Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) blends West African soul with Portuguese heritage across ten wind-brushed Atlantic islands. Once a pivotal refreshment stop on transatlantic routes, the archipelago gained independence in 1975 and grew a culture as warm as its climate—best heard in morna, the island blues made famous by Cesária Évora of Mindelo.

Across seven days you’ll split your time between two islands: Santiago, the historical heart anchored by capital Praia and nearby UNESCO-listed Cidade Velha; and São Vicente, a compact island crowned by Mindelo’s music, markets, and sunlit bay. From city strolls and golden beaches to crater rims and cloud forests, this itinerary pairs coastal ease with mountain drama.

Expect seafood straight from the catch, hearty plates of cachupa, and a toast with grogue (sugarcane rum). Portuguese is official, Cape Verdean Kriolu is everywhere, and cash is handy (CVE, pegged to the euro). Petty theft can occur in crowded markets; keep valuables close and use registered taxis. Trade winds make for superb conditions most of the year, with the greenest landscapes after late-summer rains.

Praia (Santiago Island)

Praia is Cabo Verde’s capital—a lively blend of markets, music bars, and ocean views from the historic Plateau. A short drive away lies Cidade Velha, the first European colonial settlement in the tropics and a UNESCO World Heritage Site with evocative ruins and a hilltop fortress.

• Top sights: Plateau district, Sucupira Market, Quebra Canela Beach, Farol Maria Pia, Cidade Velha’s Fortaleza Real de São Filipe, Pelourinho, Rua Banana, Convento de São Francisco.
• Why visit: It’s the country’s cultural and political hub, perfect for learning Cabo Verdean history before heading north to the music capital, Mindelo.
• Where to stay: Search stays on VRBO Praia or Hotels.com Praia. Tried-and-true options: Hotel Vip Praia (modern rooms, rooftop pool), Oasis Praiamar Hotel (sea views, cliffside pool), and Hotel Santa Maria (Plateau location, classic style).
• Getting there: Most international flights route via Lisbon or regional hubs. Compare on Omio (flights to/from Europe) or globally on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi from Praia airport to Plateau: ~10–15 min, ~$7–10.

Day 1: Arrival in Praia and Plateau Stroll

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the flight with a gentle walk on the Plateau: Praça Alexandre Albuquerque, the pink Presidential Palace, and the ocean-facing viewpoints. Duck into Sucupira Market’s alleys for fabric, spices, and pastel de atum (tuna pastries)—keep small bills handy.

Evening: Dinner and live music at Quintal da Música (Plateau). Order cachupa (slow-cooked hominy, beans, pork) and grilled tuna with onions; bands often glide from funaná to morna. Nightcap on the sand at Kebra Cabana on Quebra Canela Beach—great for a first Atlantic sunset.

Day 2: Cidade Velha UNESCO + Praia by the Sea

Morning: Taxi 20 min to Cidade Velha. Explore Fortaleza Real de São Filipe (panoramas), the stone Pelourinho (colonial-era pillory), Rua Banana (one of the oldest European streets in the tropics), and the Convento de São Francisco ruins. Context here grounds the wider story of the Atlantic world.

Afternoon: Return to Praia for a beach break at Quebra Canela. Light lunch at the beach shacks—try grilled serra (Spanish mackerel) with lime. Coffee at Ponto d’Encontro (Plateau): strong espresso, simple pastries, easy people-watching.

Evening: Sunset at Farol Maria Pia then dinner on the sand at Ipanema Beach Club (cocktails and seafood skewers). If you want more music, check the program at Palácio da Cultura Ildo Lobo—often hosting folk or acoustic sets.

Day 3: Serra Malagueta Hike and Tarrafal Bay

Morning: Early drive north into Serra Malagueta Natural Park (1.5–2 hours). Hike a signed trail (2–4 hours, moderate) along eucalyptus and endemic flora with views over patchwork valleys. Pack water and a windbreaker; the ridge can be breezy.

Afternoon: Continue to Tarrafal (40–50 min). Swim in its crescent bay and grab late lunch—grilled lobster or tuna steaks pair well with a cold Strela beer. History stop: the Museum of Resistance (Tarrafal Camp), a sobering look at a former political prison of the Salazar era.

Evening: Return to Praia (2–2.5 hours). Dinner at Restaurante Avis (Plateau): Portuguese–Cabo Verdean classics, from octopus rice to picanha. For a nightcap, try a small glass of grogue or sweet ponche (infused rum).

Mindelo (São Vicente Island)

Mindelo is Cabo Verde’s cultural heartbeat—harbor views, pastel mansions along Rua Lisboa, and live music drifting from cafés until late. It’s also your springboard to Santo Antão’s green mountains and coastal cliffs.

• Top sights: Praça Nova, Mercado Municipal and fish market, Mindelo’s waterfront and Torre de Belém replica, Laginha Beach, Monte Verde lookout, Baía das Gatas.
• Why visit: For music, markets, and easy access to one of the Atlantic’s great hikes on neighboring Santo Antão.
• Where to stay: Browse VRBO Mindelo or Hotels.com Mindelo. Favorites include Hotel Porto Grande (right on Praça Nova, lively), Residencial Jenny (harbor views, good value), and Foya Branca Resort Hotel (beachfront near São Pedro).

Day 4: Fly to Mindelo, Harbor Walk, and Music After Dark

Morning: Inter-island flight Praia (RAI) to São Vicente (VXE): ~55 minutes, ~$60–120 one way depending on date. Compare and book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi VXE to central Mindelo: ~10 min, ~$7–10.

Afternoon: Stroll the waterfront to the petite Torre de Belém replica, then browse Mercado Municipal for island spices and beadwork. Coffee and a bolo de milho slice at Pastelaria Morabeza.

Evening: Dinner at Taverna (intimate wine bar; order octopus carpaccio and local cheeses). For music, check Centro Cultural do Mindelo or wander Rua Lisboa—on many nights, bars host live morna or coladeira. Finish with a pontoon-view drink at the marina.

Day 5: Santo Antão Day Trip – Cova Crater to Paul Valley

Full-day tour (no need to split by time): Catch a morning fast ferry from Mindelo to Porto Novo (Santo Antão)—~1 hour, several departures daily, typically ~$8–10 each way. Hire a driver at the pier (common and affordable) or prearrange through your hotel. The classic route climbs to the misty rim of the Cova volcanic crater, then descends on foot into the lush Paul Valley amid terraced sugarcane and breadfruit.

Stop for a simple home-style lunch in the valley—think grilled catch, stewed beans, and fresh passionfruit juice; many family taverns post a short “today’s dishes” board. Continue along the ridge to the Delgadinho knife-edge viewpoint and descend toward Ribeira Grande and colorful Ponta do Sol for coffee by the sea. Return to Porto Novo for an evening ferry back to Mindelo.

What to bring: sturdy shoes, sun protection, light rain shell for the highlands, and cash (CVE). The road vistas alone make this one of Cabo Verde’s great days out.

Day 6: Beaches, Viewpoints, and Slow Food in Mindelo

Morning: Easy beach time at Laginha—turquoise water and a sandy arc facing Monte Cara. Brunch at Kalimba Beach Club (smoothies, eggs, and tuna toasties) or try a cachupa refogada (the beloved “day-after” fry-up).

Afternoon: Taxi up to Monte Verde for island-wide views, then swing by wind-kissed Baía das Gatas (site of the summer music festival). If you prefer, head west to São Pedro Beach; when seas are calm, locals offer short boat rides to the lighthouse rocks for snorkeling.

Evening: Dinner at Casa Café Mindelo (creative Cabo Verdean dishes; try the grouper with coconut sauce). For a last music fix, slip into Café Royal on Rua Lisboa—an old-school salon with cocktails and the occasional impromptu set.

Day 7: Mindelo Markets and Departure

Morning: Pick up final souvenirs—spice mixes, coffee, woven baskets—at the municipal market and the waterfront craft stalls. Espresso and pastel at La Pergola’s courtyard before check-out.

Afternoon: Depart from São Vicente (VXE). Compare flights on Omio (if connecting to/from Europe), or use Trip.com and Kiwi.com. If your ticket departs from Praia, add an early inter-island flight today.

Eating and Drinking Cheat Sheet

• Praia picks: Quintal da Música (live bands, Cape Verdean staples), Restaurante Avis (Portuguese/CV classics), Kebra Cabana and Ipanema Beach Club (sea-view grills), Ponto d’Encontro (coffee/pastries).
• Mindelo picks: Taverna (wine and small plates), Casa Café Mindelo (modern island cuisine), Kalimba Beach Club (brunch by the sand), Café Royal (historic bar), Pastelaria Morabeza (sweet treats).
• What to try: cachupa, grilled tuna, percebes do mar (when in season), moreia fritters, goat cheese with papaya jam, and a post-dinner grogue or ponche.

Getting Around and Practical Tips

• Taxis and “aluguers”: City taxis are inexpensive; agree on fares before riding. Shared minibuses (aluguers) connect towns on Santiago for ~$5–7 to Tarrafal.
• Inter-island travel: Praia–São Vicente flights ~55 min; ferries run frequently between Mindelo and Santo Antão (~1 hour). Weather can affect schedules—keep plans flexible.
• Money and connectivity: CVE cash is king in small places; ATMs exist in city centers. Local SIMs are easy to buy; coverage is good in towns.

This one-week Cabo Verde itinerary layers history in Praia with music-filled nights in Mindelo and a bucket-list hike on Santo Antão. Expect easy beaches, soulful food, and an ocean breeze as constant company. You’ll leave humming a morna and plotting a return to explore the rest of the archipelago.