What to do on São Vicente Island?

São Vicente Island

The Center of Cape Verdean Culture

São Vicente is the second most populous island in Cape Verde, right after Santiago. Mindelo is the main city on the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde. Its colonial-style buildings give the city a historic air, which is a pleasure to appreciate. In each place you can feel a bit of the country’s music: São Vicente is known to be the “home” of great Cape Verdean musicians.

Mindelo’s Carnaval is one of the best known in the world and its bay the perfect place for a traveler’s postcard photo. Here you can learn about some of the wonders that both the city and the island possess.

How to get to São Vicente Island?

São Vicente has an international airport, which allows you to get flights with fewer stopovers to the island, depending, of course, on which part of the world you are in. São Vicente also has frequent boat connections to Santo Antão, another Cape Verdean island.

How to obtain your visa for Cape Verde?

For more information on visas for Cape Verde, see https://travel.gov.cv/

How to get around São Vicente Island?

São Vicente has an urban center, which is Mindelo. From there you can get around by cab, hiace (a 9-seater van that works like a shared cab), or bus. You can also rent a vehicle to explore the island at your own pace.

What money do I need on the island of São Vicente?

The ideal is to have some cash in Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) since they may be needed, especially if your goal is to get out of the hotel.

What to bring to São Vicente Island?

• Sunblock
• Warm-weather clothing – but bring some more sweaters for the evenings and colder days.
• Comfortable shoes
• Camera
• Smartphone with GPS Map
• Cape Verdean Escudos
• Water to stay hydrated in the heat

What to visit in São Vicente Island?

The markets

São Vicente has some of the most fantastic markets in the archipelago. Its famous Fish Market, which in the morning receives that internationally known fresh fish from Cape Verde that the fishermen bring back after their day’s work. And the Mindelo Municipal Market, which is in a beautiful building, and has quality fish and fruits. Visit them.

Porto Grande Bay

The Porto Grande Bay in Mindelo is a beautiful place to visit. Viewed from the sea, the buildings that huddle near its shores, mixing the colonial and imposing buildings with the garish houses that have been built, give it a unique picturesque air.
Seen from above, the bay is beautiful and in the late afternoon, with the lights reflecting on the water, it is something worthy of a calling card.

Mindelo Cultural Center

With a room for exhibitions, which are presented with some frequency, and an auditorium for concerts, theater and other activities, the Cultural Center of Mindelo is beautiful, inside and out. Its old building is perfect for presenting the history of a people from an island that, despite being small, has an interesting cultural heritage, at various levels of art. With a patio where you can relax, this is one of the island’s must-sees. Visiting.

People’s Palace

With a century-old construction. XIX, originally built when the intention was to move the country’s capital from Santiago Island to São Vicente, and functioning as the former space of the Portuguese Governors, this Neoclassical style building has a beautiful architecture, perfect for lovers of old buildings. Inside you can appreciate Cape Verdean art and see a permanent exhibition dedicated exclusively to the barefoot diva and Cape Verdean musical icon, singer Cesária Évora, which has a museum nucleus in her name. This is a must-visit place, as is Mindelo’s cultural center, particularly for those who want to get to know Cape Verdean culture more closely.

Belem Tower in Mindelo – Museum of the Sea

This replica of the Tower of Belem, which can be found in Lisbon, Portugal, dates back to colonial times and is another of the beautiful buildings left by the Portuguese on the island. Today it functions as a Museum dedicated to the sea.

National Handicraft Center

If São Vicente is the Capital of Culture, it couldn’t miss a space dedicated to handcrafts. When you visit the Centro Nacional do Artesanato you can see pieces, which over time have been part of Cape Verde’s way of life, and appreciate the creativity and artistry of the artisans who made them.

Fortim d’Rei

Built in a strategic location on the island, the Fortim d’Rei is now a ruined site. Nevertheless, you can feel a bit of history when you are in it. And the area has a great view of the city, the bay, and in the distance, Santo Antão.

Dona Amélia Lighthouse

Located about 3km from Aldeia de São Pedro, visiting the Dona Amélia lighthouse requires walking a few kms along cliff paths. Isolated amidst the imposing rocks that characterize that part of the island, it has been guiding boats for more than 100 years. From the lighthouse, inaugurated in 1894 and preserved over time, it is possible to have a perspective of the immensity of the sea and the feeling that one has reached the end of the world.

Face Hill

The Cara hill has this name because seen from a certain angle it resembles a person’s face. This person seems to be staring at the sky and infinity, which gives him something even more special. It can be observed from Mindelo Bay, one of the most beautiful in the world.

Monte Verde

At an altitude of 750 m, Monte Verde is the place not to be missed for those who love magnificent views. The possibility to observe the island of São Vicente from that perspective and the entire city of Mindelo, as well as, in the background, the island of Santo Antão is something fantastic. Some rare plants complement the scenery.

Beaches on São Vicente Island

Although it is not such a famous island because of its beaches, like Boa Vista or Sal, São Vicente has fantastic beaches.

Laginha Beach

With an excellent location, near Mindelo, this is the most popular beach in S. Vicente. Its white sand makes it a setting worthy of Pacific beaches, but in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Laginha Beach, a name not to be forgotten when visiting Mindelo on the island of São Vicente.

Praia Grande

Located near a small fishing village, Calhau, the Praia Grande, with its translucent green water and white sand, is one of the most fantastic beaches on the island.
Surrounded by mountains of volcanic origin, including the volcano itself which is inactive, this is a beach sought after by windsurfing enthusiasts.
And the curious thing is that sometimes you manage to have this piece of paradise all to yourself.

The road that still crosses part of its sandy area makes access to it easy. Not to be missed.

São Pedro Beach

The extensive sandy beach of São Pedro makes it an interesting place to visit. Walking on the sand and feeling the sea breeze is an interesting experience. The fact that it is a windy beach sometimes attracts some kitesurfers and windsurfers. On days with less wind, it is also ideal for resting. It is important to pay attention to the waves. Sometimes they are quite strong.

Cultural Events on São Vicente Island

If you get a chance you can take advantage of some of the cultural events that this place has to offer. Although here we list two of the major events that the island has, there are also painting, musical and performance exhibitions taking place on the island throughout the year.

São Vicente Carnival

At Carnival time, usually in February, many revelers take to the streets, bringing the magic of African and South American dance and music to São Vicente. You should know and if you have the opportunity visit São Vicente during Carnaval and enjoy yourself.

Baía das Gatas Festival

The Baía das Gatas Festival, held on a full moon weekend in August, is the largest musical event on the island of São Vicente. Not to be missed if you are on the island at that time.

Eat, Sleep and Socialize

Where to eat?

São Vicente has fantastic restaurants, where the taste of a good cachupa is hard to forget.

Where to sleep?

In São Vicente, especially in Mindelo, there are several accommodation options, so that you can get the most out of your trip.

Where to live together?

Passing by the island and not taking the opportunity to socialize, while enjoying a morna, is like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope.