The Cape Verde Island of Sal
Sal is one of the most famous islands of the Cape Verdean archipelago. It is known for its beautiful beaches and lively tourist scene. The island is flat and characterized by dry and semi-dry areas interrupted by dunes and salt lakes.
Sal – Summer, Sun, “No stress”
The Cape Verdean island of Sal is a true paradise for beach and sun lovers. The island is small and flat, and because of the lack of clouds, there are many hours of sunshine throughout the year. There are 340 days per calendar year without clouds or rain. The highest point is the Monte Grande, with only 405m in height.
The climate is warm and dry, influenced by the north-east trade winds. Due to its proximity to the equator, the island enjoys high temperatures throughout the year, averaging 26 degrees Celsius. The most elevated temperatures are in the summer when it can reach 35 degrees Celsius. The rainy season lasts from August to November, but even then, the showers are usually short and intense. The rest of the year is dry and sunny. About 20,000 people live on the island.
Mountains, valleys, national parks, or great cultural monuments cannot be found on Sal. All that counts here is the sun and the sea. Sunbathing or walks along the beach provide relaxation and recreation, while water sports offer a sporting balance. You can book excursions on Sal with TUI or with local providers. You can find out more about this in our holiday report:
Robinson Club Cabo Verde – Dream vacation on the sun island!
The capital Espargos
The capital, Espargos, is the island’s leading commercial and administrative center. The international airport, Amílar Cabral, is only four kilometers from the city center. The infrastructure is well-developed, and there are all kinds of shops, pharmacies, and doctors. Buses go to all the other significant towns from the island’s center. But be careful: there is no fixed schedule! The bus driver runs when there are enough passengers. This can take a while during off-peak hours. Then a taxi is the better choice for vacationers.
The tourist center of Santa Maria
Santa Maria is the tourist center. About 20 km from the capital, Espargos, you will find here beautiful beaches, shops, and apartments. Today, Santa Maria has about 6.500 inhabitants. The local restaurants offer a wide variety of fresh fish. Craftsmen and artists create art objects from simple stones, shells, and corals in small shops. Painters and rug weavers can also be found in town. If you want to take a souvenir home, buy it in a Cape Verdean shop and not from the African hawkers on the beach.
The weekly market in Santa Maria auf Sal at the Mercado Municipal is also worth a visit. Fresh fruit and vegetables. Lovely little shops with local products – jam, tea, coffee, grogue. You can even have clothes made to measure. There are restrooms and an ATM.
The nightlife in Santa Maria also has something to offer. Locals and tourists meet in the bars, restaurants, and discos every night. While enjoying a drink, you can listen to the music groups and talk about life. The sound of the waves adds to the friendly atmosphere and makes you feel like you are on vacation.
As the prices in Santa Maria increase in line with international standards, many locals are moving inland. The wind from November to April offers ideal conditions for wind and kite surfers looking for adrenaline. For swimmers, it can be difficult. During our vacation, the “red flag” flew most days. Around the city, you can find all kinds of water sports activities. There is a large selection of hotels in all price classes around Santa Maria.
The Port City of Palmira
The most important port city on the island is Palmira. It is located in the west of the island, and its wind-protected harbor supplies the entire island. Many of the local fishermen also have their colorful boats here. In the afternoon sunshine, they exude a relaxed atmosphere. Also, cruise ships sometimes stop here during a round trip and offer an impressive view with their size. Nice to see is the tradition of colored facades. These were used in the past as a substitute for house numbers.
Salinen de Pedra de Lume
Mural in Palmira
Santa Maria Pier
Sal – Kitesurfing
Top 5 Sehenswürdigkeiten auf Sal
1. Zipline Cabo Verde Sal
One of the newest attractions on the island is a gigantic zipline. With this, you fly at more than 1000 meters in length with a speed of over 100 km/h from the desert to the sea. Experience the natural beauty of Sal from a whole new perspective! An excursion there allows you to visit the Serra Negra nature reserve with its impressive landscape. Beverages and snacks will be available on-site. More information, pictures, and videos can be found on the operator’s Facebook page. I think it is one of the best outdoor activities on Sal. You can find my experience report on the Cabo Verde zipline here.
2. Salines Pedra de Lume
What do you have to see in Sal? In any case, the Salines Pedra de Lume. In the past, salt was mined on a large scale, giving the island its name. Today, it is mined on a smaller scale, mainly for the island’s use and for tourists. A visit to the Salines de Pedra de Lume, one of the most famous attractions, is highly recommended. High mountains surround the crater floor, which lies below the sea level. The interior of the crater is easily accessible through a tunnel.
Water flows in from the sea through channels, and the salt becomes more and more concentrated due to the enormous amount of evaporation. Here, you can take a refreshing bath in the salt water. The locals claim that ten minutes in the salt water makes you ten years younger! Whether this is true or not, letting yourself go for a while is a unique feeling. The salt content of the water is even higher than in the Dead Sea. The entrance fee for this fantastic experience is 5€. Afterward, you can take a shower, have a refreshment in the small café, and buy souvenirs. The old industrial facilities also offer great photo opportunities. We visited the salt pans on our excursion with Luna-Tours.
3. Buracona Olho Azul – The Blue Eye
Another attraction on the island of Sal is the Blue Eye. From Palmeira, this unique natural spectacle is only a few kilometers away. When it is particularly windy, the waves pound the cliffs, filling the air with mist. In calm weather, the bay becomes a swimming pool. The Blue Eye is a chasm in the cliff that glows a beautiful turquoise when the sun shines perfectly. The best time to visit is between 11 am and 1 pm. The Blue Eye is always open to groups. One can spend the waiting time walking to an outlook point and through a small botanical garden.
4. Port and Weigh House in Santa Maria
At the old port of Santa Maria, you will find the old Casa da Balança, a little hidden on the Praça Marcelo Leitão. Here, the salt was weighed before being shipped. In its heyday, up to 30,000 tons of salt were exported yearly. Today, the weigh house houses a souvenir shop.
The pier becomes an exciting place to visit when the fishermen return with their catch between 11:00 and 13:00, which is processed and sold right on the dock. It is a spectacle well worth a visit and a great photo opportunity. The Pontão was damaged by the only hurricane to hit the Cape Verde Islands in 2015 but has since been rebuilt and repaired. If you book a dive trip, you will most likely depart from the pier in Santa Maria.
5. Watch Lemon Sharks on Sal
Have you ever had a lemon shark swim through your legs? No, then you should try it on Sal, at least with the young ones. They swim well-protected in the shallow water of a riff right in front of the beach. On-site, you can rent shoes for 3€ to protect yourself from the sharp rocks. Together with a guide, you go into the water. Even though the small sharks are completely harmless and very curious, you should not try to touch them. Even small sharks have sharp teeth :-). A little further away in the deeper water, you can see the adult fish’s triangular back fins swimming back and forth.
Video: Sal Travel Guide
Festivals on Sal
Another highlight of Sal is its music culture and festivals, especially the annual Encontros da Cultura Cabo-verdiana. This festival brings together musicians and artists from the Cape Verde Islands and the rest of the world. Various styles of music are presented, including the famous Kapverdian blues.
The festival was created in 1994 and takes place every year in September. It attracts thousands of visitors and has become an exciting and rapidly growing event, attracting local and international artists. It is a fusion of many different styles and influences and a great spectacle. Kapverdians from all the islands and tourists come to the beach of Santa Maria to pitch their tents and spend the weekend. When the sun goes down, bonfires are lit, and the party goes on into the night.
Sal Turtles
Sal is an essential place for the reproduction of sea turtles, especially the hawksbill. These turtles lay their eggs on the beaches in the fall and winter, and the babies hatch in the spring and summer.
The hawksbill population is threatened by human activities such as fishing and tourism. There are several local private organizations and NGOs (www.projectbiodiversity.org) that are dedicated to the protection of the Cape turtles and informing the public about their ecological importance. With a visit to the information center and a small donation, you can support this vital cause.
In conclusion, Sal is an excellent place for a beach vacation because of its warm and sunny climate, beautiful beaches, and rich culture and history. The Salinas de Pedra de Lume, the capital Espargos, and the tourist center Santa Maria offer many possibilities to discover. At the same time, the music culture and the festivals are a welcome change and a particular highlight. Whether you are looking for relaxation on the beach, a cultural experience, or simply an unforgettable time, Sal is the perfect place for you.
For more information on the other islands of Cape Verde, please see our island guide. Everything you need to know about arriving in Cape Verde can be found in our blog article!
