Things to do in Picos

Discover the wonders of this remarkable island Praia on Santiago Island with this shore excursion from the Port of Praia. Meet your guide at the exit to the cruise terminal and be whisked away in a comfortable vehicle to must-see attractions and stunning viewpoints on the island of Santiago. Visit the charming mountain villages that are cradled by stunning green landscapes and towering peaks at São Domingos, Orgãos, Picos, and Assomada. Admire the incredible landscapes of the Serra Malagueta Natural Park. Soak up some sun and go for a swim at the sandy Tarrafal beach. Stop at a local family's house for dancing and singing to local music styles like batuco and morna. Journey along the east coast, enjoying the beautiful scenery and making photo stops in the quaint villages of Espinho Branco, Calheta, Santa Cruz, and Pedra Badejo. Finally, your tour concludes with a drop-off at your cruise ship.

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel in Praia or at the cruise harbor and warmly welcome you. From there, the excursion begins with a scenic drive through the interior of Santiago. Along the way, your guide will share stories about the island’s history and the daily life of its people. Stop 1 – Picos Visit this small farming village where most of the population lives from agriculture. You’ll see Mount N’gulilansa, a unique rock formation that resembles a strange animal. It is considered one of the seven natural wonders of Cape Verde and a proud symbol of Santiago Island. Stop 2 – Assomada The second-largest city on the island and its main commercial hub. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can visit the colorful vegetable market — a lively attraction full of local culture. Depending on your arrival time, you may also stroll through the pedestrian street, meet street vendors, or visit the city’s central church. Stop 3 – Serra Malagueta Natural Park Enjoy breathtaking landscapes from this natural park located at 800 meters above sea level from where you’ll have panoramic views and plenty of opportunities to take stunning photos of Santiago’s lush scenery. Stop 4 – Tarrafal Spend some free time in the charming coastal town of Tarrafal. You can relax on its white sand beach, watch fishermen return from the sea, enjoy a fresh grilled seafood lunch, or sip a passion fruit and lemon caipirinha at a beach bar. Note: Lunch is not included, but your guide can help arrange it. Stop 5 – East Coast Drive On your way back, travel along Santiago’s wild east coast. Admire dramatic coastal views and pass through small fishing villages nestled between the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean — a side of the island often missed by most visitors. Stop 6 – Pedra Badejo Pass by the island’s largest banana and coconut plantations. It’s the perfect moment to meet local fruit vendors and enjoy a refreshing drink of sweet, fresh coconut water before returning to your accommodation in Praia or at the Port if you are a cruze ship passenger.

Embark on a captivating journey through the island of Santiago, Cape Verde, with an exclusive tour tailored specifically for cruise ship passengers. Led by a knowledgeable, German-speaking local guide, you'll immerse yourself in the rich culture, history and music of this vibrant destination. Designed exclusively for cruise ship passengers, this tour guarantees a personalized and stress-free experience tailored to your schedule and preferences. Enjoy convenient pickup and drop-off right at the Praia port and make the most of your time on land without having to worry about logistics. Enjoy an authentic cultural experience as you learn and dance to the rhythmic sounds of Batuque, a traditional musical genre deeply rooted in Cape Verdean culture. Batuque, famously performed by the legendary Madona and Cesaria Evora, embodies the soul and spirit of the islands. Led by local musicians, you'll feel the rhythm pulsing through your veins as you move to the magical melodies. Explore the diverse landscapes and historical landmarks of Santiago Island. From lush valleys to rugged coastlines, experience the natural beauty that captivates visitors from around the world. Visit charming villages of São Domingos, São Lourenço dos Órgãos, Picos, Assomada, Serra Malagueta Natural Park, Calheta, Santa Cruz and lively markets and gain insight into the island's rich heritage and colonial past.

Enjoy a pickup from your accommodation or Port of Praia and travel towards Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour of the São Filipe Fortress, the former slave market and the famous Banana Street with its thatched houses. Next, drive through the mountains with photo stops at the villages São Lourenço dos Órgãos, Picos, Assomada and Serra Malagueta Natural Park. Be dazzled by incredible views from 1000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level, have a look at some endemic species before you arrive at the former Concentration Camp of Chão Bom, the current Museum of Resistance. Here, learn about the history of the former prisoners who fought against the Salazar regime and take a walking tour of the monuments. After that, stop for a delicious lunch and then take a scenic drive back to Calheta and Santa Cruz. Enjoy a photo stop at the Valley of 1000 Palms in Pedra Badejo, cross plantations and beautiful volcanic landscapes before being dropped off at your initial start point.

Embark on a delightful journey with a pickup from your accommodation, whisking you away to the captivating Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse yourself in the rich history during a guided walking tour, exploring the iconic São Filipe Fortress, the former slave market, and the charming Banana Street with its charming thatched houses. Next, venture into the heart of the island to learn the art of local cuisine with a welcoming family, where you'll prepare the mouthwatering Cape Verdean Couscous, a traditional cake made from corn flour. After the workshop, journey through the picturesque mountains, making photo stops at the villages of Picos, Assomada, and Serra Malagueta Natural Park. Be dazzled by incredible views from 1000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level before you arrive at Santiago's most beautiful beach, Tarrafal beach. Here, swim and relax on the shore surrounded by hills and palm trees. Stop for a delicious lunch and then drive along the beautiful east coast road and, if available, at your own expenses, refresh yourself with fresh coconut water at the largest plantation in the country. The tour ends with a drop-off at your accommodation.

Pick up in the morning at your accommodation and taking you to the interior of Santiago island, it´s the largest island of Cabo Verde it takes a full-day tour to explore and experience the best of it with plenty of cultural and historical places to visit, It´s the best way to discover the entire island. Our first stop will be at SÃO DOMINGOS CITY to visit a small garden called “Eco Centro” a perfect place for fauna and flora lovers. We will continue our visit with short stop at ORGÃOS and PICOS CITY to admire two impressives mountains which are the symbol of those cities. Moving on to ASSOMADA CITY-the second largest city and most developed city on the island after Praia. The city has a lot of tourist attractions to be visited for example its two famous markets and the museum, it has one of the most beautiful church in the country, you will visit a small village called Boa Entrada, it’s a green valley with a lot of fruit plants. You will bw taken to a small park where it has the biggest and oldest tree(Kapok tree) in Cabo Verde with more than 700 years. Our next stop will be at the SERRA MALAGUETA NATURAL PARK, the view there is incredible due to its altitude (1000 meters), continuing our visit to the most touristic city on the island –TARRAFAL CITY. It has the most beautiful beach on the island (white sand) there you will have a break in which you can lunch and swim. After the lunch we will drive back this time to the wonderful east coast, stop at the VILLAGE OF RABELADOS-rebels who resisted the Portuguese colonizer in 1941. The houses are built of coconut tree trunks, ropes made with fibers of sisal and intertwined coconut leaves, move on to CALHETA CITY- a small city on the east coast where the locals depend on fishing perfect place to have a contact with the locals, drive on to Santa Cruz city- the city is so famous and visited because it has the largest banana and coconut plantation in Cabo Verde, 15 min. hike on the plantation, the tour will end up with drop-off at your accommodation.

If you are visiting the island of Santiago on a cruise ship (Aida, Tui Mein Schiff, Europa 2, MsN) and have a day to spare, then this day trip is perfect for you. It is a one-day trip around the island and offers a perfect combination of the best sights and attractions, such as the capital Praia, the markets of Assomada, the Serra Malagueta Nature Park, Tarrafal Beach, and the east coast, as well as important information about the history of the people, their culture, fauna and flora, land and people, gastronomy, and landscape. You will be picked up at the gate of the cruise terminal, and after a brief introduction, you will set off on your journey. Stop 1 - Picos This is a farming village where the population lives mainly from agriculture. Here you will find "Mount N'gulilansa," a rock formation that looks like a strange animal and is considered one of the seven natural wonders and a symbol of the island of Santiago. Stop 2 - Assomada The second largest town on the island is the commercial center of the island. Every Wednesday and Saturday you can visit the vegetable market, which has become a tourist attraction, and depending on the time of day, you can also stroll through the town's pedestrian zone and meet the street vendors or visit the main church in the town center. Stop 3 - Serra Malagueta Natural Park Here you can enjoy one of the most beautiful natural landscapes on the island with a breathtaking view of the lake from an 800-meter-high plateau—the perfect place to take hundreds of photos. Stop 4 - Tarrafal In Tarrafal, you will have time to stroll along the beach and watch the fishermen at work. You can also take time to explore the local cuisine with grilled fish and seafood or relax at the beach bar with a "Caipirinha de Maracuja and Lemon." Note: Lunch is not included, but we can help you organize one. Stop 5 - East Coast Along the east coast of the island, you will discover several small fishing villages right on the Atlantic Ocean and enjoy the most beautiful coastal views of the island from Tarrafal to Santa Cruz. Stop 6 - Pedra Badejo Here you will pass the largest banana plantation and coconut palms on the island. The perfect time to haggle with the local vendors and try some sweet, fresh coconut water before returning to your accommodation in Praia.