5 reasons to visit Cape Verde this winter!
Cape Verde is becoming one of the UK’s favourite spots for winter sun.
With its white-sand beaches, stunning mountain scenery and vibrant culture, it’s no wonder Cape Verde is becoming one of the UK’s favourite spots for winter sun.
This idyllic archipelago may be known for its winning combination of sun, sea and sand, but with ten islands to explore there’s plenty of room for adventure too. Here are five reasons to consider Cape Verde when planning your next winter break – and what not to miss while you’re there.
The beaches are divine
Powder-soft sand washed by turquoise sea, lined with swaying palm trees: the beaches in Cape Verde are paradise. Sal, the archipelago’s most popular island, is home to the gorgeous Santa Maria beach, where bustling bars, shops and restaurants offer a welcome break from the midday sun. Fancy a little more peace and quiet? On the island of Boa Vista, you’ll find unspoilt stretches of sand with barely a soul in sight to share them with.
There are adventures to be had
The archipelago’s volcanic landscape, mountain scenery and cultural cities make the islands an adventurer’s playground too.
Witness Fogo’s lunar-like landscape or immerse yourself in Santiago’s lush green valleys. If you’re looking for a more cultural experience, you’ll love the island of São Vicente with its buzzing musical scene. The higher winds during November and March make Cape Verde’s beaches a fantastic place to practice watersports too.
You could see turtles and whales
Cape Verde is home to some of the most important loggerhead turtle nesting sites in the world. On the island of Sal you can visit Project Diversity, a non-profit organisation that protects the turtles’ nesting sites and helps hatchlings make their way to the sea. Visit between July and December for the best chance of witnessing the tiny turtles’ journey.
The waters around Boa Vista are also a breeding ground for humpback whales, giving you the chance to book a catamaran tour to see these mighty mammals. Sightings are possible from late February through to May.
The festival fever is alive and kicking
Winter in Cape Verde brings with it a whole host of festivals and celebrations. Mindelo’s annual Carnival on the island of São Vicente is by far the archipelago’s most famous event. Held each year on Shrove Tuesday, the carnival sees the small Cape Verdean town come alive with live music, colourful costumes and dancing.
Taking its influence from Brazil’s Mardi Gras, the carnival officially lasts a week – but locals will tell you Carnival fever begins at the end of the previous year!
It’s the perfect place to go island-hopping
With each island offering its own unique flavour, why settle for just one? Imagine starting your holiday on the beach, followed by a couple of days spent drinking in mountain scenery, then the next morning you’re off to hike a volcano. If that sounds exciting, you’ll love an island-hopping holiday around Cape Verde.
Don’t miss a visit to the island of Santo Antão. A wonderland for hikers, it’s by far the greenest island in the archipelago.
“It’s the perfect place to go island-hopping”