Summary
Immerse yourself in the cultural, historical and scenic highlights of Santiago, enjoying markets, secluded bays, mountain walks or viewpoints, old settlements, and city sites
Highlights
- Tour Santiago with local guides on private day trips tailored for you.
- Stay on the south coast at Praia city.
- Journey to Tarrafal bay via the famous, colourful, bustling market of Assomada.
The Details
Perhaps the best way to experience the authentic Cape Verde is to explore the island of Santiago. Half of Cape Verdeans live on Santiago and half of them live in the city of Praia, capital of Cape Verde. This bustling and vibrant city is built over several plateaus and is very pretty. Whilst in Praia, you will spend three nights at the Hotel Atlantico Praiamar, a modern clifftop hotel. From here, you will enjoy a guided tour of the city’s highlights, including a visit to cathedral and presidential palace, and time at Sukopira market. You will spend a day at Cidade Velha, the first European colonial outpost in the tropics and Cape Verde’s oldest settlement. This UNESCO World Heritage site stands as a testament to the dark past of slavery. During the 15th and 16th centuries Cape Verde was a strategically important location between Africa, the Americas, and Europe and slavery was a large part of this trade. Nowadays Cidade Velha’s reputation has changed and it’s evolved into a charming coastal village. You will visit the fort that overlooks the village, the churches, and the pelourinho -a 16th-century pillory used to punish slaves.
Heading off into the interior, you’ll be taken on a guided tour of the island on your way to the golden sands of Tarrafal beach. You’ll find jagged mountain peaks and fertile valleys of manioc and banana. Enjoy bartering for some fruit at the market is Assoumada, the island’s second largest city. 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. The city is built on a plateau between deeply cut valleys, and is nestled below some of the island’s highest peaks.
At the northern tip of Santiago, wonderful Tarrafal has the best sandy beaches of the island. Stay at the Oasis Tarrafal Alfandega Suites and enjoy a beach holiday away from the crowds. Tarrafal beach is in a sheltered bay, so is safe for swimming and snorkelling. This is the ideal base to relax or perhaps go out with the diving school. A guide will collect you for tour of the Serra Malagueta natural park. We can arrange for a guided day of walking, or you might prefer to visit some of the nicest viewpoints by car. The views are simply breath-taking.
Gallery
Suggested Itinerary
Depart Heathrow and fly via Lisbon to Santiago in Cape Verde. On arrival transfer to the Hotel Oasis Atlantico Praiamar where you will stay for three nights. This modern hotel is located on the clifftops of Praia, Cape Verde's capital.
Starting with a delicious breakfast buffet at the Oasis Praiamar, today you have a half day orientation tour of Praia city on foot. A quarter of Cape Verde's population lives here and 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.
After breakfast, you will be picked up by your guide and will tour to the oldest settlement in Cape Verde - Cidade Velha. Here the guide will take you on a historical stroll to Rua Banana, the Nossa Senhora do Rosario church and the Pelourinho (pillory). You visit the fort which overlooks the bay.
Your guide will take you on an in-depth tour of the island, including a visit to Assoumada market. You will then be dropped off at the Oasis Tarrafal Alfandega Suites, which is situated right on the gold sands of Tarrafal Beach.
This is a free day to enjoy Tarrafal. You can simply relax and go swimming and snorkelling in the turquois waters. Perhaps you might hire a bike and cycle along the tarmacked cycle paths here.
Today you are taken to the Sierra Malagueta Mountain range. The views are simply breathtaking. 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.
After breakfast, you will be transferred back again to Praia where you have another night at the Hotel Oasis Atlantico Praiamar. The rest of the day is free. 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.
Free day and use of a day room until it's time for your evening transfer to the airport. Fly home on an overnight flight.
Suggested places to stay
From £2,500 per person
Price included
The price is based on two people sharing a twin or a 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.
