Summer never ends in Cape Verde, a small archipelago off the coast of Senegal that is all about the stress-free life.
Each of the ten islands in the Cape Verde archipelago offers its own allure. The Santa Maria and Ponta Preta beaches on Sal, Praia de Chaves and Sal Rei in Boa Vista and Laginha Beach in Saō Vicente will tantalise any beach lover – and still possess a kind of untouched appeal that many more popular beach destinations have lost over the years – while the capital Praia in Santiago is a great place to explore Cape Verde’s unique Portuguese/African history (and bring a touch of Porto to Senegal).
Cape Verde’s unique topography also means that it offers beautiful volcanic hiking trails for the outdoor adventurer. The Fogo, Santo Antão, and São Nicolau are some of the most beautiful mountain hikes on the island, with Fogo home to an active volcano where adventure-seekers can hike up the crater to enjoy breath taking panoramic views of the island below. Oh, and Cape Verde gets quite windy in the winter, attracting hordes of kite surfers and windsurfers from around the world. If you’re looking to try out a new water sport, or simply watch the colourful kites sail by on the beach – then this is the holiday destination for you.
Due to its volcanic tropical landscape, Cape Verde is home to rich flora and fauna. Nature lovers have plenty to enjoy with whale watching, scuba diving and snorkelling giving travellers a rare glimpse into the rich marine biodiversity of Cape Verde. Mindelo and Sāo Vicente are known for its colourful nightlife scene, with live music performances serenading tourists well into the evenings.
In the summer, the whole island transforms thanks to the many colourful festivals that bring plenty of live music and performances to the islands. Not to mention, Cape Verde, which blends African and Portuguese culture, has some of the warmest and friendliest locals you could ever meet.
What we love most about Cape Verde though, is that unlike other more popular winter sun destinations, it still feels like a true hidden gem. So – to help you find book the perfect holiday in magical Cape Verde, we’ve rounded up some of the best hotels in Cape Verde, from blissful beachfront resorts and luxury hotels to adults-only hotels, aparthotels and boutique hotels in this truly wondrous archipelago.