel can provide you with snorkels if you fancy a swim in the bay, and they have bikes for hire if you want to cycle along the tarmacked cycle paths here.
Today you are collected from your hotel and taken to the Serra Malagueta Mountain range. The views are simply breath-taking. If you enjoy walking, we would recommend a guided walk and can arrange any length of day that suits you. For a more relaxing option, you can simply take in the views at a range of view points. A packed lunch will be provided.
Today a transfer will collect your from your hotel and take you Ponta Rincao to the start of your private boat excursion to the Agua Belas Caves. As well as exploring these popular sea caves, you can also snorkel from the boat, and from the beach where you have your BBQ Lunch. You will stop for lunch somewhere along the coastline, enjoying flame-grilled fish that have been freshly caught. Snorkels are provided for this excursion.
After breakfast, you will be transferred back to Praia in time for your flight home
Suggested places to stay
Gallery
From £2,450 per person
Price included
The price is based on four people sharing a twin and double room, activities as described and includes flights from the UK.
For a personalised itinerary and full list of what's included, please get in touch.
