Top Things to do in Cape Verde
What to do and see in Cape Verde, Cape Verde: The Best Mountains
Discover the best top things to do in Cape Verde, Cape Verde including Pico Do Fogo, Pico de Antonia, Monte Fontainhas, Serra de Malagueta, Monte Verde, Monte Curral.
Restaurants in Cape Verde
1. Pico Do Fogo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 229 reviews
Reviewed By albertosN9261GW
I read most of these reviews before going on the trip and although they are all accurate as to the amazing experience you’ll have, they were a bit understated as to how challenging it was. It is absolutely worth climbing the volcano, but it definitely took more effort than I had expected. It will take using your hands for climbing during the last hour due to the steepness of the terrain. The other reviews led us to believe there would be some sort of walking/ minor climbing path the whole way. Although there is a “trail” it’s definitely steep at points. My thighs were sore for about five days after the climb, but obviously worth it. Maybe we’re just old and out of shape but two of us made it up and two didn’t. I just wanted to put that information out there so people can prepare. Still, hands down a must do, amazing experience!
2. Pico de Antonia
3. Monte Fontainhas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By jorisd962
Fontainhas is a beautiful place and well worth the walk from Ponta do Sol, but if you are capable of hiking the 15km between Cruzinha and Ponta do Sol, do it! Take a taxi or aluguer to Cruzinha (~2000 escudos, maybe less if you haggle) and walk back to Ponta. Together with the Paul Valley, it is the most beautiful hike we have ever done.
4. Serra de Malagueta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By xerofun - Berlin, Germany
We did the hike from Serra Malagueta to Achada Monte mid October, the trip was roughly 13km. Looking at some photos of other reviews it seemed we were quite lucky, because everything around us was very green. We got the GPX track from a german web page. The track starts about 300m south of the visitor center. To get there we took an aluguer for 100 CVE from Tarrafal, even though we had a rental car, because the track we chose is a one way track. The aluguers drive all around town to pick up people, some staring at the central plaza. Ask if they go to Serra Malagueta and pick an aluguer that is almost full, or else you will drive around the area for a while until the car is full. The fee to the park is 200 CVE per person. As we arrived a bit early around 7:30, the office was not really open yet (opens at 8am on weekdays as the sign says). Luckily the cleaning ladies helped us and gave us a receipt for the park entrance fee. Anyways the only person we met while we were in the park was a local obliviously returning from a party. First half of our hike was in the official map you can get for free at the visitors center and leading to a telephone tower. The second half was not part of the official maps, as I pointed out before, we found the whole track on a German webpage. The main route in the park offers breathtaking views of the landscape you won't forget. If you are not lucky and it's just dry without any green I still believe it can be worth to do at least the main park route. The first part of the path is a few meters below the ridge. As we started early, the temperature was still nice. We arrived at the telephone tower around 11am after starting around 8am, but we did quite a few stops for photos etc. Just before the telephone tower we took the path to the right. Which led us through a dense vegetation. After another ~30mins we left the park and went through farmed land. Soon we saw the first houses and people. At the very end we got accompanied by a bunch of kids returning from school. We went down to the main road at the East coast and caught an aluguer back to Tarrafal for 150 CVE per person.
5. Monte Verde
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 253 reviews
Reviewed By dragon2x - London, United Kingdom
On a clear day, it’s spectacular! There were haze but also windy when we went so we would get some windows of clear views and soon as it clears, it’s covered again. We were lucky as we see a lot of clearing. The drive up is not for the amateur driver or those scared of winding and narrow road with shear drops. Not much to do up there but take photos and admire the views therefore don’t choose to come unless you can see the top of mountain. We paid a taxi company to take us places around the island(day tour) for 70 Euros, we visited Calhau, Hiked to Viana Volcano, drove along Baia Grande, visited Praia das Gatas, Salamansa and Monte Verde, plus you a Miradouro or viewpoint of the city of Mindelo from the top of a hill. We had the best driver and guide called Bruni.
