Cape Verde Holidays 2026/2027
Cape Verde holidays bring year round sunshine, endless glistening beaches and views for days – in other words, ultimate relaxation. Beyond the golden sands and turquoise waters, you can immerse yourself into the vibrant local culture and enjoy many unique experiences like floating in saltwater lagoons or sampling traditional Cape Verdean cuisine.
Holidays in Cape Verde boast great value, offering you a slice of paradise at affordable prices, so whether you’re looking for a romantic trip, some family fun or just to escape the winter blues, book your holiday to Cape Verde today.
Our latest Cape Verde holiday deals
Why choose a holiday to Cape Verde?
Whether you’re looking for guaranteed sunshine, endless beach days or a relaxing All Inclusive escape, Cape Verde has plenty to offer – and it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular holiday destination.
- Year-round sunshine – Cape Verde boasts warm temperatures throughout the year, making it a great choice for winter sun, summer getaways and everything in between.
- Beautiful beaches – Expect miles of golden sand, turquoise waters and plenty of space to relax.
- Great value All Inclusive resorts – Cape Verde is packed with stylish beachfront hotels offering modern facilities and excellent value for money.
- Perfect for relaxation – With a laidback atmosphere, uncrowded beaches and a slower pace of life, Cape Verde is ideal for switching off and recharging.
- Amazing watersports – From kite surfing and windsurfing to snorkelling and boat trips, Cape Verde is a playground for water lovers.
- Unique island culture – Enjoy the fascinating blend of African and Portuguese influences, the welcoming atmosphere, colourful towns and a vibrant local culture.
Best destinations in Cape Verde
Cape Verde has some incredible islands, each with its own laidback charm – from vast sandy beaches and desert landscapes to lively resorts and peaceful hideaways.
Holidays in Cape Verde
Whether you’re after an All Inclusive escape, a spontaneous last minute deal or a touch of luxury by the beach, Cape Verde holidays come in plenty of styles to suit every kind of traveller.
Popular hotels in Cape Verde:
Looking for some of our most popular hotels in Cape Verde? Here’s a few to get you inspired:
Planning your holiday to Cape Verde
Beaches in Cape Verde
The beaches in the Cape Verde Islands are simply stunning. Expect expansive soft sands, shallow shores and views for days.
- Praia de Santa Maria is a breathtaking 8km stretch of white sand with crystal clear turquoise waters lapping the shore. It’s such a beautiful and popular spot that it’s thought of as Sal’s signature beach.
- Ponta Preta, also on Sal, offers the opposite vibe for a more peaceful escape. Enjoy the same soft sands and gentle waters but with a backdrop of sweeping dunes. Between November and March this is a popular beach for kite and wind surfing too.
- Boa Vista’s beaches boast the same peaceful charm. Head to Praia de Chaves for more than 5km of soft sands and rolling dunes perfect for long, romantic walks with minimal crowds and post-card worthy views. Or, at Santa Monica beach, look out in the distance for the chance to spot turtles and whales.
Places to go in Cape Verde
On holiday in Cape Verde, both islands of Sal and Boa Vista have plenty to offer.
- Sal, is known for its pristine white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and luxury All Inclusive resorts. Head to the main town, Santa Maria, for kite and windsurfing, seafront restaurants, lively beach bars and a charming pier with fresh seafood stalls.
- Espargos is Sal’s capital, offering local culture, markets, and restaurants away from tourist resorts for a more authentic Cape Verdean experience.
- Boa Vista is almost triple the size of Sal but is more relaxed and tranquil – a paradise of long sandy beaches and rolling dunes. Famous for its loggerhead turtles, Boa Vista is perfect for those who love nature and wildlife.
- The capital of Boa Vista is Sal Rei, a charming harbour town with colourful streets, bustling local markets and delicious restaurants boasting sea views.
Things to see in Cape Verde
Sights in Sal:
- Take a dip at Pedra de Lume Salt Crater, a volcanic lake where the high salt levels let you float effortlessly.
- See the Blue Eye (AKA the Buracona), a natural lava pool that glows a brilliant blue when the sun hits.
- Wade into Shark Bay’s shallow waters and stand among lemon sharks.
Sights in Boa Vista:
- Between May and October, loggerhead turtles come ashore to nest, burying their eggs in the sand.
- Head to the Shipwreck of Cabo Santa Maria that’s been stranded in the shallows since the 1960s.
- For more of a thrill, take a 4×4 tour through the Deserto de Viana and soak in the striking views.
Nightlife in Cape Verde
Cape Verde holidays might be famous for chilled days and sunshine, but once the sun goes down there’s plenty of things to do.
- Sal is the most lively of the Cape Verde Islands with Santa Maria being the heart of the nightlife scene. Here, you’ll find bars along the beachfront.
- Avenida Dos Hoteis is the main strip in Santa Maria. This street comes alive at night with bars and clubs all offering plenty of music and dancing.
- Boa Vista offers a more relaxed vibe – picture sunset dinners with acoustic music! Enjoy the low key, chilled beach bars and sea views, perfect for a romantic evening for two.
- Santa Maria can be great for families with teens looking for an upbeat evening, while Boa Vista is great for young kids looking for some fun – lots of restuarants have live entertainment, like traditional danceshows that are a family-friendly hit.
Food and drink in Cape Verde
Blending African, Portuguese, Brazillian and even Mediterranean influences, the cuisine in Cape Verde is a fusion of incredible flavours.
- Cachupa is the national dish so is a must-try on holiday in Cape Verde. Made with corn, vegetables, meat or fish and slow cooked in a stew – it’s comfort food at it’s best. For the most authentic experience, try cachupa at a local family-run restaurant or market stalls!
- Tuna is a popular fish in the islands, and often it’s simply grilled and served with rice, salad or potatoes, or it’s wrapped in pastry and fried as a popular street snack.
- Thought of as Cape Verde’s most iconic spirit, grogue is a local speciality made on islands like Santo Antão and Santiago. It’s a strong, distilled sugarcane rum and is often flavoured with herbs, fruit, or honey.
Costs in Cape Verde
The prices in Cape Verde can vary depending on where you are but here are some typical average costs:
- A three course meal at a mid range restaurant for two might cost around £22-£30
- A beer could cost you £2, a soft drink £1.50, a glass of wine £5.50 and cocktails around £4
- A short taxi ride around 5km could typically cost £5 in Boa Vista and £10 in Sal
Our favourite things about Cape Verde
Best time to go to Cape Verde
Cape Verde is an incredible year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on the kind of holiday you’re after.
If you’re looking for reliable sunshine and warm temperatures, the most popular time is between November and June, when temperatures are around 26℃ to 28℃ – perfect for relaxing on the beach.
For a quieter feel and some bargain deals, July to October can be a great option. You’ll still get plenty of warm weather – with the chance of random showers – but with fewer crowds and often lower prices.
Frequently asked questions about holidays to Cape Verde
The best months to go to Cape Verde could be between November and June as you’ll enjoy temperatures typically between 21°C and 26°C and with minimal rainfall.
If you’re after the hottest temperatures around then August and September are the best months to go to Cape Verde because you’ll enjoy temperatures in the late twenties – but these are also the wettest months, so you could be chancing it with some showers.
The cheapest months to go to Cape Verde tend to be the wetter months as it’s the off-peak season – so between July and October is when you could find some really great value Cape Verde holiday deals.
The hottest months in Cape Verde are August and September when temperatures sit around 28°C to 29°C.
Cape Verde is hot all year round with temperatures consistently in the twenties – even in the coolest month which is March the temperature sits around 21°C to 22°C!
Holidays in Cape Verde ooze with relaxation, sunshine and beautiful views, so wherever you stay, expect nothing less!
In summary:
- Boa Vista: perfect for nature lovers, couples and those seeking peace and tranquility
- Sal: ideal for those looking for a mix of relaxation and lively resorts
Boa Vista is the biggest of the islands but is the most laid-back and tranquil. If you’re looking for a holiday where you can just switch off, enjoy the miles of unspoilt beaches and see some incredible widlife, then Boa Vista is for you.
Sal, although quite a bit smaller, is much more lively and developed. Santa Maria is where you’ll find most of the restaurants and bars which come alive in the evenings, so you can enjoy the soft sands during the day then some dancing and cocktails at night.
Cape Verde can be a really great value holiday with incredible beaches, 4 and 5* hotels and unique island culture.
A top tip for your holiday in Cape Verde:
Choosing an All Inclusive holiday to Cape Verde is a handy way to keep on top of spending and avoid any surprise bills at the end of the holiday. What’s more, the All Inclusive hotels in Cape Verde typically offer everything you could need, with food, drink, daytime activities and evening entertainment all included.
A few more tips for a cheap Cape Verde holiday:
- Keep flexible with dates and durations – if possible, flying even one day later can save a lot and opting for one more, or one less night could see huge benefits too
- Book excursions in advance – often booking activities online and ahead of time can come with discounts
- Keep an eye out for discounts and offers for the extra savings!
Cape Verde is a dreamy holiday destination guaranteed to refuel and rejuvenate if that’s what you’re after.
Highlights of a holiday in Cape Verde:
- Picturesque beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters
- An array of marine life that can be seen up close, like loggerhead turtles, dolphins, whales and sharks
- Year round temperatures in the twenties
- Incredible 4 and 5* All Inclusive hotels – some adults only perfect for a romatnic holiday and some with tons of family-friendly facilities
- Chilled yet fascinating local life
With so many highlights across the Cape Verde Islands and its overall relaxing vibe, Cape Verde makes a great holiday destination for couples, families, friends, or a solo break!
The currency in Cape Verde is Cape Verdean Escudo, shown as CVE.
It is a closed currency so you can only exchange your money once in the islands and then you cannot take them home with you at the end of your holiday.
The official language of the Cape Verde Islands is Portuguese which is what most written communications will be in, but you’re likely to hear Creole in conversations.
Have a read of some useful Creole phrases for your Cape Verde holiday.
The average flight time from the UK to Cape Verde is around 6 hours.
This can vary depending on the airport you’re flying from and to but typically it will be between 6 hours and 6 hours 30 minutes.
The time difference between the UK and Cape Verde is GMT -1, which means the UK is 1 hour behind Cape Verde.
