Santiago - Capital & picturesque Villages
Santiago is the largest island of the Cape Verdean archipelago and is home to the capital, Praia. It is the most populated island of the Cape Verde Islands and is known for its picturesque villages, rich culture, and beautiful beaches.
Santiago – Bathing and Hiking
Santiago is the largest of the Cape Verdean islands and offers a varied landscape with fine beaches, mighty mountains, fertile valleys, and plateaus. As you can see on the map, the island is dominated by the Serra de Pico de Antónia and the Serra Malagueta. You can get to Santiago via the Nelson Mandela Airport near Praia or by boat through the port of Praia.
Santiago is home to more than half of the Cape Verdean population, most of whom live in the capital, Praia. The highest mountain on the island is Pico d’Antónia, at 1392m in the mountain range of the same name. The achadas (highlands) around the two giant mountains are rich in vegetation. In a valley in between, you will find the critical market town of Assomada, which is worth visiting.
The Serra Malagueta National Park in the north of the island is a must for nature lovers. You have to pay an entrance fee at the Centro de Interpretação Ambiental on the road from Tarrafal to Assomada. Be sure to take the receipt with you during your stay. You can also get information about hiking trails and brochures about plants and animals.
You can hike through a unique landscape in the national park with cliffs, canyons, and waterfalls. There are 26 plant species in the region that can only be found here. Rare bird species such as the Cape Storm Petrel (Gongon) can also be observed. A special highlight is the view of the coast and sea from the park’s highest points.
Please bring good shoes and sufficient food, as many hikes take several hours and offer no opportunity to stop for refreshments.
The Capital Praia
Praia, the capital of Santiago since 1858, is the governmental and economic center of the country and has a population of about 120,000 inhabitants. It is a vibrant and growing metropolis. Business people, diplomats, and government officials populate the city center, which also has a lot to offer to tourists.
There is the old city center on a plateau (Platô), the food market, the Museo Ethnográfico, the presidential palace, the parliament building, the ancient city fortress Bateira, and several beaches such as Praia Prainha or Quebra Canela. The Achada de Santo António neighborhood is famous for bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. The Mercado de Sucupira in Várzea is also worth a visit, offering a variety of goods such as clothing, African fabrics, household appliances, music, traditional handicrafts, and typical dishes.
In the middle of Praia Bay is a small rocky island, the Ilhéu Santa Maria. In the past, ships had to be quarantined there for 40 days before they were allowed to enter the mainland – and nobody thought of Corona then ;-)…
Cidade Velha & Tarrafal
In the east of the island, near the town of Calheta de São Miguel, is another tourist attraction: the historic city of Cidade Velha. The first Portuguese settlers settled there in the 15th century. Century. Here you can see the remains of a former colonial city, which was once an essential hub for slaves and goods between Africa and Europe.
The Fortaleza Real de São Filipe is a unique attraction, a large fortress built in 1593. At the time, English pirates were raiding ships and coastal towns increasingly frequently. The fort was built to defend against these attacks. Today, you can still see the foundations of the barracks, the powder tower, a cistern, and the ramparts. You will also have an impressive view of the entire region.
In the city, it is worth looking at the ruins of the Sé Catedral. It was built around 1700 as a bishop’s church. In 1754, however, the bishop moved to Santo Antão, and the church was left to decay. The Largo do Pelourinho, a spacious place at the sea, forms the center of Cidade Velha. Several cafés invite you to take a break between the square and the beach.
In Tarrafal, you will find one of the most beautiful beaches on the Cape Verde Islands. The half-moon-shaped sandy beach is lined with palm trees. Scuba divers also appreciate this area, where you will find a variety of fish in the rocky coastal areas. At noon, the fishermen return, their small boats bobbing leisurely in the harbor, giving the place a maritime flair. The fresh fish is immediately processed and sold in the adjacent fish market.
The small fishing village itself lies around the central Praça Central. You will find shops, restaurants, bars and the old market hall here. In the latter, local artists offer their works to tourists. There are only a few small hotels and pensions in the village.
Wine, Fruit and Vegetables
Santiago mainly produces red wines from different grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Wine production on Santiago is still in its infancy and has increased in the last few years. Several wineries on the island specialize in the production of high-quality wines. Cape Verdean wines are known for their fruity aromas and spicy flavors.
The wines are also available internationally and are appreciated by connoisseurs worldwide. It is worth visiting Santiago to taste some and learn more about the island’s wine production.
A variety of fruits and vegetables are grown on Santiago. These include Bananas, tomatoes, papayas, oranges, and melons. These are produced for the local kitchen as well as for export.
Assomada
Assomada is one of the larger cities of Santiago and is located in the country’s interior on a plateau on the road between Praia and Tarrafal. About 13,000 people live here. In the historic center, you will find renovated houses in colonial style. The church and the town hall are especially worth a visit. You should also visit the local market, a colorful hustle and bustle that reflects the joy of life and the African roots of the Kapverdians. The market is an important regional trade center for daily needs. Twice a week, there is also a national market.
The Museu da Tabanca is located about 5 km outside of Assomada. It is dedicated to the local culture, including tabanca music. The museum was inaugurated in 2000 in Assomada, the capital of Santa Catarina. In December 2008, it was moved to its current location in Chã de Tanque, also in Santa Catarina. It was reopened in November 2017 after a two-year renovation.
Music and Handicrafts
The music culture is diverse and rich in different styles and traditions. The Cape Verdeans have a long history of music influenced by African, Portuguese, and Latin American traditions.
A popular form of music in Santiago is the Morna, a type of music accompanied by guitar, piano, and vocals with melancholy lyrics. Morna originates in African slavery and has become an essential form of music in Santiago.
Another popular form of music on Santiago is the Coladeira, a type of music accompanied by guitar, piano and vocals, which has faster rhythms than the Morna. Coladeira originates in the Portuguese colonization of Cape Verde and is a popular form of music for celebrations and festivities.
You can find more information about the other islands of Cape Verde in our island overview. Everything you need to know about traveling to the Cape Verde Islands can be found in our blog article!