Praia
Cape Verde · Santiago · 35 m
Description
Praia is the capital of Cape Verde and the largest city in the archipelago, built on a flat-topped headland called the Plateau that rises straight out of the harbour with colonial squares and administrative buildings on top. It is a working African port city rather than a resort, and the Sucupira market spreading below the Plateau is the busiest trading place in the country. Live music runs late in the Prainha and Achada bars. Beaches lie within the city limits, and the whole island opens up from here by road. The city rewards a night rather than an afternoon, and its music is the reason.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 4 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: November – May
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Plateau colonial quarter
- Sucupira market
- Live morna and funaná music bars
- Praça Alexandre Albuquerque
- Ethnographic Museum
- Quebra Canela and Prainha beaches
- Cathedral and the old town hall
- Cachupa and the island kitchen
- Serra Malagueta mountain park(Day trip)
- Fishing harbour and the container port
Getting there
- Airports:
- RAI
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry