Mindelo
Cape Verde · São Vicente · 10 m
Description
Mindelo is the cultural capital of Cape Verde, a port town around a drowned crater bay with pastel colonial facades, a replica of the Belém tower and a coaling history that once made it the busiest harbour in the mid Atlantic. This is where morna was born and where Cesária Évora sang, and live music runs in the bars of Rua de Lisboa most nights of the week. Its carnival is the largest in the islands and openly Brazilian in style. Ferries to Santo Antão leave from the quay every morning. The town lives at night and is unremarkable to look at by day.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 5 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: November – June
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Live morna in the Rua de Lisboa bars
- Mindelo carnival (February - March)
- Cesária Évora house and the music heritage
- Pastel colonial waterfront and the Belém tower replica
- Mercado Municipal and the fish market
- Praia da Laginha town beach
- Monte Verde viewpoint over the bay
- Baía das Gatas and its music festival (August)
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing at São Pedro
- Ferry crossing to Santo Antão
- Cultural centre and the art galleries
Getting there
- Airports:
- VXE
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry