Cabo Verde · Santo Antão
Santo Antão travel guide
Dramatic green valleys and world-class hiking
The green valleys of Santo Antão. Photo: No machine-readable author provided...., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Santo Antão is a mountainous, green island an hour by ferry from Mindelo, with some of the most spectacular hiking in the Atlantic. Paths wind down from volcanic craters through terraced valleys to the sea.
The Paul and Ribeira Grande valleys are the highlights, with sugar cane, grogue rum and tiny villages.
What Santo Antão is known for
- Cova crater
A green volcanic crater.
- Paul Valley
A classic downhill hike.
- Grogue
Local sugar-cane rum.
- Ponta do Sol
A coastal path to Fontainhas.
Top things to do in Santo Antão
Where to stay in Santo Antão
Best time to visit Santo Antão
Best value: Jun–Jul, Oct. November to June: dry, clear walking weather.
- Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
- PeakBusiest, highest prices
- QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
Getting there and around
About 5h 45m from London to VXE, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?
Ferry from Mindelo, then aluguers or a driver.
Good to know
- Hike downhill: take a taxi to the top.
- Seas can be rough on the ferry.
- Bring cash: few card machines.
Santo Antão FAQ
How many days on Santo Antão?
Three or four.
Is it hard hiking?
There are walks for all levels.
More places in Cabo Verde
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