Sao Vicente

São Vicente, yet especially its exuberant, lively capital of Mindelo, belong to the highlights of a trip to Cape Verde. The 227 km² large island is almost free of vegetation. Highly bizarre mountain formations that reach a height of 750 m and deep valleys characterize the landscape. However, as opposed to its neighbouring islands, São Vicente offers wonderful, light-sanded beaches that are located in São Pedro in the western part of the island, on the Baia das Gatas in the northeast and in Calhau in the southeast.

The 60'000 inhabitant large Mindelo, with its lovely bay that is rightly recognized as one of the most beautiful natural bays on the Atlantic, its characteristic structures from the colonial period, its picturesque fish market, its numerous discos, bars and restaurants, its samba schools, its artists, its colourful and boisterous carnivals that greet thousands of visitors year for year during the Lenten season and its almost metropolitan flair is the expression of a small peoples and a lifestyle that is anchored in the soul of the people despite its often sensitive financial situation and its traumatic history.

Mindelo is not only the secret capital of Cape Verde, it is also the intellectually cultural middle point of the archipelago. Here is home to the "voices of Cape Verde", from Cesaria Evora, the queen of Morna to Teofilo Chantre and Bana, two of the most successful Cabo Verde artists and Lura, the new musical star.