Ilha de Santigo: The economic center of Cape Verde

The most vibrant place in Cape Verde

How to get to Santiago Island?

As it is the most important island in the country, there are several routes that connect its main city – Praia – to the rest of the country: Direct flights from Portugal, France, Angola, Brazil, and the United States make it relatively easy to reach the island from from different locations around the world.

Santiago, like the rest of Cape Verde, has an essence that makes it special. Its history makes it an island that brings together different influences, European and African, and this diversity is reflected in everything: in the people, in the culture and in the unique and captivating identity and way of being.

Santiago is the island with the most population in the country, and its administrative center. And, although small, even when compared to other metropolises worldwide, there is a lot to do on this island, from events to appreciate the local culture, places to visit, cafes or restaurants to hang out, and beaches to relax.

How to get a visa to Cape Verde

Short visits may be visa-free. For longer stays, a visa may be required. You can find more here and if you still have doubts, you should seek advice from the Cape Verde representation in your country, before travelling.

How to get around Santiago Island?

To explore Santiago Island, the options can be car, hiace – a passenger transport in 9-seater vans, or bus. If you choose to stay in the Capital, Cidade da Praia is relatively small, so getting around the city itself is not difficult: on foot, by taxi, or by car, all are possible options.

How much money do I need to go shopping on Santiago Island?

Eventually some spaces – hotels and restaurants – will be able to accept euros. The ideal, however, is to exchange some money for Cape Verde Escudos, in order to be able to buy locally.

Checklist of what to take when traveling to Santiago Island

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

What to visit on Santiago Island?

Praia Municipal Market

Do you want the opportunity to discover the delicious products that Cape Verde has to offer? In the Municipal Market of Praia, you will find national products, from islands such as Santo Antão, São Vicente and Fogo, and international products, with which you can delight yourself. Local fruits such as papaya, mango, pine cone, or fresh fish from the Cape Verdean seas are some of the products that can be purchased in this market and that you will love.

Sucupira Fair

This market exists daily in Praia City. It is one of the main places for buying and selling products in Cape Verde, where you can find a little bit of everything. Despite being an important trading point, the Sucupira Market also turns out to be an interesting tourist attraction, where visitors can feel the essence of a true African market. And a place where you can find the souvenirs you want, to remember your visit to Cidade da Praia.

Plateau

The Plateau is an important area of Praia City. It is a part of the historic center of the island, located in the upper part of the city, and the place where most of the administrative and commercial services are located, such as Rua 5 de Julho.

Maria Pia Lighthouse

The Maria Pia Lighthouse Farol de Maria Pia is one of the symbols of the City of Praia. It is an opportunity to feel the sea in a different way, and have a different perspective of it.

It is an opportunity to feel the sea in a different way, and have a different perspective of it.

Pope’s Cross

The monument erected in honor of Pope John Paul II is located in Achada de Santo António, one of the noblest areas of the city. In addition to the wonderful view that you can get over Kebra Canela Beach and the sea, Cruz de Papa also has a playground that, if you travel with children, will delight the little ones.

Monument to Diogo Gomes

Built to honor the navigator who discovered Cape Verde, the Monument to Diogo Gomes is located in a privileged area of the city, with a panoramic view of the Ilhéu de Santa Maria. The local has, simultaneously, a monument and a sight.

Our Lady of Grace Church

With more than a century of existence, this church stands out for its simplicity. For lovers of churches and religious tourism, the church of Nossa Senhora da Graça may be one of the places that you might be interested in visiting in the city.

Quartel Jaime Mota

Although photos can only be taken from the outside, the old cannons placed at the entrance of the building show that this barracks has been important in the history of Praia for a long time. The architecture of Quartel Jaime Mota dates back to colonial times and, despite not being well preserved, it remains an interesting place for history buffs.

The Museums

The City of Praia has several spaces dedicated to showcasing the country’s history and Cape Verdean culture. We are talking about places such as the Ethnographic Museum of Praia, the Museological Nucleus of Praia, as well as the Amílcar Cabral House Museum, among others. Discover them.

Beaches on Santiago Island

One of Cape Verde’s biggest attractions is its climate and volcanic beaches. Therefore, we refer here to two of the most iconic beaches in Cidade da Praia, in Cape Verde:

Kebra Canela

Going down to the lower part of the city, you will easily find Praia de Kebra Canela. It is one of the best known, essentially for its privileged location and, therefore, it is possible to see, in the late afternoon, several people enjoying the beach, even after work.

Prainha

Prainha is one of the beaches preferred by the locals. It is a small beach, with little sand, which gives it an intimate atmosphere. Its location means that it does not have as many people as Kebra Canela, but it is still close to the most important areas of the city.

S. Francisco Beach

São Francisco Beach is a beach in the Airport area. It is a beach with a long stretch of sand, with palm trees, where people socialize and spend the day.

Cultural Events on Santiago Island

Cape Verdean music and art are fantastic. And, for those looking for things to do in Cidade da Praia, there are events throughout the year that allow you to get in touch with the local culture. Among these are:

Gamboa Festival

Traditionally held in Praia da Gamboa, but with a planned change of location, this festival is one of the most important that take place in Cape Verde, and where big names in national and international music have performed. With activities for children, at Gamboinha, and a contest to discover new musicians, the festival assumes importance in promoting musical culture in Praia.

Kriol Jazz Festival

The Kriol Jazz festival is an important cultural event promoting Criol music. This event promotes the interaction and sharing of sounds between different musicians, creating connections between artists from different countries and influences and promoting new talents. Not to be missed if you’re in town at this time.

Eat, Sleep and Socialize

What to eat?

On Santiago Island there are several food options, depending on your preference. In the more traditional restaurants you can eat the famous cachupa, the most iconic dish in Cape Verde, taste the delicious fresh fish that the sea has to offer, or try other local delicacies, such as pastel. On Santiago Island there are several food options, depending on your preference. In the more traditional restaurants you can eat the famous cachupa, the most iconic dish in Cape Verde, taste the delicious fresh fish that the sea has to offer, or try other local delicacies, such as pastel. If you prefer food with other influences, such as Portuguese or Italian, you can also find it.

Where to sleep?

There are several places to sleep. You can opt for more traditional guesthouses or well-known hotels. People often choose to stay in Cidade da Praia and visit the rest of the island from there, although there are more accommodation options in other towns. But the best hotels in Santiago are in Cidade da Praia.

Where to live together?

The feeling of a calm night in Cape Verde, the touch of the gentle sea breeze, the music playing in the background, with some mornas or koladeras, while enjoying a drink and snacking on anything, is fantastic. And there are several places where you can do it, in the city of Praia.

Places not to be missed

The island of Santiago, in Cape Verde, is much more than just Praia City. You can visit its interior, with places like Assomada and Serra da Malagueta, as well as Tarrafal, a village located in the extreme north of the island.

Old Town

Leaving the city of Santiago, you can find Cidade Velha, a UNESCO Heritage Site, whose historical importance is easy to understand, as it was a strategic point during past centuries. The city was destroyed more than once, and important archaeological discoveries are still being made in it today.
In Cidade Velha there is, among other attractions, a Pelourinho, a Church and the oldest street in Cape Verde, the famous Rua da Banana.
In the upper part of Cidade Velha it is possible to find the Fort of São Filipe, with its cannons pointed towards the sea, representing the previous times, when it served to defend the Cidade Velha against possible invaders.

Assomada

Assomada is one of the most important cities on the island of Santiago. There you can visit the market, which has local products, the Centro Cultural Museu da Tabanka, dedicated to this musical style and the history of Santa Catarina. You can still visit the Church of Assomada.

Tarrafal

The village of Tarrafal is located at the opposite point, on the island of Santiago, to Cidade da Praia. However, it is well worth visiting.
In it is possible to see the famous beach with white sand and the crystalline waters of the sea with the scenery being completed by the traditional fishing boats moored in the sand. This beach is one of the best in Cape Verde, along with those of the islands of Sal, Maio and Boa Vista. n the distance it is also possible to see the famous prisão do Tarrafal, where prisoners were taken in colonial times.
The center of Vila and a traditional market, together with the restaurants and hotels that you can find in this place, make Tarrafal a place of simplicity and calm that transmit well-being and harmony to those who visit it.

Praia Baixo

Praia Baixo, in the municipality of São Domingos, besides its beautiful beaches, is also an interesting place to visit for those who enjoy water sports(Kitesurfing, Surfing, Windsurfing and diving). You can also find the House of Sea Turtles there.

Serra da Malagueta

Serra da Malagueta, which belongs to a natural park, is one of the main places for those who want to see plants and birds. Located between three of the main cities on the island of Santiago, this mountain range is the highest on the island. For the curious and lovers of mountain trails, there are guides that can take you to Serra da Malagueta.