Cabo Verde

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Cape Verde, Fogo Island, Pico Volcano (9 281,50 ft)
Cape Verde, Fogo Island, Pico Volcano (9 281,50 ft)

Image by Franck Guiziou / Getty Images

Overview

Jutting up from the Atlantic, some 311 miles (500km) west of Senegal, Cabo Verde is a stunning island chain with a captivating blend of mountains, beaches and peaceful seaside villages. On Santo Antão, craggy peaks hide piercing green valleys of flowers and sugar cane, ideal for epic hikes.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Volcano on Fogo, Cape Verde Islands, Africa

Pico do Fogo

Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde's highest peak (2829m/9382ft), the conical, cinder-clad Mt Fogo, rises dramatically out of the floor of an ancient crater known as Chã das…

Fish Market

Mindelo

The city's photogenic fish market lies just beyond Torre de Belém, with a jetty right behind it where fishermen unload their daily catch.

Dja'r Fogo

Cabo Verde

A must-stop for visitors interested in history, culture and coffee, Dja'r Fogo is run by a local artist who splits his time between Lisbon, Paris and Fogo…

Tarrafal Concentration Camp

Cabo Verde

On the main highway about 1km before the centre of Tarrafal is the ominous former Tarrafal Concentration Camp. Here Portuguese authorities used to hold…

Pedra do Lume

Sal

A great attraction is this surreal, lunarlike crater of an ancient volcano, where seawater is transformed into shimmering salt beds. You can see the old…

Museu do Mar

Mindelo

Inside the Torre de Belém, Mindelo's most intriguing museum gives an overview of São Vicente's history, from the island's role in the triangular trade to…

Museu Municipal

Cabo Verde

Pop into this airy colonial mansion with two floors of exhibits, showcasing old photographs, traditional music instruments, sewing machines and sundry…

Sala-Museu Amilcar Cabral

Cabo Verde

This small museum and foundation is dedicated to preserving the memory of freedom fighter Amilcar Cabral (1924–73). Photographs and other memorabilia shed…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Places to Visit

Golden beaches, incredible hikes, active volcanoes, vibrant culture – the islands of Cabo Verde have it all and more. Here's how to pick the one for you.

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