Holidays to Cape Verde
With year-round sunshine, fun-packed resorts and beaches that give the Caribbean a run for its money (minus the Caribbean’s big money price tag), holidays to Cape Verde are perfect for summer breaks and winter escapes.
Sea, sand and sun-loungers
Long, white stretches of sand, warm waters and plenty of empty space to fall asleep on your sun-lounger? Yep, the landscapes of this African archipelago really do look like something from a postcard!
Cape Verde’s most popular island, Sal, boasts some of the best beaches, with endless stretches of blonde sand packed with an equally long list of activities. Head here if tanning, swimming and sipping cocktails is your idea of holiday heaven.
African adventures
If you prefer climbing to caipirinhas (or you fancy working up a thirst first), Cape Verde doesn’t disappoint. Take to the trails of Santiago, Fogo Island or Serra Malagueta Natural Park for volcanic hikes, lava fields and walks with wildlife, be it birds, butterflies or elusive monkeys.
On Santiago? A dip in the natural pool at Ribeira da Prata and the jaw-to-the-floor sunset at Tarrafal Beach will be your reward after a hard day’s hike.
European culture off the African coast
Cape Verde may sit around 460km (285 miles) off the coast of Senegal, but more than 500 years of Portuguese history give the island a distinct mix of cultures.
The former colonial capital of Cidade Velha is the perfect place to experience this small country’s unique melting pot of cultures. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, many of its original stone houses and marble architecture remain well preserved.
A quiet night out
Laidback night owls will love Cape Verde’s modern-day capital of Praia – it prides itself on slow-paced socialising.
But that’s not to say you can’t hit the city’s bars, clubs and karaoke rooms, as there are plenty to choose from. Do it at your leisure. After all, Cape Verde isn’t the place to come if you’re in a rush.
Sneak Peek
Best for... Winter-sun worshippers, outdoor adventurers and history buffs ☀️
Go... In December or January for cheap winter sun and 25C+ temperatures 🤑
You have to... Drink straight from a coconut at Santa Maria beach 🥥
Cape Verde holiday deals
Hotel Riu Touareg
4.3
Excellent
- 31 Mar 2026
- 7 nights
- All-inclusive
- From Manchester
Prices from
Hotel Riu Palace Boavista
4.7
Excellent
- 31 Mar 2026
- 7 nights
- All-inclusive
- From Manchester
Prices from
Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort
4.3
Excellent
- 24 Jan 2026
- 7 nights
- Bed & breakfast
- From Manchester
Prices from
Hotel Riu Cabo Verde
4.6
Excellent
- 3 Jan 2026
- 7 nights
- All-inclusive
- From Manchester
Prices from
Details
Currency
Cape Verde Escudo
Language
Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese
Time difference
GMT -1
Cost of a beer
290 CVE
3-course meal
2,000 CVE
Flight time
5-6 hrs
Tan topping and turtle spotting
For a crowd-free spot on the sand, head for Baixo Rocha Beach, where you’ll have nothing but the sound of lapping waves for company. We really mean it: there’s little in the way of refreshments here, so pack your beach bag before you set off. For more well-stocked shores, pay a visit to Santa Maria for shops, restaurants and hotels that meet your every need just steps from the sand. If you’re here between July and October, keep an eye out for loggerhead turtles on their way to lay eggs.
Taste traditional Creole creations
European and African influences have certainly left their mark on Cape Verde’s cuisine but many dishes are entirely unique. Start with a bowl of cachupa stew – the archipelago’s national dish that’s infused with beans, corn, vegetables and a choice of fish or meat. Adventurous appetite? Head to the beach for a barnacle. Known locally as cracas, they’re served on the rocks (literally) with a slice of lemon and a pointy stick to grab it from its shell. It’s best washed down with a shot of grogue.
Take a walk back in time
For a whistlestop tour of Cape Verde’s cultural highlights, head to Santiago. Whether you go with a guide or a guidebook, be sure to take in the colonial architecture on display at Praia City Hall and the stone houses of historical Banana Street (Rua Banana). The rest of the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Cidade Velha is essential touristing too. With many original town features still intact, you’ll get a glimpse of what life was once like in the earliest days of Portuguese occupation.
When to go to Cape Verde
Cape Verde has two key temperatures: warm and warmer. Its coldest month is November, which racks up an average daily temp of ‘just’ 25C.
For maximum sunbathing, book a trip in 30C-plus September. To hit the tourist trail without working up too much of a sweat, consider December to February when the mercury hovers between a hard-to-resist 26C and 28C.
Price your priority? Visit Cape Verde in June, July or August – a last-minute summer booking is one of the best times to bag a bargain, especially if you can be flexible.
