Cabo Verde

Santo Antão

The island of mountains: green valleys, epic trails and Ribeira Grande.

Santo Antão is the opposite of everything else: instead of beaches, thousand-metre mountains. Instead of desert, green valleys with banana trees and sugarcane. It's a hiker's paradise — perhaps the best trekking destination in the Atlantic. Reached by ferry from Mindelo.

Best time
October to June — dry trails and clear views.
Airport
No airport — ferry from São Vicente (~1h)
Ideal for
hiking trails nature photography

Don't miss

  • Paúl Valley

    One of the most beautiful trails in the world — descending from 1,100 m to sea level among banana trees and waterfalls.

  • Cova de Paúl

    A farmed volcanic crater, with Paúl and Ribeira Grande on either side.

  • Ponta do Sol

    A port town in the north, with cliffs and a lighthouse.

  • Alto Mira Valley

    A remote trail to an isolated valley — just locals and landscape.

  • Fontainhas

    A village clinging to a cliff — the island's most famous photo.

Where to stay in Santo Antão

We don't have accommodations listed on this island yet.