Scattered like emeralds in the Atlantic, Cabo Verde blends African, Portuguese, and Creole influences into an island nation rich with history, music, and landscapes that swing from lunar volcanoes to terraced valleys. The archipelago was a key waystation in the Age of Discovery; today, its UNESCO sites, morna ballads, and bold flavors reward slow travelers.

You’ll base in three places—Praia (Santiago), Mindelo (São Vicente) with a ferry hop to Santo Antão’s famed hiking trails, and Santa Maria (Sal) for beach time. Expect clear trade-wind skies, black and gold sands, and cliff-hugging roads that deliver soul-stirring views.

Practical notes: The currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE); cards work in cities, but carry cash for villages. Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu) are widely spoken. Inter-island travel is mainly by short flights plus the scenic ferry between São Vicente and Santo Antão. Street-safe, friendly, and relaxed—Cabo Verde is best approached with time and curiosity.

Praia (Santiago)

Praia is the capital and cultural heart of Cabo Verde, a city of pastel townhouses, hilltop viewpoints, and the music-soaked Plateau district. This is your gateway to history—nearby Cidade Velha brought the first European colonial outpost in the tropics and its UNESCO-listed fortress. Santiago also hides superb hiking in Serra Malagueta and a perfect crescent of sand at Tarrafal.

Why go now: Affordable eats, lively nightlife, and easy access to the island’s top sights make Praia a smart first stop on a value-focused trip.

Days 1–4: Historic Plateau, Cidade Velha, Serra Malagueta, and Tarrafal Beach

• Plateau Walkabout: Stroll Praça Alexandre Albuquerque, the viewpoints over Gamboa Bay, and the Mercado de Sucupira for textiles and spices. Step into the Ethnographic Museum to frame the islands’ migration stories.
• Cidade Velha (half-day): Taxi or aluguer (shared minivan) 20–30 minutes to the old capital. Explore the Fortaleza Real de São Filipe, the Pillory Square, and the quiet seafront lanes. Small entry fees (200–400 CVE; ~$2–4).
• Serra Malagueta Natural Park (day hike): Cooler pine-scented ridges and terraced valleys. Waymarked loops 2–5 hours; hire a local guide at the park entrance if you want route stories and village shortcuts. Bring water and sun protection.
• Tarrafal Beach (day trip): One of Santiago’s finest beaches—pale sand and calm water. Combine with the sobering Tarrafal Concentration Camp Memorial for context on 20th‑century history. Aluguer from Praia ~2.5 hours, ~700–900 CVE ($7–9).

Coffee & Breakfast: Café Sophia on the Plateau for strong espresso and pasteis (airy pastries) with a balcony view; Girasol bakery for fresh pão de queijo and fruit juices before a hiking day.

Lunch Ideas: Restaurante Avis (Praia’s stalwart grill—try the tuna steak with garlic butter and fried milho) or Pesty Pastelaria for quick, inexpensive empanadas and soups.

Dinner & Music: Quintal da Música pairs cachupa and grilled octopus with live morna/coladeira sets; book a table on music nights. For a breezy oceanfront option, the restaurant at Oasis Praiamar does a great lapas (limpets) and view-heavy sunsets.

Where to stay (budget to mid-range):

• Hotel Vip Praia — Modern rooms and a rooftop pool near Kebra Canela beach; good value in the capital.
• Hotel Santa Maria — Central, walkable to the Plateau’s sights with solid breakfast and rates suited to a tighter budget.
• Oasis Praiamar Hotel — Ocean views, coastal path access, and easy taxis to the Plateau.
• Browse more deals: VRBO Praia stays | Hotels.com Praia

Getting in: Fly into Praia (RAI). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. If you’re originating in Europe, also check Omio flights.

Praia → Mindelo travel (morning of Day 5): 1h–1h10 nonstop flight to São Vicente (VXE), usually $80–130 one way, including a small bag. Search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxis from VXE to central Mindelo take ~10–15 minutes.

Mindelo (São Vicente)

Mindelo is Cabo Verde’s music capital: a harbor town with a handsome colonial core, Laginha Beach’s turquoise arc, and café terraces where guitars appear as the sun falls. The city hums with art and nightlife, and it’s your launchpad to Santo Antão—the archipelago’s hiking paradise—via a scenic one-hour ferry.

Why go: Combine culture and beach time in Mindelo, then cross to Santo Antão for cliff trails, Cova crater views, and green valleys pouring toward the sea.

Days 5–6: Mindelo Old Town, Laginha Beach, Monte Verde

• Centro & Markets: Start at Praça Nova and the pink-toned Mercado Municipal for fruit and herbs. Explore the waterfront warehouses of Porto Grande and the cultural center exhibitions.
• Laginha Beach: Swim and sun at the city’s postcard bay. For a budget lunch with toes-in-sand vibes, try grilled catch-of-the-day at Kalimba Beach Club and fresh sumol.
• Monte Verde Lookout: Taxi up to the island’s high point for panoramas over Mindelo’s bay and neighboring islands. On windy days, bring a light jacket.

Cafés & Bites: Casa Café Mindelo for crepes, goat cheese toasts, and local art; Pastelaria Caravela for pastel de nata and cappuccinos before beach time.

Dinner & Nightlife: Taverna (tapas-style plates—octopus, sauteed vegetables, and local cheeses—paired with Portuguese wines) and Café Royal for an old-world drink afterward. Keep an ear out for live morna at intimate bars around Rua Lisboa.

Where to stay (budget-forward picks):

• Hotel Porto Grande — Classic address on Praça Amílcar Cabral; pool, reliable Wi‑Fi, walk-everywhere location.
• Residencial Jenny — Friendly, hillside sea views; excellent value for couples or solo travelers.
• Foya Branca Resort Hotel — Outside town with beach access and shuttle; good if you want quiet.
• More options: VRBO Mindelo | Hotels.com Mindelo

Days 7–9: Santo Antão Hiking Base (from Mindelo)

• Ferry Mindelo → Porto Novo: ~1 hour across the canal; fares typically 800–1,100 CVE ($8–11) each way. Morning sailings give calmer seas and more daylight to hike.
• Cova–Paul Valley Traverse: A classic descent from the Cova volcanic crater rim into the Paul Valley’s sugarcane terraces and citrus groves. 10–14 km with steep stone paths; hire a local guide in Pombas or Paul if you want farm detours and stories.
• Ponta do Sol ↔ Fontainhas coastal path: A cliff-hugging trail carved above turquoise surf to one of Africa’s most dramatic villages. Photos are irresistible; footing can be narrow—avoid in heavy wind or rain.
• Ribeira da Torre: Shorter hike to waterfalls beneath needle-like spires, ideal as a lighter day.

Where to base on Santo Antão: Ponta do Sol for seaside sunsets, or Paul for greener valley stays. For easy booking, browse VRBO Ponta do Sol and Hotels.com Ponta do Sol.

Eat & drink on Santo Antão: In Ponta do Sol, look for oceanfront grills serving caldo de peixe (fish stew) and grogue (local sugarcane spirit). In Paul, valley restaurants dish out cachupa rica and goat cheeses—great fuel between hikes.

Return: Take a late-afternoon ferry back to Mindelo on Day 9. If seas are rough, aim for the earliest crossing to reduce delays.

Mindelo → Sal travel (morning of Day 10): Fly VXE → SID in ~50–60 minutes, typically $80–130 one way. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi from Sal airport to Santa Maria takes ~20 minutes (1,200–1,500 CVE; $12–15).

Santa Maria (Sal)

Santa Maria is all about water and wind: palm-fringed beaches, an old wooden pier where fishermen unload tuna, and offshore shallows where lemon sharks glide past your calves. The island’s interior hides salt pans and the “Blue Eye,” a sunlit sea cavern that glows electric at midday.

Why go: After hiking, you deserve lazy beach days, easy snorkeling, and wallet-friendly beachfront lunches.

Days 10–14: Beach Time, Salt Crater, Blue Eye, and Kite Beach

• Santa Maria Beach & Pier: Swim in calm water, then watch the fish market at the pier. Budget lunch: grilled tuna and rice at pier-side stands or a prato do dia (daily special) in town.
• Pedra de Lume Salt Crater (half-day): Float in the hyper-saline lagoon inside an extinct volcano. Entry around 800 CVE (~$8); bring sandals and rinse water.
• Buracona “Blue Eye” (midday visit): Catch the sunbeam that turns the sea cave sapphire—timed best late morning to noon. Combine with the lava pools along the coast.
• Shark Bay (Baía da Parda): Wade with juvenile lemon sharks (guided wading tours supply reef shoes). Great for photos and educational talks.
• Kite Beach: Watch (or try) kitesurfing—peak winds Nov–Mar. Lessons are widely available; bargain politely in low season.

Breakfast & Coffee: Cape Fruit for smoothie bowls, crepes, and strong coffee; N1 Pastelaria for budget-friendly pastries, sandwiches, and espresso to-go.

Lunch: The Bounty Beach Club for grilled fish and salads right on the sand; Giramundo for wood-fired pizzas and gelato when you want a break from seafood.

Dinner: Barracuda is a beloved beachfront spot for lobster, octopus, and sunset views. Tuck into candlelit, cozy plates at Chez Pastis—small, so go early or expect a short wait.

Where to stay (great for budgets):

• Self-catering apartments near the beach help keep costs low: VRBO Santa Maria
• Compare hotel deals and guesthouses: Hotels.com Santa Maria

Departure: Most travelers fly out of Sal (SID). Compare onward fares on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, or (to/from Europe) Omio flights. If your best fare leaves from Praia, there are multiple daily SID → RAI hops (~40 minutes).

Budget-savvy tips for a 36/100 spend level

• Prato do dia: At lunch, many local restaurants offer a hearty daily special for 400–700 CVE ($4–7).
• Aluguer vans: Between towns on Santiago and Santo Antão, shared vans cost a fraction of taxis; allow extra time and flexibility.
• Ferry timing: Choose morning ferries for calmer seas and to avoid potential afternoon wind delays.
• Self-catering: Apartments near markets let you mix dining out with simple breakfasts and picnic lunches.

Over two weeks, you’ll trace Cabo Verde’s story from Praia’s Plateau and UNESCO-listed Cidade Velha to Mindelo’s music bars and Santo Antão’s cliffside footpaths, then exhale on Sal’s sunlit beaches. With short flights, an iconic ferry, and plenty of low-cost eats, this itinerary keeps costs in check while delivering big on scenery, culture, and sea.