7-Day Itinerary for Exploring Cape Verde

Day 1: Arrival in Praia (São Vicente Island)

• Arrival: Santa Maria International Airport (Santiago Island) is the main gateway to Cape Verde. From there, take a short flight or ferry to Praia, the capital city of São Vicente Island.
• Activities: Explore the vibrant town of Mindelo, visit Forte Real Santo Antonio and enjoy the local music scene at Casa Kiza. Don’t miss out on the sunset view from Ponto Preto.
• Things to Know: The official language is Portuguese, but Creole is widely spoken. The local currency is Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE), although Euros are also accepted in many places.

Day 2: Sal Island

• Transportation: Take a morning flight or ferry to Sal Island.
• Activities: Visit the Kitesurfing Mecca of Cabo Verde - Santa Maria. Enjoy the beautiful beaches, especially Kite Beach and Tchavelas. Don’t forget to try the local seafood.

Day 3: Boa Vista Island

• Transportation: Take a ferry to Boa Vista Island in the afternoon.
• Activities: Explore the Rabil village, visit the Viveiro beach and the famous “Morro do Estanque” for sunset views.

Day 4: Free Day - Boa Vista Island

• Activities: Spend a relaxed day on one of Boa Vista’s beautiful beaches, or take part in activities like camel riding, dune buggy adventures, or bird watching.

Day 5: Maio Island

• Transportation: Take a morning ferry to Maio Island.
• Activities: Visit the ancient village of Vila do Maio and relax on the beautiful beaches like Praia de Morena. Don’t forget to try the local delicacy - maio cheese.

Day 6: Santiago Island

• Transportation: Take a ferry back to Santiago Island in the morning, and travel to the second city, Assomada or Ponta Delgada.
• Activities: Visit the Ribeira Grande, a beautiful town nestled between mountains and the sea. Explore the Cova da Velha, an archeological site with prehistoric cave paintings.

Day 7: Return

• Departure: Spend your last day shopping for souvenirs in Praia or relaxing on the beach before your return flight from Santa Maria International Airport.

Visa Requirements: Most nationalities do not need a visa to enter Cape Verde for up to 30 days. However, it’s always best to check with your local embassy to confirm.

Transportation: The most common way to travel between islands is by air. There are daily flights between the main islands and more frequent flights during peak tourist season. Ferry services are also available but less frequent and can take longer. Renting a car or scooter is a great way to explore each island at your own pace.