What to do on Fogo Island?

Fogo Island

The magic of a unique place

On Fire Island, when you arrive, there is that almost immediate feeling of reunion with a place, almost inexplicable and hard to describe. The landscape, which makes us feel small before the imposing volcano in the background, and the perception that we are witnessing something special, may be the reason for this feeling.
The relationship with the volcano on the island of Fogo is like any other place that has one: just as it brings destruction and sorrow when lava flows from inside its crater, it also brings fertility in calm periods to lands that tend to be arid, which allows the island to produce vegetables, wine, cheese, and other food products.

How to get to Fogo Island?

Fogo has an airfield that only receives domestic flights. One of the ways to get to the island is therefore by plane, with TACV and BINTER operating flights between Fogo and Santiago.
You can also choose to go by boat from Santiago Island – which regularly covers the Santiago – Fogo – Brava route.

How to get a visa for Cape Verde?

For stays of a few days / weeks you may not even need a visa. Learn more, here.

How to get around on Fogo Island?

On Fogo Island you can rent a car or use a cab. Both options are good, but in the case of the cab you will have more autonomy.

What is the money used for shopping on Fogo Island?

Use Cape Verdean escudos (CVE) to make purchases on Fogo Island. Most locals, outside the tourist area, use CVE in their daily lives and not Euros or Dollars. So the best option will be this one.

Checklist of what to bring when traveling to Fogo Island

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

What to visit on Fogo Island?

Saint Philip

São Filipe is the main town on the island of Fogo. There, it is possible to find some points of interest, such as the local church, or projects that intend to keep alive the history of the island and its people, such as the Municipal Museum or the Casa da Memória.

The volcano

To visit the volcano on Fogo Island the best option is probably to hire a local guide. So you have the opportunity to see the most important sites in the area, and ride with someone who knows the behavior of this masterpiece of nature.
Chã das Caldeiras is a village in the crater of the Volcano, which rose after its last eruption. There you can taste the best wine in Cape Verde, and have the experience of staying overnight inside the volcano.

The villages

On Fogo Island (or Djarfogo, as the locals say) there are small villages that make the place even more special. In each person, we see a smile.
Their traditional houses, the sobrados, can be appreciated in some of these villages.
Mosteiros, for example, is one of the classic villages of the island, which you should not miss.

Natural Park of Fogo

The Natural Park of Fogo, which is home to several animal and plant species, is slowly re-emerging after the eruption that in late 2015 destroyed much of this park, given its proximity to the crater that erupted.

Visit the natural bridges of Salinas

Have you ever had the opportunity to see natural bridges over the sea? Well, in the Salinas area, near the village of S. Jorge, this is exactly what happens.
Sculpted by nature, through the erosion of volcanic rock, they create an interesting landscape while, at the same time, you can enjoy the beautiful bathing area of Areia Negra Beach.

Ribeira Filipe

In Ribeira Filipe it is possible to observe the beauty of Fogo. From one angle, we see the green and fertile fields characteristic of the island, with the sea and the rocks in the background. A beautiful landscape, for those visiting the São Jorge area.

Tasting Punch

Fogo Island is known for its natural products, such as cheese, wine or punch. The latter, a spirit, is produced with the different flavors of the wonderful fruits the island has to offer, and there are punches for different tastes: coconut, calabaceira, tamarind, honey… the list is diverse. This is a drink, locally produced, that you can try.

Wine Tasting

The fertility of Fogo Island makes it have local products that are not produced on the other islands. One is wine.
When you visit the island of Fogo, if you are a wine lover, be sure to taste it and even, if you have the opportunity, visit one of its vineyards and production site.

Taste Cheese

The famous Cape Verdean goat cheese is made on several islands, but produced in larger quantities on Fogo Island. Tasting this delicious cheese can be part of your experience.

Beaches on Fogo Island

Black Sand Beaches

Have you ever had the opportunity to visit a black sand beach? The fact that they are volcanic rock beaches gives them these characteristics. And even though there are beaches on other, more iconic islands, the beaches on Fogo are worth visiting.

Cultural Events on Fogo Island

Discover some of the events that take place regularly on Fogo Island.

Fire Coffee Festival

Every year, and usually during the month of April, one of the tastiest products the island has to offer is celebrated: coffee.

Lantcha Beach Festival

The main music festival in Mosteiros traditionally takes place in the middle of August, and goes on into the night. If you’re there at that time, it’s an opportunity to listen to leading Cape Verdean artists.

Eat, Sleep and Socialize

Learn about the options for eating, sleeping and living on the island of Fogo.

What to eat?

As mentioned, Fogo has several products that have become a reference in Cape Verde. Therefore, in the restaurants, you can try dishes with these products, fresh and coming from local producers.

Where to sleep?

Mosteiros has a few places to sleep. You can also have the experience of sleeping on the Caldeiras ground, near the top of the volcano.

Where to live together?

There are several places on Fogo Island where you can enjoy some mornas or coladeras, while taking the time to relax. Try to talk to the locals, and share experiences.