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Travel Guide Cape Verde
more
  • Santiago - the largest of the Cape Verde islands
    Santiago - the largest of the Cape Verde islands Photo: Samuel B., Adobe Stock

Cape Verde

Cape Verde - a group of islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, which certainly does not lack in character. Reachable from Central Europe in about six hours by plane, the islands are often compared to the Caribbean. Miles of sandy beaches await visitors here, as do fiery volcanoes and a fascinating underwater world. But also culturally the archipelago with its African and European influences has a lot to offer.

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Activities at Cape Verde


Hiking in Cape Verde: Xôxô Valley, Santo Antao
hikes
mountain hikes
Crags
trail runs

Attractions at Cape Verde


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Hiking route · Cape Verde
Vom Paul Tal auf den Pico da Cruz
PremiumPremium content Difficulty moderate
Distance 12.4 km
Duration 7:00 h
Ascent 1,289 m
Descent 1,289 m

Lohnende Wanderung aus dem beeindruckenden Paul Tal auf den höchsten Gipfel im Osten von Santo Antão. Anstrengend, abwechslungsreich und voller ...

from Christian Reiser,   Outdooractive Premium
Hiking route · Cape Verde
Calhau - Baía das Gatas: "Black & White"
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 11.8 km
Duration 4:00 h
Ascent 109 m
Descent 112 m

Die wohl schönste Wanderung auf São Vicente verbindet einen „Vulkan zum Angreifen“ mit karibischem Flair und endet an einem Badestrand. Der ...

1
from Wolfgang Drexler,   alpenvereinaktiv.com
Hiking route · Cape Verde
Monte Verde (750 m)
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 4.1 km
Duration 2:30 h
Ascent 671 m
Descent 243 m

Monte Verde heißt die höchste Erhebung auf São Vicente. Sie bietet nicht nur einen hervorragenden Rundblick, sondern im Gipfelbereich auch ein ...

1
from Wolfgang Drexler,   alpenvereinaktiv.com
Hiking route · Cape Verde
Alto Mira – Chã de Morte – Quinta Cochete
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 9.1 km
Duration 4:00 h
Ascent 533 m
Descent 502 m

Diese relativ kurze Wanderung ist geprägt von erodierten Spaltenfüllungen, die als freigelegte Basaltmauern senkrecht in den Himmel ragen.

1
from Wolfgang Drexler,   alpenvereinaktiv.com
Hiking route · Cape Verde
Cruzinha - Selada do Mocho - Cruzinha
Toprecommended route Difficulty easy
Distance 8.5 km
Duration 3:30 h
Ascent 431 m
Descent 431 m

Diese kurze, aber lohnende Rundwanderung bietet einen interessanten Einblick in typische Landschaften und Lebensrealitäten an der Nordküste von ...

from Wolfgang Drexler,   alpenvereinaktiv.com
Hiking route · Cape Verde
Branquinho - Figueiras - Cruzinha (1,5 Tage)
Toprecommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 21.5 km
Duration 9:30 h
Ascent 2,207 m
Descent 2,278 m

Eine Küstenwanderung der Superlative durch den abgelegensten Teil der Insel Santo Antão: Der Ort Figueiras ist auch im 21. Jh. immer noch mit ...

from Wolfgang Drexler,   alpenvereinaktiv.com
Mountain Hike · Cape Verde
Curral das Vacas - Bordeira de Norte - Monte Lajes
Toprecommended route Difficulty difficult
Distance 10.5 km
Duration 6:30 h
Ascent 1,397 m
Descent 631 m

Eine Tour voller Kontraste: Von steil und eng geht es zu weit und flach, auf vollendete Wegebaukunst folgt einsame Weglosigkeit.

from Wolfgang Drexler,   alpenvereinaktiv.com
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Geography and population

The state of Cabo Verde, consisting of the Cape Verde Islands, is located at the level of Senegal off the west coast of Africa. The capital, Praia, is located on the island of Santiago, where the majority of the population lives. The official language of the islands is Portuguese, whereas in everyday life and in the areas of art and culture, Cape Verdean Creole is mostly spoken.

The archipelago of Cape Verde is of volcanic origin. The highest elevation is the 2929 m high Pico do Fogo, which is still active and last awoke in 2014.

Praia on Santiago, Cape Verde
Photo: Pedro, Adobe Stock
Pico do Fogo
Photo: daboost, Adobe Stock
Volcano on the Cape Verde island of São Vicente
Photo: daboost, Adobe Stock
Sunset in Cape Verde
Photo: Susen Reuter, Adobe Stock

Impressions from Cape Verde: The beach of Praia on the largest island of Santiago, the famous volcano Pico do Fogo on the island of Fogo, sunset on Cape Verde and the volcanic landscape on Sao Vincente. 

Characteristics of the islands and outdoor activities

The nine inhabited islands have very different appearances. While the eastern islands of Sal, Boavista and Maio are flat and dry, the western islands are mountainous. On Santo Antão, São Vicente, São Nicolao, Santiago, Fogo and Brava you can see mountain ranges, green valleys and volcanoes. The climate is pleasantly mild all year round so that even in the German winter a swimming vacation is possible.

The islands of Sal and Boavista are particularly popular among swimmers, but surfers and divers also feel at home here. From October to mid-July, during the "time of the winds", the northeast trade wind is active, which is very popular among windsurfers.

Hikes at Cape Verde

Cape Verde, Cabo Verde, the great Cape, volcanic islands off the north-west coast of Africa. In the middle of the ...

Outdooractive Editors

In addition, the islands of Cape Verde are a true paradise for hikers and mountaineers. Santo Antão, Fogo and São Nicolao are particularly suitable as hiking islands. Since the Cape Verde Islands are not as touristy as other islands, you can go here in solitude and tranquility and enjoy absolute dream hikes.

A small but nice hike leads you to the primeval tree of Assomada on the island of Santiago, for example. Real mountaineers can climb the highest mountain on Santo Antão, the Tope de Coroa.

To the primeval tree of Assomada
To the highest mountain of Santo Antão - Tope de Coroa
Bordeira: Via ferrata and high route (Fogo Island, Cabo Verde - Cape Verde)
Monuments & Oases in Val de Martiene

A colorful culture

Due to its history, Cape Verde has developed a culture in which both African and Portuguese elements are noticeable. This is evident, for example, in Cape Verdean music, which reflects a wide variety of styles. Among the best-known musical styles are the traditional morna and the rhythmic coladeira.

The national dish of the islands is cachupa, a hearty stew with mashed corn, green bananas, pumpkin and cabbage. For dessert, people enjoy the fruits of the islands.

Colorful houses and flowering trees on the island of Maio
Photo: Elena Skalovskaia, Adobe Stock

Trip planning


Weather

Webcams

  • Webcam · Cape Verde
    Santa Maria: Pontao
  • Webcam · Cape Verde
    Santa Maria: Ponta Preta
  • Webcam · Cape Verde
    Palmeira: Kite Beach - Sal Cape Verde - Sal
Show all Webcams at Cape Verde

Getting there

Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Reviews

  39
Alto Mira – Chã de Morte – Quinta Cochete by Christian
April 17, 2024 · Outdooractive Editors
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Route done on February 14, 2022
Erdgeschichte zum Anfassen
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Wie von Menschenhand gemacht
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Wandern durch eine bizarre Landschaft
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Comment
Ribeira da Torre (Xòxò) – Agua das Caldeiras by Christian
April 16, 2024 · Outdooractive Editors
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Route done on February 11, 2022
Der Turm bei Xòxò ist der Blickfang zu Beginn der Tour
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
In nicht enden wollenden Serpentinen überwindet der "Wander-Highway" die steile Wand
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Tolle Ausblicke
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Der Basalt formt messerscharfe Grate und spitze Türme
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Beim Abstieg in den Krater
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Eine wunderschöne Landschaft
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Wie man sieht: Fußball hat selbst bei den beengten Platzverhältnissen im schmalen Talboden Priorität
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Comment
Lombo Branco – Pau Sec – Pinhão – Ribeira Grande by Christian
April 16, 2024 · Outdooractive Editors
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Route done on February 10, 2022
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Photo: Christian Reiser, Outdooractive Editors
Comment
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Destinations at Cape Verde



Localization

Parts of this content were machine translated using German as the source language

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