Holiday in São Vicente

What makes São Vicente special as a destination?

São Vicente is the cultural capital of Cape Verde — home to Mindelo, the liveliest city of the archipelago and birthplace of Cesaria Evora, the "barefoot diva," whose melancholic Morna music embodies the soul of Cape Verde. Mindelo pulses with music, carnival, and a creative energy that is found nowhere else on the islands. The Mindelo Carnival in February is the largest in Cape Verde and rivals Brazilian festivals: samba schools, colorful costumes, street music, and days of celebrations transform the city. In the bars and clubs of Mindelo, Morna, Coladeira, and Funaná are played live every evening throughout the year. The port city at Porto Grande offers a mix of Portuguese colonial architecture and vibrant Creole life: the fish market, Praça Amílcar Cabral, and the Torre de Belém (a copy of the Lisbon original) shape the cityscape. Monte Verde — at 774 meters the highest point of the island — offers views over the entire archipelago on clear days. Baia das Gatas in the northeast is a natural, sheltered lagoon with calm waters — perfect for swimming and the venue for the famous full moon music festival in August. The barren, volcanic landscape of the island's interior contrasts dramatically with the lively culture of Mindelo.