Top Praia How to Get Around

Set off on a tour of Cape Verde’s Santiago Island during this half-day excursion. Join a small group and visit the island’s top highlights including Praia City Hall, Cidade Velha, the Se Cathedral, and the traditional houses of Banana Street. As you explore, your guide provides commentary on the history and culture of Cape Verde, shedding light on the first city built by Europeans in sub-Saharan Africa.

Explore Calabaceira, a village in the southern part of the island of Santiago, on this guided half-day trek from Praia. Admire the lush vegetation in the valley, and explore the history of Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Convent of São Francisco, the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário, and more. Plus, learn about agriculture from local farmers.

Get to know Praia the way the locals do on this private guided tour. Visit museums, cathedrals, palaces, markets, and more as you learn about the history of the area from our local guide. Taste local produce and see some of the forest buildings built by European settles, including fortresses to defend against pirate attacks

Enjoy a full-day tour exploring the interior and coast of Santiago Island, the best way to discover Cape Verde’s culture, history, and landscapes. After morning pickup, travel to São Domingos, Órgãos, and Picos to admire impressive mountains. Continue to Assomada City to visit the local market and experience daily island life. Stop at Good Entry to see the largest and oldest tree in Cape Verde, the 700 - year-old Kapok tree. Visit Serra Malagueta Natural Park for breathtaking views from 1,000 meters above sea level. Head to Tarrafal City to explore the historic concentration camp, relax on Tarrafal Beach, and enjoy time for swimming and lunch. In the afternoon, drive along the east coast to the Rabelados village, then continue through Calheta to Pedra Badejo to see the country’s largest banana plantation. This tour combines nature, culture, history, and beach time for an authentic Santiago Island experience.

Hiking with a guide through Serra Malagueta ensures you don’t get lost on the network of trails. Nature lovers enjoy exploring this forested region of Santiago. Search for endemic plant and animal species and stop for photos at the viewpoint. Snacks, admission fees, and pickup in Praia are included in the tour.

Learn more about Cape Verde’s culture and traditions when you take this tour of Santiago Island. With a small group, visit the largest banana and coconut plantation in the country for a walk through the fields. Learn about the local fruits that grow on the island and then visit the home of a local family where you learn to make traditional dishes from scratch.

With a private guide to point out the landmarks, this half-day trip from Praia to Cidade Velha is personalized. You’ll visit Fortaleza Real de San Felipe, which looms above this World Heritage–listed city on Santiago. Entrance fees are also included to Sé Cathedral, Pelourinho (the pillory), and the Church of Our Lady of Rosário.

Embark on a local adventure, discovering the vibrant heart of Cape Verde, on this small-group tour. Journey through plantations and historical sites, see the vast banana and coconut fields in Santa Cruz, and explore the unique botanical wonders of Orgãos village. You also learn about the rich heritage of rum-making, tasting sugarcane delights, and visiting a rum distillery.

Take a private tour and explore Santiago's highlights with a local tour guide. Experience a workshop with a local family and learn to make Cape Verde's famous cuscus. Visit the colorful Assomada Market and cross the Serra Malagueta Natural Park to take a dip at Tarrafal beach, the most beautiful on the island. Meet the community that preserves Cape Verde's oldest customs and learn about the local culture.

This unique hike takes you through the lush Ribeira Grande valley, rich in local flora and fauna. One of the main highlights is a stop at Cape Verde’s largest and oldest baobab tree, over 400 years old — a perfect spot for unforgettable photos. You’ll also learn how grogue, the national drink of Cape Verde, is traditionally made, and may even spot the country’s most iconic bird, a proud national symbol. The journey ends in Cidade Velha, the cradle of Cape Verdean culture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you'll explore historical landmarks like Rua Banana, the old church, and the Pelourinho, before being driven back to your accommodation.

Spend the day relaxing on the most beautiful beach on the island. Take a boat trip to the lighthouse, snorkel and enjoy stunning views of Tarrafal bay. Get to know the local marine life while your staff prepares a delicious barbecue on the beach.

You will have an incredible day where you can refresh yourself while discovering places that will surprise your eyes. In the morning, you will be on a boat to discover one of the 7 wonders of Santiago Island. During the afternoon you can relax in the natural pool and on the long beach of fine black sand at Ribeira das Pratas.

Discover the two faces of Santiago in one day! This exclusive tour takes you from the vibrant energy of the Planalto and the Sucupira market in Praia, to the historic tranquility of the Old Town (world heritage) and the D. Maria Pia Lighthouse. An authentic dive into the Cape Verdean soul, where culture, history and stunning landscapes meet. Perfect for those who want to live the island beyond the obvious, with local guides and strategic stops for unforgettable photos.

This tour is ideal for those who want to get around like a local in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde. Discover the best restaurants, bars, and cafes in Praia, learn about the city's history and culture, and find out what to do and see on a visit to Santiago Island. This tour is the perfect way to make the most of your stay in this lively port city.

Im this tour we gonna anderstand the history of cape verd, and see the beatifull constrution build by portuguese im century 14. The island of Santiago was discovered by António da Noli, a Genoese in Portuguese service, in 1460. Da Noli settled at Ribeira Grande with his family members and Portuguese from Algarve and Alentejo in 1462. The settling conditions were good due to the abundance of water from the river Ribeira Grande, which gave it an advantage over the other settlement on Santiago, Alcatrazes. The settlement became a key port of call for Portuguese colonisation towards Africa and South America. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it was a centre of maritime trade between Africa, the Cape, Brazil and the Caribbean. Due to its proximity to the African coast, it was an essential platform for the trade of enslaved persons.

The Tarrafal Experience is more than just a walk — it’s a jorna DA engaging through the heart of Cape Verde’s history and the natural beauty OF the city of Tarrafal. This full-day experience combines historical reflection, DE discovery and moments OF leisure by the sea, all in one unforgettable route through the island of Santiago. The tour begins with a guided visit to the Tarrafal Concentration Camp, also known as “Late Death Camp” — one of the most impactful landmarks DA the fight against colonialism in Africa. This memory space preserves the echoes OF resistance OF political prisoners DE Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde during the Portuguese colonial regime.After the historic immersion, it’s time DE relax and explore the welcoming side of Tarrafal—a charming Villa with paradisiacal beaches, warm people and rich cultural life.

Let our local guides show you the sights of Santiago Island on this private tour. See fortresses built against pirate attacks, the ruins of ancient cathedrals, even visit a former slave market, now used as a fish market. Talk to locals, try a local cooking workshop, and swim in the clear blue sea before being dropped back at your accommodation.

Ascend to the height of the Pice D'Antónia Mountain. Traverse diverse terrain including agricultural fields growing corn and mango, local homes, and families. Hike up the mountain and enjoy stunning views, including of Fogo Island with a volcano and indulge in lunch. Moving through Estação de Monte Tchota National Park, discover native plants and birds before finishing at the village of Rui Vaz.

This private tour takes you and your family or friends all over Cape Verde, with four days of exploration to UNESCO World Heritage sites, local markets, indigenous tribes, and gorgeous beaches. You’ll visit Cidade Velha, tour all of Santiago Island and Tarrafal Beach, and much more. Accommodation and several meals are taken care of, so you can spend your time sightseeing and enjoying, not planning.

Explore the less touristy side of Cape Varde on this small group day tour to Miao Island and the surrounding area. You’ll meet your guide at the port or your hotel in Praia, then make your way to the ferry (additional expense). Once you’re on Maio Island, you’ll explore with your small, intimate group and see sites like Porto Ingles Salinas wetland, Morro village, and much more.

This hassle-free tour is one of the best ways to explore all of Tarrafal island, visiting farms, mountains, markets, protected parks, and much more. You have convenient hotel pickup and drop-off, plus transportation provided for the entire tour taking you to all corners of the island. Visit the Eco Center (additional fee) to see local animals and plants, visit the Casa De Rabelados community, and enjoy an included lunch, too.

Set out on a journey to explore the diverse landscapes of Santiago Island, from picturesque valleys to historic sites, on this small-group tour. Discover vibrant markets in São Domingos and Assomada, visit São Jorge's botanical garden, and delve into the history of Tarrafal's prison-turned-museum. Relax in the azure waters of Tarrafal Bay and visit Rabelados village, where unique traditions thrive against the odds.

Explore Serra Malagueta Natural Park at an altitude of 1,064 meters. Enjoy beautiful landscapes between mountains and valleys, and visit the Rabelados, the community that preserves Cape Verde's oldest customs.