Book your plane ticket to Praia

Why Praia? 

Praia and Santiago combine city and nature in a way you'll find on very few other islands. In Praia you stroll past markets, squares and restaurants. Half an hour's drive and you're in the interior, surrounded by mountains and quiet villages. If you love sun and sea, you're in the right place too. Quebra Canela beach is within walking distance of the city centre. When night falls, the city comes alive with music and people sitting outside at cosy bars and restaurants. 

What can you do in Praia? 

Praia has something for both beach holiday lovers and adventure travellers. Stroll through Plateau, the elevated city centre with colonial buildings and terraces. Or drive to Cidade Velha, the old capital 10 km from Praia. If you're looking for activity, you can hike through the mountains in the middle of the island. Hire a surfboard too if you dare to take on the waves! 

What you won't want to miss in Praia 

No two days need to be the same on Santiago. These are our favourites: 

• Plateau: the historic centre of Praia, elevated above the rest, with colonial buildings and a central square where people gather. 
• Cidade Velha: the old capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you'll find the Pelourinho pillory, the cathedral ruins and the fort on the hill. 
• Fortaleza Real de São Filipe: a 16th-century fort above Cidade Velha with views over the bay and the ocean. 
• Tarrafal: a sheltered black sand beach on the northern coast of the island, surrounded by palm trees with a calm sea perfect for swimming. 
• Serra Malagueta: the national park in the interior, with hiking trails through green mountain slopes and viewpoints over the coast. 

The neighbourhoods and villages of Praia and Santiago 

Start in Plateau. This is where most restaurants, shops and a city park are located. The centre sits higher than the rest of the city, giving you sea views from almost everywhere. Wander through the narrow streets and you'll naturally find your way to the central square, where music plays in the evenings and people dine outside.

Then head to Achada Santo António, the newer district to the south of the centre. Among the yellow, blue and red houses and apartment blocks you'll also find plenty of restaurants. For those wanting a day outside the city, Assomada is a great choice. This inland town has a busy market where you can see more of everyday life on Santiago. 

• Plateau: the old centre with most restaurants, shops and the city life of Praia. 
• Achada Santo António: the newer district with practical amenities and a different pace. 
• Assomada: a market town in the interior, great for a day trip. 

Explore the culture and special places of Praia and Santiago 

Beaches and nature

Quebra Canela beach is within walking distance of the centre of Praia. It's not a large beach, but the water is calm and there are beach clubs where you can relax. Further from the city are quieter spots. Inland, the landscape changes quickly: dry and rocky along the coast, greener and cooler in the mountains. 

• Quebra Canela: Praia's city beach, close to the centre with beach bars along the waterfront. 
• Tarrafal Beach: a sheltered black sand beach in the north of the island, where fishermen set out early in the morning. 
• Serra Malagueta: hiking area with mountain trails and viewpoints, about an hour's drive from Praia. 
• Ponta Preta: a beach just outside the city known for its waves, where surfers and kitesurfers gather. 

Eating and drinking in Praia

In Praia, most dining takes place in Plateau. Restaurants line the square and the side streets. Most menus feature fresh fish, cachupa and grilled meat. The food is simple and fresh. In the morning, you can buy freshly squeezed juice at the market or a cuscuz with sugar and coconut from one of the stalls. 

• Restaurants in Plateau: here you can eat cachupa, a stew of maize and beans, or fresh fish from the island. 
• Praia market: fresh produce, grocers and small snack bars selling local breakfast. 
• Local drink: try grogue, a strong sugar cane spirit made on all the islands of Cape Verde. 
• Tarrafal: small restaurants right on the beach serve the daily catch from local fishermen. 

Travel information for your flight to Praia 

Praia is located in the Atlantic Ocean, off the west coast of Africa. It's warm all year round, with plenty of sunshine and a constant breeze that keeps things cool.

What to pack? 

• Light clothing and sun cream: the sun shines here almost every day, and even in the shade you feel the warmth. 
• Sturdy shoes: useful if you're heading to Cidade Velha, the Assomada market or hiking trails in the mountains. 
• Valid passport: your passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon arrival. No visa is required for stays of up to 30 days. 
• Cape Verdean escudos: at markets and small eateries you pay in the local currency. Large hotels and restaurants also accept euros. 

Flight information

From the Netherlands, the flight to Praia takes approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. You land at Nelson Mandela International Airport, located a few kilometres from the city centre.

Getting to the centre 

• Taxi: the quickest option from the airport — agree on a price in advance. 
• Minibus (Aluguer): the shared minibus used by locals, cheaper but with a less fixed schedule. 
• Car hire: ideal if you want to explore the island independently and visit the mountain villages and the north.

Book your cheap flight to Praia 

Praia is a destination where you use the city as your base. The distances on Santiago are very manageable and there's more than enough to fill a week. Fancy a spontaneous getaway? Praia also works well as a last-minute destination. It's warm all year round and the flight time is very reasonable.