Holidays to Cape Verde are an ideal island combo of sweeping beaches, wild watersports and local party life.
African archipelago
This archipelago floats in the North Atlantic, about 300 miles off the west coast of Africa. It was originally discovered by explorers from Portugal, so you’ll find a fusion of inspiration here that packs in Portuguese, Creole and even Brazilian influences. Cape Verde – or Cabo Verde to say it the official Portuguese way – is made up of 10 islands, with sunny weather all year round. Whichever island you pick, you’ll find long, sandy beaches ready for surfing, and modern hotels serving international flavours.
A tale of two islands
When it comes to getaways to Cape Verde, you’ve got a pair of big-name islands to pick from – Sal and Boa Vista. Boa Vista is home to 55 kilometres of beaches, and if you’re getting your Insta filters at the ready, no need. Most have only gone and got stunning white sands with tropical turquoise seas. The best beach of the lot is Santa Monica, which, unlike its Californian counterpart, is pretty much untouched. Sal, meanwhile, ticks most of the same boxes but is the smaller – and more popular – of the pair. Plus, the colourful town of Santa Maria rolls out a hotel-lined, golden strip of sand and is the party hotspot of the island for making the most of that long-haul escape.
Love for live music
Spotify is for the plane only – Cape Verde holidays are all about the music, covering all kinds of local and international genres. You’ll hear funaná – an upbeat tune usually played on an accordion – to embrace the local party vibe. And, at the other end of the scale, you’ll find the morna. It’s a more dramatic piece of music and dancers tend to sway to the beat in a rumba-style.
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