Travelisto destinations
Cape Verde holidays
Year-round sun six hours from the UK — Sal and Boa Vista’s beaches, Fogo’s volcano, Santo Antão’s mountain trails and Mindelo’s music.
Overview
Welcome to Cape Verde
Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) is a group of ten volcanic islands in the Atlantic, about 600km off the coast of Senegal, and one of the UK’s favourite winter-sun destinations. It is warm all year, around 25–30°C, with very little rain, and it is only about six hours’ flight from many UK airports. Most visitors stay on Sal or Boa Vista, flat desert islands with long white beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and some of the best kitesurfing and windsurfing in the world.
The other islands are completely different. Santo Antão has spectacular green valleys and mountain trails; Fogo is dominated by an active volcano, with wine made in its crater; São Vicente’s port town, Mindelo, is the cultural capital, home of the morna music made famous by Cesária Évora; and Santiago has the capital, Praia, and Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Creole culture mixes Portuguese and West African influences, with fresh fish, cachupa stew and grogue rum.
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Best for: winter sun without a long flight, all-inclusive family holidays, kitesurfers and windsurfers, walkers (Santo Antão), and travellers who want to combine a beach stay with island-hopping.
From the team
Why we love Cape Verde
Sal and Boa Vista are perfect for a week of sun, but add three nights on Santo Antão or São Vicente and you see a completely different Cape Verde.
Rossella Rossella, Luxury & Destination Specialist Meet our Travel DesignersFind your trip
Holiday types in Cape Verde
Pick a holiday style — or combine two. Each section links straight to the next step.
Where to stay
Beach destinations grouped by resort area — pick the cluster that matches your pace.
City breaks
Cape Verde's cities reward 2-4 nights each — pair two for a tailor-made multi-centre trip.
Cruises
Mindelo, Praia and Sal are calls on Canary Islands, West Africa and transatlantic cruises, mainly in winter.
Tailor-made
Everything you see above is a starting point — we'll shape any of these around how you actually want to travel.
All-inclusive beach week
A resort on Sal or Boa Vista, matched to who is travelling.
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Island-hopping
Sal or Boa Vista with Santo Antão and São Vicente by plane and ferry.
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Walking Santo Antão
Mountain trails and village guesthouses with a local guide.
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Kite and windsurf trip
The best spots and schools for the windy season.
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From our editorial team
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The Gambia holiday guide: Kololi, Kotu, the south coast and upriver lodges, plus birdwatching, when to go, flights…
Read morePractical info
Knowing before you go
When to go
Jan
25°
Feb
25°
Mar
26°
Apr
26°
May
26°
Jun
27°
Jul
28°
Aug
29°
Sep
30°
Oct
29°
Nov
28°
Dec
26°
Cape Verde is warm and dry all year, which makes it ideal for winter sun from October to May. December to April is the windiest season, perfect for kitesurfing but breezy on the beach. August to October can be humid, with occasional showers.
Flights & how to get there
Direct flights from many UK airports to Sal and Boa Vista take about 6 hours. Cape Verde is one hour behind the UK in winter. Inter-island travel is by domestic flight or ferry.
Visa & passport
UK passport holders can visit without a visa for up to 30 days, but you must pre-register online and pay the airport security fee before you travel. For up-to-date entry requirements and safety advice, check the UK FCDO travel advice for Cape Verde.
Currency & money
The Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), pegged to the euro; euros are widely accepted. A tourist tax is charged per person per night and paid locally at the hotel.
Language & tipping
Portuguese (official) and Cape Verdean Creole. English is spoken in the resorts.
Health & safety
No special vaccinations are usually needed when flying from the UK. Pack high-factor sun cream and consult your GP before you travel. Buy comprehensive travel insurance.
FAQs
Cape Verde — your questions
When is the best time to visit Cape Verde?
Any time — it is warm and dry all year. October to May is perfect for winter sun, and December to April is the windiest season, great for kitesurfing.
How long is the flight to Cape Verde?
About 6 hours direct from many UK airports to Sal and Boa Vista. Cape Verde is one hour behind the UK in winter.
Do I need a visa for Cape Verde?
UK passport holders can stay up to 30 days without a visa, but you must pre-register online and pay the airport security fee before you travel. A tourist tax is paid locally at your hotel.
Sal or Boa Vista?
Sal has more restaurants and nightlife around Santa Maria and the best kitesurfing; Boa Vista has bigger, emptier beaches and dunes, and is quieter. Both have good all-inclusive resorts.
Make this trip yours
Plan your Cape Verde holiday with a Travel Designer
Pick from any of the options on this page or tell us what you have in mind — we'll build it around how you actually like to travel. ATOL protected, flights included, real humans available 9am–7pm.
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