Thu, 06.11.2025: Two island transfers and Praia, Santiago

Flight via Santiago to Mindelo, the secret capital of Cape Verde. In the past, the city was a trade centre with its large port and known as “the gateway to the Atlantic.” Today it is famous for its music scene, which is especially lively on weekends. City tour of the historic centre and dinner with live music in Mindelo. Domestic flights: 30 min. and 50 min. City tour: 1 hour. Overnight stay: 1 night, Hotel Oásis Atlantico Porto Grande, Standard Room

We arrived at the airport at 8 but it did open till 9. In the end we waited 4 hr for the morning flight which meant that we had much less time for sightseeing in Paria and Mindelo, but still enough to catch the second flight we wanted for Mindelo on the island of San Vincente. There were good views of Fogo from the plane although it was somewhat hazy.

The city tour of the historic Platô (plateau) in Praia had not taken place on the first day for lack of time but it could be carried out on this day. Praia, situated on the southern shore of Santiago Island, is the capital of Cabo Verde. A large bronze statue portrays Diogo Gomes, who had accompanied António de Noli on his voyage of discovery of the islands, and who claimed to have been the first to land on Santiago and the first to name the island. Next to his statue a plaque records that Santiago was the first stop of Charles Darwin’s voyage with HMS Beagle in 1832. The port is used today mainly to ship agricultural products such as bananas, coffee and sugarcane.

Because of the flight delays the city tour of Mindelo was postponed until our return journey, but the dinner with live music was entertaining. We were up early again the next day for the ferry to Porto Novo on Santo Antao which was much more pleasant than hanging round airports. We could then enjoy the next 3 days in one place, without any air travel.