The Cape Verde islands
Cape Verde, officially Cabo Verde, is an archipelago of ten volcanic islands — nine of them inhabited — scattered across the Atlantic off West Africa. They are strikingly different: flat beach islands, green hiking islands, a live volcano and the cultural capital of Mindelo. Here is how to tell them apart.
Islands you can fly to
Direct flights Sal
5–7 nightsFlat, sunny and built for a first beach holiday
Explore Sal
Direct flights Boa Vista
5–7 nightsEndless dunes, empty beaches and nesting turtles
Explore Boa Vista
Domestic flights São Vicente
2–4 nightsMindelo — the cultural and musical heart of the islands
Explore São Vicente
Direct flights Santiago
3–5 nightsThe biggest island — capital city, history and real life
Explore Santiago
Domestic flights Fogo
2–4 nightsA living volcano you can climb and sleep beside
Explore Fogo
Domestic flights São Nicolau
2–3 nightsQuiet green mountains with almost no tourism
Explore São Nicolau
Domestic flights Maio
2–3 nightsThe sleepiest beach island, close to Santiago
Explore MaioReached by ferry
These islands have no working airport — plan a buffer day for the crossing.
Ferry only Santo Antão
3–5 nightsThe greenest island and Cape Verde’s hiking capital
Explore Santo Antão
Ferry only Brava
2–3 nightsThe smallest, remotest inhabited island — “the island of flowers”
Explore BravaNot sure which to pick?
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