Cape Verde Family Holiday on Santiago

A One-week Cape Verde Family Holiday on Santiago, combining culture with beaches, mountains, and activities.

There are nine islands in the Cape Verde Archipelago but very few venture beyond the resorts and beaches of Sal and Boavista  This one-week holiday is perfect for families who want to experience the real Cape Verde. Santiago is Cape Verde’s most populated island, and is one of the most culturally authentic, similarly to Sao Vicente.

This holiday is ideal for secondary age children who will enjoy mountain walks, snorkelling, bartering at local markets, and a range of cultural highlights. We will arrange private transfers and guides for all excursions, so you can focus on enjoying time with your children without the hassle of finding your way. Your holiday starts in the capital city of Praia, which is built over several plateaus. Praia is home to most of Santiago’s residents, and over half of Cape Verde’s population live on this island. A private guide will take you on a tour of the city, so you can get acclimatised.

On your second day, you will head to the south coast to explore Cape Verde’s oldest settlement Cidade Velha, which became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009. Cidade Velha stands as a testament to the dark past of slavery. In the 15th and 16th centuries Cape Verde was a strategically important location between Africa, the Americas and Europe and slavery was a large part of this trade. Nowadays Cidade Velha’s reputation has changed and it’s evolved into a charming coastal village. You will visit the fort that overlooks the village, the churches, and the pelourinho -a 16th-century pillory used to punish slaves.

After your time in Praia, you head off into the interior where you’ll find jagged mountain peaks and fertile valleys of manioc and banana. The island’s second largest city, Assomada, is in a spectacular location.  Built on a plateau between deeply cut valleys, it’s nestled below some of the island’s highest peaks. On a Saturday and Wednesday Assomada’s African market attracts a throng of locals and visitors alike. Here you can buy anything from chickens (alive or dead) to furniture, herbal remedies, and colourful spices. For children, it’s a fun way to learn about the island culture.

You stay at the famously beautiful Tarrafal beach, where you can enjoy uncrowded sandy beaches. Tarrafal beach is in a sheltered bay, so is safe for swimming and snorkelling. It’s an ideal base for families to relax and have fun on the beach. Your hotel will provide snorkels, or you can visit the dive school to arrange some scuba lessons. We’ll arrange a boat tour to some nearby caves, for more snorkelling and a BBQ with freshly caught fish.

To discuss a tailor-made version of this holiday with one of our team:

📞Call: 017687 21030

💻Email: team@archipelagochoice.com