Things to do in Santo Antão

Start your adventure with a pick-up from your accommodation in São Vicente followed by a transfer to the port for a 1-hour ferry ride to Santo Antão. Upon arrival, meet your local expert and drive through the mountains to Cape Verde's largest volcanic crater, Cova de Paúl, an extinct volcano used for the cultivation of potatoes, carrots, onions and more. After visiting the Cova Natural Park, take the Corda Road and traverse the island' smost spectacular landscapes. Enjoy a photo stop at the Delgadinho mountain viewpoint and be amazed by stunning views of sharp cliffs and beautiful valleys. Proceed to the fishing village of Ponta de Sol, meet the locals before a scenic drive to Ribeira Grande. Next, take a break for lunch before arriving in Vale de Paúl, surrounded by greenery, thatched-roof houses and stunning scenery. After discovering one of Cape Verde's most beautiful islands, be transferred to Porto Novo and catch your ferry back to São Vicente. The tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel in Mindelo.

Get picked up from your accommodation in Mindelo and head out of the city for an exciting day of exploring more of São Vicente! Let’s go sightseeing to our stunning coastal beaches, learn about our culture and daily lifestyle on the Villages of São Vicente. Take a scenic drive to the southwestern part of our Island, visit our busy fishing village and stretched out coastal beach of São Pedro / Santo André; see the village in action! Departing to Calhau, you will drive on the old cobblestone road; visit the agricultural Valley of Calhau where you will see and smell our Islands Traditional Farming activities, vegetation, animals, water wells, and old iron windmills, also home of Vulcao Viana. We will make a stop for lunch at the best restaurant on the Island. After lunch, we head on along the majestic coastal road of Praia Grande / Norte Baia, the coastline here is sweeping of majestic white sand dunes and black volcanic mountains, with gorgeous changing blue waters. At our famous beach of Baia das Gatas, enjoy a swim or dive off of the trampolim into the clear blue lagoon. Head to the town of Salamansa, this is a charming, lively fishing village; people are busy here with the day to day lifestyle, and always happy to welcome guests! Also at Salamansa you will find our windsurfing, and kitesurfing activities, along with charming local places to stop for a refreshing beverage on the beach. Last, but not least, Monte Verde, 774m or 2,539ft, the highest point of Sao Vicente, at the summit we will enjoy a cup of locally grown tea or coffee at the Tea House, while taking in the spectacular views of the Island; On a clear day you will see the Islands of Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Santa Luzia, Ilhéu Raso and Branco - Mindelo and the Coastal beaches are stunning from the top! Return to Mindelo after a fantastic day of exploring the best of São Vicente!

Get picked up from your accommodation for an exciting day of exploring and learning more about São Vicente’s history, culture and daily lifestyle! Depart to our Islands Old Fort, Fortim del Rei where you will have phenomenal views of the Bay City of Mindelo and our popular city Beach, Laginha. Take a walk through the city where you will visit the Cultural Center to observe the current talent on display, walk through the bustling markets of Mindelo; Fish, Municipal (vegetable / fruits) and African* (Closed on Sundays). Departing the city we will pass by the home of our famous Barefoot Diva, Cesária Évora, taking a scenic drive through the mountains to Monte Verde, 774m or 2,539ft, the highest point of Sao Vicente, at the summit we will enjoy a cup of locally grown tea or coffee at the Tea House, while taking in the spectacular views of the Island; On a clear day you will see the Islands of Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Santa Luzia, Ilhéu Raso and Branco - Mindelo and the Coastal beaches are stunning from the top! Head to the town of Salamansa, this is a charming, lively fishing village; people are busy here, with the village lifestyle, and always happy to welcome guests! Also, at Salamansa you will find our windsurfing, and kitesurfing activities with local places to stop for a refreshing beverage on the beach. At our famous beach of Baia das Gatas, enjoy a swim or dive off of the trampolim into the clear blue lagoon. Return to Mindelo after a fantastic day of exploring the Best of São Vicente!

Begin your day with an early pick-up from your accommodation in Mindelo and transfer to the harbor for a scenic ferry ride to Santo Antão (approximately 1 hour). Enjoy ocean views and keep an eye out for dolphins or flying fish along the way. Upon arrival in Porto Novo, meet your local guide for a full-day island tour that brings the beauty and stories of Santo Antão to life. Travel the breathtaking Old Mountain Road to the volcanic crater of Cova de Paúl, with panoramic views of the island’s dramatic landscapes. Stop at the Mountain Ridge of Delgadinho to admire the lush green valleys below. Continue through historic towns and coastal villages, including Ribeira Grande, Ponta do Sol, Sinagoga, and Paúl. Enjoy a traditional Cape Verdean lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to a distillery to learn about the island’s famous sugarcane liquor, Grogue. After the tour, head back to Porto Novo along the stunning New Coastal Road, where dramatic cliffs meet the ocean and mountain tunnels cut through rugged volcanic rock. Board the ferry back to São Vicente. A transfer will be waiting at the harbor to take you back to your accommodation in Mindelo. 06:15–06:30 – From your accommodation in Mindelo (please confirm your address) Or meet in front of the Ferry Terminal Mindelo Ferry: 07:00 – Ferry departs from São Vicente to Porto Novo, Santo Antão 08:00 – Arrive in Santo Antão, meet your local guide at the terminal, Garemaritima, Porto Novo, he will have a sign with your name on it. Full-Day Tour by Car – Highlights include: Porto Novo Old Mountain Road Volcano Crater of Cova de Paúl Pico da Cruz (1,585 m / 5,200 ft) Delgadinho mountain ridge Povação Ribeira de Torre / Xôxô Ribeira Grande Ponta do Sol Sinagoga Paúl Valley Vila das Pombas Janela (via the coastal road) Lunch: 13:00 – Enjoy a traditional Cape Verdean lunch at a local restaurant. (Lunch is not included. Typical cost: €10–20. Please bring cash in euros or escudos, as cards are not accepted.) Return: 15:20 – Arrive back in Porto Novo 16:00 – Ferry back to São Vicente 17:00 – Arrive in Mindelo and transfer back to your accommodation

Visit Cape Verde's largest volcanic crater, see the natural rock formations of Delgadin, visit a local fishing village, and have a local lunch before heading to Cape Verde's greenest valley and visiting a distillery to taste famous local rum. Begin the adventure with pickup from your accommodation and before driving through the mountains to reach Cape Verde's largest volcanic crater, Cova de Paúl. See a panoramic view of the extinct volcano, over 1000 meters in height, and enjoy breathtaking landscapes of the immense and green round plain inside of the crater used as agricultural fields. Head to Delgadin, a perfect mountaintop to admire the natural towers carved in the valley near Ribeira da Torre. Arrive in Povoacão, one of the main cities of Santo Antão, and proceed to Ribeira da Torre and see many fruits and vegetables along the route. Continue the journey to the charming coastal village of Ponta de Sol, and get the chance to meet the local fishermen with their small traditional boats. Drive to the picturesque village of Fontainhas, one of the 10 villages with the best view in the world according to National Geographic. Take a break for a delicious lunch in a local setting and then head to Cape Verde's greenest valley, Vale de Paúl. Delight in a peaceful and authentic Cape Verde atmosphere, surrounded by thatched-roof houses and an incredible green color of the agricultural fields. Visit a distillery and taste the famous local rum called “grogue”. Explore Sinagoga, an extinct Jewish village that still preserves its essence. Conclude the tour with drop-off at your accommodation.

Get adventurous in Cova Natural Park and hike an extinct volcano. Set out on the trail in Santo Antao, marveling at the vast vegetation emerging within the crater from 1,100 meters above sea level. Zig-zag up the trail, take in views of the ocean, and visit a rum distillery before heading back. Head to the edge and enjoy the most breathtaking views of the green valley of Paul that outstretches before you. Look out over the ocean, 10 kilometers away, and breathe before beginning the next challenge. Start the zig-zag portion of the trail and learn about the native vegetation while crossing beautiful plantations of sugarcane, banana, mango, avocado, coconut, and more. Experience the production of a local rum in a traditional distillery and try a taste of the famous Grogue.

São Vicente is typically dry and clay like, however, Monte Verde is one of the greenest places to be found on the Island. Travel to the base of Monte Verde by car and take a hike up the mountain side footpath. Along the way you will find endemic plants, farmers, livestock, old homes which have been abandoned. At the summit we will stop at the Tea House to enjoy a cup of locally grown tea or coffee, or taste the tea liquor, while taking in the spectacular views of the Island: Mindelo and the Coastal beaches are stunning from the top! On a clear day you will see the Islands of Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Santa Luzia, Ilhéu Raso and Branco. Hike is typically up to 2 hours one way, we may return on the road down, then be picked up and return to accommodation.

Take in breathtaking views of lush nature, volcanic rocks, and ocean scenery on this guided road trip to Ponta do Sol, Fontainhas, and Cruzinha. Have a picnic on the black-sand beach of Praia das Aranhas and join a 2.5-hour hiking adventure. Choose between private and shared tour options. After pickup, explore on foot in Ponta do Sol, a waterfront fishing village with colorful houses. Follow a scenic road up along rocky cliffs that hover over the ocean for unforgettable views overlooking the sea. Then, head through a winding road sculpted on the top of a mountain and surrounded with deep valleys to the picturesque village of Fontainhas, 1 of the 10 villages with the best views in the world according to National Geographic. Following a steep descent and a pedestrian path, cross Corvo, Formiguinhas, and some dazzling sights to the Aranhas valley. Next, arrive at a beautiful black-sand beach, Praia das Aranhas, a place to spot turtles nesting and to go for a swim, depending on sea conditions. There, find a scenic spot on the shore for a well-deserved rest and picnic (food and drinks not included).   After recharging, start your 2.5-hour hike between volcanic rocks and the ocean, offering stunning views until you reach Cruzinha, a small fishing village with more memorable views of the coast. At the end of your unforgettable day, sit back and relax on the return transfer to your accommodation.

Begin with an early morning pick up at your accommodation in Mindelo, transfer to the Harbor of Mindelo for your adventure by Ferry to our neighboring Paradise Island, Santo Antão. On your ferry travel across the canal (up to 1 hour on ferry), you may stand on deck to witness dolphins, flying fish and more of our marine life, or you can decide to relax on the comfortable chairs and enjoy some music on your way. Arrive to Porto Novo, as you exit the terminal you will be met by your local guide who will take you on a journey through the mountains to the top of our ancient Volcano Crater of Cova. A must see! Atop Cova crater you will have breathtaking views of the immense lush green valley below, in the distance, by the sea, Vila das Pombas awaits! On this mostly descending adventure down Cova crater to Cabo de Ribeira, walking into the valley of Paúl we will pass through small villages where agriculture is the daily lifestyle, beholding mango, papaya, goiaba, oranges, apples, passion fruit, avocado trees, sugarcane fields, banana and coffee plants. After our trek, we will enjoy a delicious lunch at a typical local restaurant. Travel back to Porto Novo on the stunning coastal Road, passing through mountain tunnels, and colorful villages arriving to the Ferry. Return to Porto Novo, board the ferry to return to São Vicente. Upon arrival to the Harbor, you will enjoy a transfer to your accommodation in Mindelo.

See Cape Verde from stunning heights and visit the remote villages along the way on this 3-hour hike throughout the lush mountainside. Start with a visit to the tiny mountain village of Corda and enjoy photo stops along the route.  Kick off the hike with a steep descent down a wide cobbled path and take in the views of the many cultivated agricultural terraces high above. Next, eperience a perspective that most tourists don’t come across with a visit to one of the most remote villages on the island of Santo Antão, Figueiral de Cima. Continue along the rows of sugar cane and papaya trees to the village of Terrinha Vermelha. Marvel at the views of the valleys below and pass small houses with an authentic Cape Verdean touch. End your tour in Coculi, surrounded by towering palm trees.