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Santo Antão
A mountainous island of green valleys, volcanic peaks and cliffside paths, Cape Verde’s best hiking
A mountainous island of green valleys, volcanic peaks and cliffside paths, Cape Verde’s best hiking
A huge extinct volcanic crater with farmland on its floor, reached by the mountain road from Porto Novo. The classic hike descends from its rim into the Paúl valley.
Photo: Christian Pirkl, CC BY-SA 4.0
A steep, well-trodden path from the Cova rim down through terraces, sugar cane and small villages to the coast. It takes around three to four hours, mostly downhill.
Hire a guide if you are unsure of the route; paths can be steep and exposed.
Photo: Franzfoto, CC BY-SA 3.0
A small, colourful town at the northern tip of the island, with a fishing harbour and guesthouses. It is a popular hiking base.
Photo: Zinneke, CC BY-SA 3.0
A dramatic path cut into the cliffs west of Ponta do Sol leads to Fontainhas, a village perched on a ridge above terraced fields, and on along the coast to Cruzinha.
Start early to avoid the midday heat.
Photo: Patrick Savalle, CC BY-SA 3.0
Try cachupa, fresh fish, goat’s cheese, papaya jam and grogue, distilled from the island’s sugar cane in traditional trapiches (presses).
Guesthouses often serve home-cooked dinners; Ponta do Sol and Ribeira Grande have small restaurants.
Ferries from Mindelo on São Vicente reach Porto Novo in about an hour. Shared aluguer minibuses and taxis connect Porto Novo with Ribeira Grande, Ponta do Sol and the Paúl valley, either over the mountain road or along the coastal road.
Citizens of EU countries and the UK can visit visa-free for short stays. From 1 January 2026 Cape Verde stopped issuing visas on arrival to citizens of 96 countries, who must now apply in advance, so check whether your nationality needs a visa. All visitors must pre-register online on the EASE platform before travel and pay the airport security tax (around 3,400 escudos).
Santo Antão is one of the cheaper islands; accommodation is mainly in small guesthouses. Cape Verde uses the escudo (CVE), which is pegged to the euro. Euros are often accepted in tourist areas, but change is given in escudos.
Craters, valleys and cliff paths.
Take the ferry from Mindelo, drive up to the Cova crater and hike down the Paúl valley.
Walk from Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas and Cruzinha along the cliffs.
Explore Ribeira Grande and the Ribeira da Torre valley, then return to Mindelo by ferry.
Wear good hiking shoes; cobbled paths are steep and slippery when wet.
The crossing can be rough; take seasickness tablets if needed.
Bring cash; ATMs are mainly in Porto Novo and Ribeira Grande.
Local guides know the paths and conditions well.
Quick answers for planning time in Santo Antão.
EU and UK citizens do not for short stays, but all visitors must pre-register on the EASE platform and pay an airport security tax. Since January 2026 many other nationalities must get a visa in advance.
By ferry from Mindelo on São Vicente to Porto Novo, which takes about an hour; there is no airport.
The descent from the Cova crater into the Paúl valley and the coastal path from Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas are the classics.
Ponta do Sol, Ribeira Grande or the Paúl valley are the best bases for hiking.
October to June, when it is cooler; the valleys are greenest after the late-summer rains.
Portuguese is the official language and Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu) is spoken everywhere; English is common in Sal’s resorts.
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Planning a wider trip? Our Cape Verde travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.