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Holidays to Cape Verde are an ideal island combo of sweeping beaches, wild watersports and local party life.
African archipelago
This archipelago floats in the North Atlantic, about 300 miles off the west coast of Africa. It was originally discovered by explorers from Portugal, so you’ll find a fusion of inspiration here that packs in Portuguese, Creole and even Brazilian influences. Cape Verde – or Cabo Verde to say it the official Portuguese way – is made up of 10 islands, with sunny weather all year round. Whichever island you pick, you’ll find long, sandy beaches ready for surfing, and modern hotels serving international flavours.
A tale of two islands
When it comes to getaways to Cape Verde, you’ve got a pair of big-name islands to pick from – Sal and Boa Vista. Boa Vista is home to 55 kilometres of beaches, and if you’re getting your Insta filters at the ready, no need. Most have only gone and got stunning white sands with tropical turquoise seas. The best beach of the lot is Santa Monica, which, unlike its Californian counterpart, is pretty much untouched. Sal, meanwhile, ticks most of the same boxes but is the smaller – and more popular – of the pair. Plus, the colourful town of Santa Maria rolls out a hotel-lined, golden strip of sand and is the party hotspot of the island for making the most of that long-haul escape.
Love for live music
Spotify is for the plane only – Cape Verde holidays are all about the music, covering all kinds of local and international genres. You’ll hear funaná – an upbeat tune usually played on an accordion – to embrace the local party vibe. And, at the other end of the scale, you’ll find the morna. It’s a more dramatic piece of music and dancers tend to sway to the beat in a rumba-style.
Best resorts in Cape Verde
Boa Vista’s got those desert-island feels, with rolling sand dunes and amazing watersports on offer. Sal Rei’s the biggest town and while it’s smaller than Sal’s Santa Maria, its bright pastel houses, weekly markets and beachfront restaurants create a buzzing vibe.
Sal’s a smaller island but the most popular. The centre has Pedra de Lume – a salt lake that’s saltier than the Dead Sea. Zoom across the sand on quad bikes or kite surfing is a fave, hence Kite Beach. Santa Maria is the star town, where beach bars and restaurants stretch for eight kilometres along its white sand.
Top Cape Verde holiday deals
TUI SUNEO Dunas
Birmingham - 7 Nights - All Inclusive
Based on 2 Adults - 9 May 2025
Odjo D'Agua Hotel
Birmingham - 7 Nights - Bed and Breakfast
Based on 2 Adults - 29 April 2025
Riu Funana
Manchester - 7 Nights - All Inclusive
Based on 2 Adults - 7 May 2025
Hotel Riu Touareg
London Gatwick - 7 Nights - All Inclusive
Based on 2 Adults - 1 April 2025
Melia Tortuga Beach Resort and Spa
Birmingham - 7 Nights - All Inclusive
Based on 2 Adults - 29 April 2025
TUI BLUE Cabo Verde
Manchester - 7 Nights - All Inclusive
Based on 2 Adults - 7 May 2025
Hotel Morabeza
Bristol - 7 Nights - Bed and Breakfast
Based on 2 Adults - 26 April 2025
Melia Dunas Beach Resort and Spa
Manchester - 7 Nights - All Inclusive
Based on 2 Adults - 31 March 2025
Riu Karamboa
Manchester - 7 Nights - All Inclusive
Based on 2 Adults - 31 March 2025
Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort
Glasgow - 7 Nights - Bed and Breakfast
Based on 2 Adults - 28 March 2025
Why pick Cape Verde holidays
Desert-island vibes
Under the sea
Buzzing towns
Turn it up
Your guide to Cape Verde
You might see a bit of a pattern emerging – soft white sand, clear blue waters… but that’s pretty much the story of all the beaches in Cape Verde.
- Santa Maria, Sal – Known for its long stretch of white sand and crystal-clear waters, popular for watersports like windsurfing and kite surfing.
- Santa Monica Beach, Boa Vista – Often considered one of the best beaches in Cape Verde, boasting a long, untouched shoreline with soft white sand.
- Praia de Chaves, Boa Vista – Known for its consistent waves, ideal for both beginner and experienced surfers.
- Ponta Preta Beach, Sal – Famous for its powerful waves, attracting surf seekers from around the world.
While surfers will love the windy conditions and big swell in some parts, there are plenty more sheltered and shallow options for young families, too.
- Praia de Atalanta, Boa Vista – Quiet beach with shipwreck remains on the sand that are made for a game of hide and seek or playing pirates.
- Lagoa Beach, Sal – A calm and shallow beach perfect for families and snorkelling.
- Sal Rei Beach, Boa Vista – Located near a lagoon, with still waters and beautiful views.
- Santa Maria Beach, Sal – It’s one of the most popular beaches because the waters are so calm and loved by paddleboarders.
With internal flights and ferries, it’s possible to check out the other islands in Cape Verde – you can find black-sand beaches beyond Boa Vista and Sal.
- Praia Da Ribeira Das Pratas, Santiago – Take a daytrip over to Santiago Island to visit this black-sand beauty. Ribeira Das Pratas means ‘River of Silver’, reflecting the dramatic cliffs and lush landscape of this island’s national park. The marine life also attracts lots of snorkelers.
- Sao Filipe, Fogo – The island of Fogo has the highest volcano in Cape Verde and below the cliffs of the town of Sao Filipe is a long black-sand beach – its sand is said to have a healing effect. The current can be strong here, so make sure to ask the locals where it’s safe to swim.
Creole, Portuguese, African and Brazilian cuisines have all come together to create traditional Cape Verdean dishes.
- Cachupa – This hearty stew is a mix of corn, beans, and lots of colourful veggies like carrots, green bananas and sweet potatoes, as well as usually a fish or meat. It’s the national dish here, so everyone has their own take.
- Canja de Galinha – Picture a rich broth, loaded with veggies and seasoned to perfection with garlic, onions and bay leaves.
- Lagosta grelhada – Grilled lobster. A delicious seafood delicacy that is a must-try for fresh fish lovers.
- Pastel – These deep-fried pastries are stuffed with all sorts of tasty fillings like tuna, chicken, spiced meat, cheese or veggies.
- Caldo de Peixe – This fish soup is a true taste of the sea, packed with fresh fish, veggies, herbs and spices.
- Feijoada – Another popular stew that’s full of beans, tender pork or beef, and vegetables, usually served with a side of fluffy rice to soak up all the sauce.
Cape Verde’s known for producing a lot of its own delicacies from scratch, and the real stars come in liquid form.
- Grogue – A strong alcoholic drink locally made from sugar cane. It comes in brown or white, like rum, and is used in loads of cocktails.
- Cape Verde caipirinha – A Brazilian-inspired cocktail made with grogue, cane sugar and lime.
- Fogo coffee – The volcanic soil here produces really high-quality coffee that’s shipped all over the world.
- Fogo wine – Grapes are also grown in the volcanic soil to produce red, white and rosé wines. It’s available everywhere under the label ‘Chã’.
We’ve narrowed down some of the most popular places to eat out in Cape Verde.
- Bowlavista – This place in Sal Rei on Boa Vista is a farm to table concept, where you can build your own bowl or order off the menu. It even has its own shop to buy their jams and chutneys.
- Ponta Preta – A laidback café on a sandy beach that’s known for seafood and its pizzas. It’s a bit of a walk from the centre of Sal’s Santa Maria but well worth it for the fish curry.
- Barracuda restaurant – You can dine with your feet in the sand here on Santa Maria beach, and they serve ‘green’ lobster, paella, cataplana and suckling pig. There are a few veggie options but the homemade goat’s cheese from Fogo is yum.
- Fashion Beach Club – Obviously, it’s a stylish one. To the east of Santa Maria, this restaurant serves Mediterranean and Asian food.
- Soul Kitchen – A small, intimate restaurant above La Villa Bar & Restaurant on the beachfront, so popular you’ll want to make a reservation.
Cape Verde doesn’t just sit there and look pretty, there are loads of watersports on offer for an active adventure, too.
- Scuba diving – Dive into the dreamy underwater world of Sal, where volcanic landscapes meet crystal-clear waters – it’s the ultimate playground for scuba enthusiasts. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, there are plenty of PADI courses available. Glide through silent rock tunnels, navigate old wrecks and drift over reef walls, all bustling with marine life, including trumpet fish and barracuda.
- Windsurfing – Cape Verde is the place to windsurf. The islands are right in the trade winds belt and winter winds range from a steady Force 4 to Force 5, so national teams can’t resist coming over for some epic slalom runs. Head to Tortuga Beach – it’s so good that even top windsurfer Francois Guy couldn’t resist setting up shop there.
- Kayaking – A bit more relaxing and beginner-friendly than the wind sports and diving – anyone can padel a kayak. You can rent your own, or one that fits two to explore together.
Build out your break and book trips, tours and tickets on First Choice Experiences to see more of Cape Verde.
- Pedra de Lume salt mines – Soak up the laidback vibes of Palmeira fishing village and discover the desert mirage sands of Terra Boa and the Buracona lagoon on a 4×4 adventure. You can even float out in the salt lake of Pedra de Lume on the crater of an extinct volcano.
- Hike Mount Fogo – Mount Fogo is the top spot in Cape Verde at 2,829m, so get your hiking boots on and trek to the summit for the best views. The journey there and back takes around 6 hours, but trust us, it’s worth every step.
- Wildlife watching around Boa Vista – See native turtles nesting on the beach, go birdwatching, snorkelling or take a cruise out to sea. If you visit in the right season, there’ll be whale watching tours, too.
- Cidade Velha – Visit Cape Verde’s oldest settlement on the island of Santiago, which is a UNESCO heritage site. It was a port involved in the slave trade and an important stop for explorers, Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama.
- Santa Maria Market – Stroll through the resort’s lively open-air market to browse traditional crafts, like coconut shell carvings, bongo drums and African masks. The cobblestone streets of the town also feature cool surf shops and local finds.
- Viana Desert – Ride through the rolling dunes and endless stretches of sandy paradise through the Viana Desert and surrounding villages. You can pick from 4×4 and quad bike safaris, even sandboarding experiences.
The nightlife in Cape Verde is all about traditional live music and dancing.
- Buddy bar – A pub in the main square in Santa Maria that puts on live music.
- Disco Pirata – A pirate-themed club that’s open until the early hours in Santa Maria.
- Quintal da Musica – A restaurant with live music from local artists in Praia on Santiago.
- Morabeza Beach Club – On Estoril Beach on Boa Vista with sunset parties and reggae nights.
- Kriola Karaoke Bar – In Santa Maria, you can belt out your favourite classics or cheer on everyone else.
Cape Verde is made up of multiple islands, and the quickest way to travel between them is by plane. Cabo Verde Airlines and Binter Cabo Verde are the main domestic airlines and major islands like Sal, Santiago, Boa Vista and São Vicente have airports with regular flights connecting them.
Taxis are widely available on most islands and are an easy way to get between towns and cities. There are standard taxis and shared taxis (aluguer) – shared taxis are cheaper and follow set routes. But you should always agree on a fare before starting your journey, as meters are not always used.
Minibuses are known locally as ‘Hiace’ and are the locals’ pick of transport, as they’re so affordable. They operate on fixed routes and are commonly found in urban areas, they just don’t always run on a strict schedule.
Ferries are a popular and scenic way to travel between the islands, especially for shorter distances. Companies like CV Interilhas operate regular routes between major islands – common ones include Praia (Santiago) to Mindelo (São Vicente), and Mindelo (São Vicente) to Porto Novo (Santo Antão).
Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and rental services can be found at airports and major towns. A valid driving license and a credit card are usually required. Also, roads can vary in quality, so make sure you’re comfortable with local driving conditions.
For shorter distances or a more eco-friendly option, why not rent a bike or scooter? They’re available in most tourist areas and larger towns and are ideal for islands like Sal and Boa Vista, which are pretty flat.
Why we love Cape Verde
Here are some top tips from our team…
Popular holiday types
With beach swims and sunbathing on the cards every day, take it to the ultimate level and add unlimited food and drink to that. There’s no need to worry about spending money when everything’s already included.
Cape Verde’s got loads of beachfront resorts with family-friendly facilities and protected swimming spots, especially on Sal. The sands are huge, so there’s enough space for everyone and you can even pick places that have kids’ clubs.
If you simply can’t wait, why not go ASAP? Sometimes it pays to go last-minute – we’ve always got new deals and offers popping up. Cape Verde is toasty all year round, so there’s no reason not to take a look.
Island life and luxury just go together. Of course, Cape Verde has an impressive line-up of five-star stays that come with those all-important swim-up suites, bars and spas. Big hotel brands like Riu, Melia and TUI BLUE are all over it.
Cape Verde FAQs
Direct flights from London to the islands of Boa Vista and Sal are around six hours.
The currency of Cape Verde is the Cape Verdean Escudo but it’s important to know that this is a closed currency, which means you can only buy it in Cape Verde – you can’t take it in or out of the country. We recommend you bring euros, which are widely accepted in tourist areas and some places do only accept cash. You can withdraw Escudos with your travel money card when you get there, too.
You can enter Cape Verde as a visitor for up to 30 days without a visa, but you do have to pay an airport tax. This costs €31 per person and how you pay it will depend on the type of holiday you book with us. Please check our Cape Verde airport tax page before you go.
Your passport must have at least six months validity from the date you arrive, and you must fill in a traveller entry form at least five days before you arrive. You can find more info at https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cape-verde.
The dry season in Cape Verde is between November and June, when the weather is hot and sunny and rainfall is minimal – temperatures get up to the high 20s. That said, the tropical climate stays bright all year, with July and August being the wettest months.
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Cape Verde travel advice
Passports and Visas
If you are on a TUI Package Holiday, Cape Verde Airport Tax is included in the price of your package holiday. It’s essential that you register your details with us at least 7 days before you travel so that we can pay the airport tax on your behalf. To register your details go to https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/cape-verde-airport-tax-registration
Important: If you do not register your details, you will be required to pay €31 per person upon arrival to passport control.
If you are on a TUI flight only booking you’ll need to pay an Airport Tax to enter the Cape Verde Islands. Airport Tax can be paid in cash at passport control at a cost of approximately 31€ per person or, to pay on line go to https://www.ease.gov.cv/. For a small fee, you can apply through our visa and travel authorisation partner – Sherpa.
Please note, if you booked your holiday within 7 days of departure, you will have to pay at the airport however, if you contact your TUI hotel representative providing the immigration receipt, they will refund this to you.
Please note, your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Cape Verde. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cape-verde.
Health and safety
If you have specific medical needs, you need to consider whether the health care system in the destination you’re looking at is likely to be able to meet those needs if you have any problems while you’re away. Consider things like the country’s state of development, level of infrastructure and its size and location. For the latest information in respect of health, safety and provision of medical facilities visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cape-verde/health.
You should take out suitable health and medical insurance to cover you while you are in your destination.
Please note, there may be strong currents and waves in Cape Verde. We advise customers to always follow the flag warning system on the public beaches.
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