Cape Verde holidays

From sprawling beaches to lunar-like landscapes, holidays to Cape Verde line up stellar scenery – not to mention year-round sun.

The Cape Verde Islands

Cape Verde is located off the west coast of Africa, and is made up of 10 islands floating in the Atlantic Ocean. It takes around six hours to fly here from the UK, and year-round sun means there's plenty of choice for when to go. They’re still fairly new to the travel circuit, which makes them a great pick for off-the-beaten-track breaks. But with their long sandy beaches, lively surf and modern hotels, they’re quickly making a name for themselves.

Sal

Cape Verde’s most popular island is Sal, which is known for its striking, moon-like landscape. It’s dotted with colourful, cobbled towns, like Santa Maria in the south, where you’ll find surf shops, traditional restaurants and a square lined with al fresco cafés. The main attraction, though, is the beach, which stretches out for eight kilometres. Watersports are a big draw, but the sea can sometimes get a little choppy, so sunbathing's a popular fallback.

Boa Vista

You’ll find plenty more in the way of beaches over on Boa Vista, which translates to ‘beautiful view’. In fact, the sugar-coloured sands here halo the coastline for 55 uninterrupted kilometres. Praia Chave deserves a special mention, thanks to its creamy swathes and shape-shifting dunes.

Cultural melting pot

Whichever island you opt for, expect a melting pot of cultures. The Portuguese originally discovered Cape Verde, so there’s a mixture of African, Brazilian and Portuguese influences. You’ll see it in the island’s music, fashion and – perhaps most clearly – the food.