San Nicolau

Colloquially known as "Santo Antão's little sister". This association is however based on the mountainous landscape, which consists of high, bizarre massifs and deep valleys and canyons, much like its larger neighbour. Culturally, however, São Nicolau is a number above its big sister. The island was for many years the cultural and spiritual centre of Cape Verde. Its cultural-historic importance is due in part to the priest seminary founded on the island at the end of the 19th century.

As with Santo Antão, the island disposes of two completely different zones of climate. The administrative area of the island is the 3'500 inhabitant large town of Vila da Ribeira Brava, located in deeply cut valley.

Small allies with brightly painted houses and cultivated gardens characterize the picturesque image of this small town. Particularly impressive is the lovely church that, at the end of the 19th century, had stood almost 8 decades as the most important diocesan town in western Africa.

São Nicolau is still a tourist insider's tip and the number of visitors doesn't play much of a role. It is however even more attractive for those travellers who treasure the great natural serenity of this island and are ready to share the simply life conditions with the local population for a period of time.