Sao Vicente is the Cape Verde island for culture; music, history and architecture. A charming mix of African Creole culture and colonial influences, in the colourful portuguese style buildings, cobbled streets and English architecture.
There are also some good beaches – Sao Pedro and Calhau being great for surfing or the Baia das Gatas with its beautiful, shallow lagoon is ideal for swimming (and weekend partying!)
The capital and main town of Sao Vicente is Mindelo. Mindelo has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, with lively cafe’s and vibrant nightlife aswell as the lovely white sand Laginha beach, which is approx 800m long and up to 20m wide.
Around the bay is the sheltered, modern marina with 120 berths. Mindelo is set in a bay with a fabulous backdrop provided by two extinct volcanoes and the Monte Cara, a mountain named as it appears to be a face, gazing up at the sunny blue sky.
Porto Grande in Mindelo is a natural deep water shipping port, which also brings regular visitors by cruise ships. From here, you can take the ferry across to explore Santa Antao, which has a very different (and green!) landscape.
Significant to Sao Vicente is the carnivals, which take place in February in Mindelo and the August Full Moon Festival held at Baia das Gatas which brings groups from all over the islands and further afield.
