Santo Antão, the green island

Welcome to natural Santo Antão

Cabo Verde consists of ten islands, roughly in the shape of a horseshoe. Mountainous Santo Antão is the second largest of them, and a wonderful, authentic destination for anyone who loves trekking, hiking and culture.

Every island its own character

The islands lie more than 500 kilometres off the coast of Mauritania and Senegal. For centuries they were a Portuguese colony, and since independence in 1975 they have grown into a popular destination. Each island has its own character: busy Santiago with the capital Praia, São Vicente with its surf, kite spots and carnival, and Santo Antão for spectacular scenery, untouched nature and authenticity.

The main towns

Most inhabitants of Santo Antão live in the greener north of the island. The capital, Ribeira Grande, lies on the north coast. It is not a very touristy town, with only a few hotels and guesthouses, but it has nice little shops, local restaurants, a municipal food market and a clothing market.

On the southeast coast lies Porto Novo, where the ferries from Mindelo arrive. It is a picturesque little town with a harbour, old mansions and vendors selling fresh fish and goat's cheese. Enjoy the sunset with a view of the mountains of São Vicente and São Nicolau.

Mountains and micro climates

Santo Antão measures almost 800 square kilometres. The north receives a fair amount of rain, while the south and west are much drier. The high mountains create different micro climates: dry and tropical along the coast, semi arid higher up and even cool above 1,000 metres. The highest peak is the dormant volcano Topo da Coroa, almost 2,000 metres high, in the southwest.

Green and fertile

Santo Antão is considered the greenest and most fertile island of Cabo Verde. You find pine forests and palms, and fruit grows in abundance: papaya, oranges and mangoes. The rich volcanic soil is good for coffee, sugar cane and maize.

What to do on Santo Antão

• Hiking and trekking: countless beautiful trails, through green valleys with rare plants and spectacular views, and through the rugged, empty west with old lava flows and craters.
• Driving: the mountain road between Porto Novo and Ribeira Grande is an experience in itself. A 4x4 is a good idea for exploring further. See our car rental tips.
• Beaches: Santo Antão has both light and black volcanic beaches. For black sand, try Sinagoga near Ribeira Grande or Tarrafal in the southwest.

Getting there

The airport on Santo Antão has been closed for years, so the island is reached by ferry from the port of Mindelo to Porto Novo. That makes São Vicente the perfect base for a day trip or a longer stay. Check the current ferry schedule when you plan your trip.