The 11 Best City Tours in Cape Verde

1.Espargos City Tour, Local Life, and Cape Verde Tapas

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 200 reviews · 2h 30m · from $35Our pick

Spend 150 minutes exploring Espargos with a local guide such as Chan. Walk through the historic centre, spot street art, hear about Sal’s past, visit local areas, and stop for Cape Verdean snacks, cheese, and a typical drink. Hotel pickup and return are included.

“Chan was our guide and he was amazing! He walked us around the city and told us so much about the history. He took us to an mazing place to try vcape verdian tapas and that was a delight on its own. Definitely recommend and will definitely be coming back”

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2.Beaches, Villages and Monte Verde (excludes city)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 87 reviews · 5 hours · from $82

Leave Mindelo with a local guide such as Sonia or Lino, then visit fishing villages, Calhau farms, Baía das Gatas, Praia Grande, and Monte Verde. Swim in a clear lagoon, taste local tea, and stop for a traditional lunch, not included in the $82 price.

“Very nice trip! Our guide Sonia ans the driver Albino were very kind ans excellent. The lunch at Calhau was vert good!”

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3.Praia & Cidade Velha: Guided City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 80 reviews · 4 hours · from $53

Spend four hours with a local guide in Praia and Cidade Velha. Visit the Plateau, a food market, Banana Street, Pelourinho Square, church ruins, and Fortaleza Real de São Filipe. Hotel and harbor pickup are included, with guiding in five languages.

“Amerigo nous a fait partager sa connaissance de l'histoire de son pays avec beaucoup de professionnalisme dans un français plus que correct. si vous en avez la possibilité demandez à faire le circuit "à l'envers"( comme nous avons dû le faire du fait des embouteillages du lundi matin): vous commencerez alors par Santiago "historique" et terminerez par Praia "contemporaine". J'airais même préféré commencer par la citadelle de Cidade Velha avant la ville de Cidade Velha. Attention, l'entrée à la citadelle coute 500escudos (5€) par personne.”

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4.Baobab Mysterious Tree, Green Valley & Old City Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 53 reviews · 4 hours · from $53

Travel from Praia into Santiago’s farming valleys, then walk 4 km downhill through fruit trees, sugar cane and rocky paths to Cidade Velha. Guides such as Antonio, Alex and Americio share local stories, plants, grogue production and island culture. Expect about two hours of walking in a small group.

“It was a beautiful route. The car was very small and the guide could have told us a little more or waited for the last ones in the group, who often missed out on things. We had to wait a very long time for the bus to take us back!”

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5.Santa Maria City Tour & Cuscuz Tasting with a Local Family

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 50 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

Join a small group of up to 10 for a two-hour Santa Maria tour with a guide such as Alejandro or Djibril. Visit the market, Shells Beach, salt pans, fishing areas, and Ponta Preta, with homemade cuscuz and fidjos served by a local family.

“Adoramos tudo....desde saber um pouco da história de cabo verde, o passeio em si...e terminar em casa de uma família e ter para comer cuscus e fidgi feito na hora foi muito bom.”

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6.Guided Sal Island City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 39 reviews · 4 hours · from $39

Spend four hours exploring Espargos, with its market, local shops, traditional restaurants, and São José Church. Depending on your booking, you may also visit Santa Maria, where fisherman's houses, beaches, cafés, and Nossa Senhora das Dores Church offer a gentler view of Sal. Guides speak five languages.

“Dias is een man van zijn woord. Stipt op tijd en hij laat echt de Cabo Verde No Stress mentaliteit zien. Wat heb ik genoten van Espargos en alle mooie traditionele dingen. Kort en krachtig. Goed werk. 5 sterren meer dan verdiend!”

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7.Santa Maria city tour, street art and tapas

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 37 reviews

Meet a local guide such as Sean for a compact Santa Maria tour from hotels in Santa Maria, Murdeira, or Espargos. Walk from the salt-trade Pontão through colorful street art, historic sights, local bars, and restaurants, then taste Cape Verdean snacks and drinks before viewing old photos and authentic souvenirs.

“Ist leider Preis leistungsorientiert viel zu teuer aber der Service war gut”

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8.Mindelo Cultural: city tour “Mindelo by Night”

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 35 reviews · 2 hours · from $81

Join Mindelo Cultural for a two-hour evening walk through Mindelo’s marina, music bars, restaurants, and local meeting spots. Guides such as Marion lead you to live music, traditional dance, grogue or ponche, and a night bar outside the center. English tour, $81 per person.

“Perfect way to get your bearings in Mindelo and check out the different food and musical offerings around town. Marion exudes a love for the country of Cape Verde since emigrating years ago and knows many of the people around town, wanting to highlight great up and coming musicians and artists. Was especially grateful to Marion for doing the tour when it was just me as a solo traveler.”

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9.Beaches, Villages and Monte Verde, São Vicente Excludes City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $81Top rated

Travel from Mindelo to Monte Verde, São Pedro, Salamansa, Baía das Gatas, and Calhau with a local guide. Enjoy mountain views, locally grown tea, fishing villages, beaches, volcanic coast, and a farming valley. Lunch is separate, and the small group has no more than 10 people.

“The island was beautiful-The Tea House(indoor visit) was great and the beaches were great. However, we did not have much time to swim (only 15 minutes) because we were the only ones who wanted to. Disappointed about that, as it was the reason we chose this tour. Instead Kalu took us to see turtles, which was wonderful. They took good care of us.”

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10.City Walking Tour, Mindelo, Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $41

Start at Mindelo’s Cultural Center at 9 a.m. with a local guide, then walk through the fish market, municipal market, and city center. Expect a small group of up to 12, practical beach tips, and lively stories about Cesária Évora, Morna, Carnaval, and daily life in São Vicente.

“Dank voor de interessante en gezellige stadswandeling. Heel veel geleerd over ontstaan van Mindelo. Heel vriendelijke gids die echt veel weet over Mindelo en dat op een grappige en onderhoudende manier vertelt. Als je in Mindelo bent, absoluut doen!”

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11.Guided City tour Praia with Cidade Velha (World Heritage)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $58

Spend 3 to 4 hours touring Praia and Cidade Velha with a guide such as Edson, Orlando, José, or another Kapverden Tours host. Visit two markets, the main church, Praia’s central square, and the former colonial capital, with pickup and groups limited to six.

“Edson was a great guide, very knowledgeable and perfect English. The tour took us to the main historical parts of the city and it was very helpful to learn about the history of Cabo Verde”

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