1 Warm temperatures guaranteed!
With average daily highs of 31°C and lows of 25°C and 9 hours of sunshine, Cabo Verde is summer all year round. Between August and September, you can expect some rain, but even then the showers are very short. This warm and dry climate makes Cabo Verde an exotic, paradise-like vacation destination to relax.
Check the weather forecast for each island here:
2 Direct Flights from Europe
You can easily visit Cabo Verde with the many direct flights from major European cities. There are daily flights to Cape Verde from London, Paris, Luxembourg, Lisbon, Brussels, Düsseldorf, and Amsterdam. The average flight time is between 6 and 8 hours, depending on where the flight comes from and which island is your final destination.
Unfortunately, there are currently no direct flights from the United States to Cape Verde*. You’ll have to take a connecting flight via one of the European cities.
From the UK you can fly to Boa Vista and Sal almost every day.
You can fly from Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, and Londen.
If you are flying from Germany, you have the following airports to choose from: Hanover, Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, and Stuttgart.
You can fly directly from Brussels or Amsterdam to Boa Vista and Sal. In winter you can also fly from van Eindhoven to Sal.
3 Breathtaking beaches
If you love the beach, Cabo Verde is a “Must visit” destination!
The beaches of Sal and Boa Vista have long stretches of golden sand that are breathtaking. You can take long walks along the crystal blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Not every island has such tropical beaches. Some islands are more mountainous and have volcanic landscapes. But that’s the beauty of Cape Verde: Every island is different.
Some favorite beaches:
- Santa Maria Beach Sal
- Ponta Preta on Sal
- Praia de Chaves on Boa Vista
- Laginha beach in Mindelo, on São Vicente.
4 Watersports
The crystal clear waters and coral reefs, as well as the countless species of fish and plants, make Cabo Verde a perfect place for divers.
There are many diving opportunities in Cabo Verde to explore the different diving areas. If you don’t want to dive, snorkeling, paddle boarding or kayaking is also a great alternative to enjoy these incredible blue waters. Cave diving is also an option if you’re looking for a little more thrill. Scuba diving is a common tourist activity in Cabo Verde, and there are many quality services available.
For kite and windsurf enthusiasts, Cabo Verde is a perfect destination! Sal and Boa Vista are both known as a kite and windsurf paradise. The trade winds coming from the African mainland provide perfect conditions almost every day. Boa Vista has more favorable conditions and offers more different surf spots to head to.
Note that not every island is ideal for this type of activity, on some islands the sea conditions are just too dangerous. On some islands it’s also not advisable to swim in the sea.
5 WHALE AND TURTLE WATCHING
If you want to see humpback whales, the best time to do so is between March and May. The shallow and secluded bays of Boa Vista with their warm waters offer ideal conditions for raising their young. If you want to see these animals up close, you can book a boat trip with a locale guide.
Some research companies also offer whale watching tours. Often there is also a marine biologist on board the ship who explains more about the humpback whales and why they come to Boa Vista.
Go turtle watching with a guide!
Between July and October, endangered sea turtles come to the coast to find a nesting site for their eggs. They are always aware of their surroundings, and the slightest change in their environment can cause them to head back to the sea. This is one of the reasons why it is not allowed to go turtle watching on your own.
6 UNIQUE LANDSCAPES
The islands of Cabo Verde have many different landscapes, from long stretched beaches to magnificent mountains and towering volcanoes.
If you like hiking, there are many unique hiking opportunities that you should definitely visit on Santo Antão, São Nicolau and Fogo.
These islands will impress you with their green mountains and deep gorges. If you want to visit a volcano that is still active, you should go to Fogo, where you can explore the crater and enjoy the panoramic view from the top.
7 Unusual history & culture
Until 1456, when Portuguese navigators came upon these islands, they were uninhabited. Cabo Verde originally belonged to Portugal and gained its independence in 1975. For this reason, the population of Cabo Verde is a mixture of African and European heritage. When you visit the different islands, you will find that each of them has a different, distinctive flair. Discover the authentic Cape Verdean culture as well!
The Portuguese founded the present city of Cidade Velha on the southern coast of Santiago Island. Praia became the capital of the archipelago in 1770. In Praia you can visit the Presidential Palace, built in the 19th century for the Portuguese governor, and the Monumento de Diogo Gomes, a statue of the Portuguese explorer who discovered Santiago in 1460.
Using her Cabo Verdean roots as inspiration, a young artist aims to inspire others with her amazing paintings.
The official language in Cabo Verde is Portuguese, but you will rarely hear this in the streets. In the streets You will hear Creole, which is their national language
8 morna Music
This rhythmic genre of music and dance developed in the archipelago at an unspecified time in the 18th century. It is considered the national music of Cabo Verde. The lyrics are in Cabo Verde Creole and the instruments range from guitar to violin, accordion and piano.
The most famous Morna musician was Cesaria Evora, a singer nicknamed the “Barefoot Diva.” After her death in 2011, the local airport on Sao Vicente Island bears her name to honour her. Her powerful voice and flair for melody can still be heard in Mindelo, her birthplace, where Morna music emanates from the doors of bars and cafes.
9 The festivals!
There are some fantastic festivals in Cabo Verde during the summer months! You are welcome to join in the festivities, parades and music.
Some examples are:
- Sal’s - Santa Maria Festival
- São Vicente’s - Baia das Gatas Festival
- Boa Vista’s - Santa Isabel
Sal’s Santa Maria Festival/Municipality Day – 11 & 12 September – an annual music festival with live acts and lots of food and drink to enjoy.
São Vicente’s Baia das Gatas Festival – August Full Moon – a music festival featuring many local bands and artists.
Boa Vista’s Santa Isabel (Municipality Day) – 4 July – Celebrating the patron saint of the island, Saint Isabel, with processions, swimming, a public ball, and more.