São Vicente: what to see and do
São Vicente forms part of Cape Verde's northern island group, the Barlavento Islands. Its neighbours are Santo Antão and Santa Luzia, with the Canal de São Vicente between it and Santo Antão. The island has a broadly rectangular outline, an area of 226.7 square kilometres and relatively flat terrain formed by volcanic activity.
What to see in Mindelo
Mindelo is a Cape Verdean city and the capital of São Vicente. It stands beside the natural harbour of Porto Grande Bay. The centre retains numerous colonial buildings dating to the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Fortim d'El Rei was constructed as a fortress in 1852, while the municipal market was built in 1878.
Portuguese settlement at Mindelo began in 1793. From 1838, the settlement served as a coal depot for British East India Company vessels. Town status followed in 1858. North of Porto Grande Bay is Ilhéu dos Pássaros, a small islet of rock.
The Mindelo walking tour covering history, culture and markets lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and includes a professional local guide, a guided visit to Rua Lisboa Walk of Fame, visits to the municipal, fish and African markets, and a walk past the Belém Tower replica and Church Square.
Monte Verde and the island
Monte Verde rises to 744 metres in eastern São Vicente. The mountain stands 6 km east of central Mindelo and belongs to Monte Verde Natural Park, an area of 3.12 square kilometres.
The guided São Vicente tour of markets, beaches and a nature park lasts 4 hours and includes a professional licensed guide, transport in a vehicle with air conditioning, a guided walk in central Mindelo, a visit to Monte Verde Natural Park and stops at Calhau, Salamansa and Baía das Gatas.
The Monte Verde hiking day trip lasts 3 hours and includes a professional local guide throughout the hike, interpretation of endemic plants and animals, and tea or coffee tasting at the Tea House, subject to availability.
Coastal villages and beaches
In the northeast of the island, Baía das Gatas is a village about 8 km east of Mindelo. Salamansa, a fishing village on the north coast, has a long sandy beach and is about 5 km from central Mindelo. Calhau is on São Vicente's eastern coastline. The beaches at Baía das Gatas, Calhau and São Pedro have white sand and receive many visitors.
The São Vicente half day tour of Monte Verde and villages lasts 4 hours and 30 minutes and includes comfortable vehicle transport, a local guide throughout, locally grown tea or coffee at the Monte Verde tea house, and stops at Monte Verde, Salamansa, Baia das Gatas, Norte Baía and Calhau.
The sunset walking tour to Dona Amélia lighthouse lasts 2 hours and includes a guided hike to Farol de Dona Amélia with a professional local guide throughout.
Music and culture
Mindelo has a reputation as Cape Verde's cultural capital. Cesária Évora, nicknamed the Barefoot Diva, was born there on 27 August 1941. Coladeira music is said to have originated on São Vicente. Mindelo celebrates carnival on dates shared with carnival in Brazil and Europe. Baía das Gatas has hosted its music festival annually since 1984, during an August weekend with a full moon.
Connections to Mindelo
Cesária Évora Airport serves São Vicente near São Pedro, in the southwest of the island. The airport took the singer's name officially in 2012. A national road links it with Mindelo. Much of Cape Verde's imported goods pass through Porto Grande, the country's principal port.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is the capital of São Vicente?
The island's capital is Mindelo.
What historic buildings are in Mindelo?
Mindelo has Fortim d'El Rei, built in 1852, and the municipal market, built in 1878.
Where is Monte Verde?
The mountain is in eastern São Vicente, 6 km east of central Mindelo.
Where is Salamansa?
Salamansa is on the north coast, about 5 km from central Mindelo, with a long sandy beach.
Where was Cesária Évora born?
Her birthplace was Mindelo, where she was born on 27 August 1941.
