Sal — The Sun Island

Sal (Portuguese for "Salt") is the most touristy island of Cape Verde — and for good reason. The small, flat island of just 216 km² in the northeast of the archipelago offers what many travelers seek: endless beaches, perfect bathing weather, and a developed tourist infrastructure. The international airport Amílcar Cabral makes Sal the main gateway for European visitors.

The heart of tourist life beats in Santa Maria at the southern tip of the island. The former fishing village has developed into a charming holiday town — with colorful houses along a sandy main street, restaurants with fresh fish, surf shops, and one of the most beautiful city beaches in Cape Verde. Despite the tourist development, Santa Maria has retained its charm: fishermen pull their boats ashore in the morning, children play football between the houses, and in the evening, the bars transform into live music stages.

Away from Santa Maria, Sal is surprisingly barren and empty: A desert landscape of volcanic rock, sand dunes, and dried-up salt lakes stretches across the entire island. The former capital Espargos in the center is a functional small town that primarily serves as a supply point. The northern tip around Terra Boa is a surreal desert plain where mirages and lunar landscapes merge. Plan 3–5 days for Sal — enough time for beach, wind, and island tours.