SANTIAGO  ISLAND

 

The island of Santiago, which in Portuguese means 'Saint James' is located between the islands of Maio and Fogo. Santiago is the largest island in the Archipelago, with a surface area of 991 Km2 and a population of around 240,000 inhabitants; about 120,000 people live in Praia, the capital. The island is about 55km long from North to South and 29km wide.

Like the other islands, Santiago is volcanic in origin, but somehow it is more balanced: in the middle there are rocky mountains, sliced in between are deep and beautiful valleys, in the north and southeast you will find some glorious beaches, in the southwest dry and arid areas dominate the scenery and in the south irrigated plantation provide good agricultural conditions. Santiago's highest point is Pico do Antonio, at 1,392m is located at the heart of the island. Serra da Malagueta, at 1,064 is another mountain range situated in the north.

VISIT SANTIAGO FOR:

  • Beach lounging
  • Diving
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Sightseeing

HISTORY

The island was discovered by Antonio de Noli and Diogo Gomez in 1462, who with a group of sailors settled in Cidade Velha which was then known as Ribeira Grande. While the other islands, except Fogo, were merely used for salt or grazing, Santiago's economy flourished through the slave trade and Cidade Velha became the second richest city in the Portuguese empire. As a result of this closeness to the African Continent, Santiago absorbed more of the African influence than the rest of the islands.

FESTIVALS

The most important festivals are the 'Tabanka' processions in June and July and the Festival of Nossa Senhora da Graca, the first patron saint of Praia, on 15th of August. Tabanka is a traditional musical form with african rhythms, drummed out on conch-shell horns and drums.

AT THE AIRPORT & TRANSPORT INFORMATION

There is an International airport in Santiago where long haul flights from Europe land in Praia; flights from mainland Africa also land in Praia. To contact the airport: +238 263 3380, Praia.

Internal Flights

There are regular domestic flights with TACV Airlines between Santiago and  - Fogo (few every day), - Sal (few every day), - Sao Vicente (few every day), - Maio (few a week), - Boavista (few a week) - Sao Nicolau (few a week, via Sao Vicente).

From The Airport

Taxis are available from the airport to Praia town from around 200/300$ depending on your destination. Alternatively, you can walk the 2km distance.

By Ferry or Hydrofoil  see 'Getting Around' Main Page for routes and timetables between the islands.

The port is in Praia. You can take a taxi to and from the port.

Getting Around Santiago

-   ALUGUERS  Aluguers travel up and down the road between Praia, in the south of the island and Tarrafal in the north, all day and evening. They leave from the Sucupira market in Praia, west of the Plateau; for Cidade Velha they leave from Terra Branca, southwest of the Plateau.

-   TAXIS  A taxi ride within the town of Praia costs around 150/200$, sometimes 300$, generally after 11pm. If you take an unmarked taxi, make sure you agree the price beforehand.

-   CAR RENTAL  For more freedom to see the island, rent a jeep. A minibus or a car will limit your chance to explore the dirt tracks down the west coast. There are quite a few companies to choose from. Many car rental operators can be found in Praia.

ACTIVITIES

Excursions

Examples of excursions offered by local tour operators include: tours to Tarrafal via Sao Domingos, Picos and Santa Caterina, one day tour of Santiago, half-day or full-day tour of Cidade Velha, trips to Praia Baixo and hiking tours. Generally, organised tours require a minimum number of people and are often more expensive than if you arrange it yourself. Listed below are some tours operators.

CABETUR  with offices in Tarrafal, ORBITUR and PRAIATUR  in Praia, NOVATUR and EXECUTIVE TOUR  in Fazenda, MUNDIALTUR  in Achada Santo Antonio.


                     Photo sourced from Página Oficial do Governo de Cabo Verde, Hinterland of Santiago.

Surfing

Even if Santiago boasts few surfing spots, most surfers prefer other islands. Well-known spots include: the coast in the southeast, south of Ponte de Lobo and in Tarrafal, in particular at Ponta do Atum and at Chao Bom. The best time of the year is between January and March.

Fishing & Diving

There is some game fishing in Santiago, pay local fishermen a small fee to take you out on one of their trips.

At the moment, diving is only possible in Tarrafal.

Hiking

The heart of Santiago provides some satisfying walks. The biggest hike is the Pico do Antonio at 1,392m. Other walks consist of finding a craggy spot in the mountain area in the centre of the island and walking down a ribeira, dry river valleys, to the coast or viceversa. 

Serra Malagueta-Ribeira Principal, Monte Xota-Sao Domingos and Monte Xota-Pico do Antonio-Monte Xota are just few examples of the available hikes on the island. 


                               Photo sourced from Página Oficial do Governo de Cabo Verde, Pico do Antonio.


PLACES TO STAY OR VISIT

PRAIA

Praia, which in Portuguese means 'beach', is located on the southeastern coast of the island of Santiago and is the capital of the island and of Cape Verde. The city is built on a basaltic platform overlooking the bay, this area is known as the 'Plateau' and its various districts spill on to the land below known as achadas, elevated plains.

The Achada de Santo Antonio, southeast of the Plateau, is where the Government building is, Prainha, the district to the south of the Plateau, is where there are the embassies, upmarket hotels and nightclubs, the districts of Terra Branca and Fazenda lie respectively to the west and to the north of the Plateau. Palmarejo is a new, expensive residential area to the southwest of the Plateau. 

Praia is a pretty town to visit or spend some of your time. A visit to the market is a MUST! 

 A Bit of History

The City of Praia, originally called Praia de Santa Maria, became the capital of Santiago in 1770. Before then, the capital of the island was Ribeira Grande (now Cidade Velha). The decline of Ribeira Grande as a capital happened when the most disastrous pirate attack in 1712 forced Santiago to invest in the fortification of Praia. Praia, with its inadequate fortified beaches, was the perfect spot for the pirates to land and march to attack the capital, Ribeira Grande, not far from it.

In 1858, Praia achieved the rank of Cidade (City). Today Praia is the administative centre of Cape Verde.

Beaches

To the east of the Hotel Praia Mar, located in Prainha, there is a small but very popular beach, to the west of the same hotel, you will see Praia da Quebra Canela, another lovely beach but less busy.


                Photo sourced from Página Oficial do Governo de Cabo Verde, Praia da Quebra Canela.


For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday

USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION

Hospital:  At the northeastern edge of the Plateau,  261 2462

Pharmacy:  Many throughout the city.       Police:  Northern end of the Plateau,  261 1332

Banks:  Many on the Plateau and in Fazenda.

Embassies:  Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Senegal, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and USA.

Visa Extensions:  At the Police station.

DO NOT MISS:

On the main 'Alexandre Albuquerque' square on the Plateau, you will find:

-   the old Catholic Cathedral, the old Town Hall, the Presidential Palace, constructed at the end of the 19th century, the Palace of Justice and the statue of Diogo Gomes, one of the two discoverers of the island of Santiago in 1462. 

-   On the Plateau there is also a small museum where you will see relics from shipwrecks and artefacts from Cape Verdean rural life.

-   The colorful Market.


                                                                         Photo sourced from www.fuggire.it, Market in Praia.

CIDADE VELHA (RIBEIRA GRANDE)

Cidade Velha, which in Portuguese means 'old city', is a town situated at around 12km west of Praia, the capital of the island of Santiago and Cape Verde. Cidade Velha, which used to be called Ribeira Grande and capital of Cape Verde, is where the history of Cape Verde began; it was discovered in 1462 by Antonio de Noli and Diogo Gomez and it was the first settlement in Cape Verde.

Ribeira Grande flourished rapidly and in 1572 was granted the status of Cidade (City); it received monopoly on slavery, slaves from Guinea-Bissau and from Sierra Leone were shipped from Cidade Velha to Brazil and the Caribbean. But this prosperity ended with the French attack in 1712 which destroyed the city and led to investments in the fortification of Praia, which then became the capital. Today Cidade Velha is just an ordinary village, but its charming and attractive ruins, testifying of its sumptuous past, and the green ribeira, make this a beautiful place to visit.

How to get to Cidade Velha

There are hourly aluguers from the Sucupira Market or from Terra Branca in Praia to Cidade Velha. The journey lasts approx. 30 minutes and the fare is around 100$. One way taxi journey will cost around 1,000$.

From Cidade Velha, aluguers leave from the centre of the square.

For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.

USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION

Hospital:   267 1111            Police:   267 1132


                                  Photo sourced from Página Oficial do Governo de Cabo Verde, Cidade Velha.

DO NOT MISS:

-   Fort Real do Sao Filipe, built after the attack to the city in 1585 by Francis Drake.

-   The remains of Grand Cathedral, completed in 1693.

-   The Pelhourinho, found in the square, a 16th century pillory used for the punishment of slaves.

-   The church of Nossa Senhora do Rosario, which is over five hundred years old and was used as the settlement's main place of worship until the cathedral was built.


                                                           Photo sourced from www.fuggire.it, Fort Real do Sao Felipe.

TARRAFAL

Tarrafal is located on the northwestern coast of the island of Santiago. It has little coves and a magnificent beach and is bursting with life. Diving, fishing, surfing can be done here; it is also a good starting point for few hikes. Situated 3 Km away from the town centre, there is the old concentration camp, also known as the Campo da morte lenta (slow death camp), built in 1936 to house Portuguese antifascists and used as a prison for political prisoners afterwards. It was closed in 1974. today it is open to the public to visit.


Photo sourced from Página Oficial do Governo de Cabo Verde, Campo de morte lenta, Concentration Camp.     

How to get to Tarrafal 

Aluguers leave all day from the Sucupira Market in Praia to reach Tarrafal. The journey lasts approx. two hours and the fare is around 400/500$.

From Tarrafal, aluguers leave from where the Praia road joins the main square of Tarrafal, they run until early evening.

If you don't want to take the central road from Tarrafal to Praia, you can come back along the coastal road: take an aluguer from behind the church in the main square of Tarrafal to Calheta de Sao Miguel and from Calheta to Praia.

For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.

USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION

Hospital:   266 1130              Police:   266 1132              Bank:   Banco Comercial do Atlantico


                                  Photo sourced from Página Oficial do Governo de Cabo Verde, Tarrafal Beach.


ASSOMADA

Assomada, a very old town, is the capital of the municipality of Santa Catarina, which comprises the central western portion of the island of Santiago.

How to get to Assomada

Aluguers leave all day from the Sucupira Market in Praia to reach Assomada. The journey takes approx. one and half hours and the fare is around 200$.

Aluguers leave Assomada for the return trip to Praia until late at night.

For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or Book Your Holiday page.

USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION

Hospital:   Opposite the Police Station,  265 1130             Police:   265 1132                       Bank:   Banco Comercial do Atlantico           Pharmacy:   Farmacia Santa Caterina,  265 2121

DO NOT MISS:

-   The market of Assomada is one of the largest on the island of Santiago with a huge variety of agricultural and other products. It is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

-   The Museu de Tabanka, which sits outside the city square, incorporates the history of Assomada and Santa Caterina and it is also dedicated to the traditional musical form of Tabanka. It often hosts exhibitions by Cape Verdean artists and poets, traditional concerts, and other cultural events.

-   From Assomada going north, the road goes to Boa Entrada, a village sets in a green valley, where one can admire a magnificent centuries-old kapok tree, dominating the valley, in which nests one of the only two known colonies of Cape Verde heron, known locally as garca-vermelho.

-   Set back from the main road that goes north from Boa Entrada, there is a yellow-coloured house where the national hero, Amilcar Cabral, lived when he was a child. Unfortunately the house is not open to the public.

-   Ribeira da Barca, a beautiful beachside village on the west coast, where you can take a boat trip to the Grotto d'Aguas Bellas, a cave with a beach inside.


                                                              Photo sourced from www.miramaio.com, Assomada Market.


SAO DOMINGOS

The main reason to stop at Sao Domingos is to use it as a base for drives or hikes up to the west into the hills.

It is worths visiting:

-   The Artisan Centre, where you can watch Cape Verdeans exercising traditional crafts and have the chance to buy hand made products.</