Santo Antão

Why visit Santo Antão

Santo Antão has no airport and almost no beaches — and it is still many travellers’ favourite island. The reason is simple: it has the most spectacular scenery in Cape Verde. The mountainous, northern half is a green world of terraced valleys, knife-edge ridges and villages clinging to cliffs, laced with the best hiking trails in the country. Reached by a short ferry from São Vicente, it rewards anyone willing to slow down and walk.

Top things to do

• The Paúl valley — a lush ribbon of sugar cane, banana and coffee climbing from the sea to the Cova crater; the classic walk descends the crater rim into Paúl.
• The coastal cliff path — from Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas and Cruzinha, arguably the most photographed trail in Cape Verde.
• Ribeira Grande (Povoação) — the main town and a useful hiking base.
• Grogue distilleries — taste the local sugar-cane spirit at small family trapiches in the valleys.
• Xôxô and the ridge walks — dramatic, exposed routes for confident hikers.

Where to stay

• Ponta do Sol — a pretty coastal town, a favourite for its restaurants and views.
• Ribeira Grande — central and practical for reaching trailheads.
• Paúl valley — guesthouses among the greenery, closest to the best walking.

Getting there and around

There is no airport: fly to São Vicente, then take the ferry from Mindelo to Porto Novo (around an hour). From Porto Novo, shared aluguers and hired drivers tackle the mountain roads — including the old cobbled road over the spine of the island, an experience in itself. Build in a buffer day so a delayed ferry never threatens your flight home.

Who should skip Santo Antão

This is not a beach or resort island, and the winding roads and ferry put off some travellers. If you want to swim, sunbathe and stay all-inclusive, choose Sal or Boa Vista. For the ideal pairing of music and mountains, combine it with São Vicente — see the island-hopping guide.