Ten volcanic islands in the Atlantic where African, Portuguese, and Brazilian cultures fuse — constant trade winds making it the world capital of kitesurfing, traditional morna music, and sunsets over endless ocean.
- Capital
- Praia
- Population
- 491,233
- Area
- 4,033 km²
- Languages
- Portuguese
- Currency
- Cape Verdi Escudo (CVE)
- GDP
- $2,786M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Cachupa
Annual visitors
180,000 (2020)
Safety
Moderate (6.99/100k)
Avg temp
22.5°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 132 · Ambulance 130 · Fire 131
Travel guide
Cape Verde or CV (Portuguese: Cabo Verde, Kriolu: Kabu Verdi) is a country off the coast of West Africa. It is in a cluster of islands of the Atlantic Ocean, 570 km (350 mi) off the western coast of Senegal.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore Cape Verde
Best time to visit
Cape Verde is a year-round destination. November–July is the dry, sunny season — ideal for the beach islands of Sal and Boa Vista. The kitesurfing paradise of Sal is best November–June. August–October brings some humidity to the northern islands.
Visa
Citizens of most nationalities require a visa for Cape Verde, obtainable online at ease.gov.cv before travel or on arrival. The process is straightforward.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (1)
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Major cities
Sal Island
Cape Verde's most visited island — constant winds for kitesurfing, Santa Maria beach, and the salt lakes of Pedra de Lume.
Mindelo
The cultural capital of Cape Verde on Sao Vicente, known for its vibrant Morna music scene and carnival.
Santiago
The largest island and home to Praia, Cape Verde's capital, with Portuguese-African colonial heritage.