Book your plane ticket to Sal

Why Sal?

Sal is all about relaxing and nature. Your accommodation is just steps from the beach, with the Atlantic Ocean always close by. Spend your days soaking up the sun and the sea, then pull up a chair at a restaurant in the evening for fresh fish and Cape Verdean music. The island is easy to get around, but offers enough variety to fill your days. 

What can you do in Sal?

You won't have to look far for things to do in Sal. The beach is right on your doorstep, and a short drive gets you to another part of the island. Head to Kite Beach and try kitesurfing or just watch the pros do their thing. Visit Pedra de Lume and take a dip in the salty crater water. Prefer something more laid-back? Stroll along Santa Maria Beach or head to the pier at the end of the afternoon and watch the fishermen bring in their catch. 

What you don't want to miss in Sal

A few spots that really show what Sal is all about: 

• Pedra de Lume: drive into an old volcanic crater, then step into the salty water where you easily stay afloat. 
• Santa Maria: the heart of daily life on the island. Wander past shops and restaurants, and you'll almost always end up at the pier. 
• Buracona: a spot where the sea crashes against the rocks and the water sometimes glows a vivid blue due to the underwater lavatunnel.

The neighbourhoods of Sal

Start in Santa Maria. Most hotels are here, restaurants are easy to find, and the beach is within walking distance. It's quiet during the day and livelier around the boulevard in the evenings.

From there, head to Espargos. This is the island's largest town, where you get a better feeling for everyday life. Pedra de Lume offers a completely different landscape: dry, open, with the crater as its centrepiece. Sal may be small, but it has a surprising variety of places to explore.

• Santa Maria: enjoy the beach, restaurants and most amenities.
• Espargos: practical and local, less focused on tourists. 
• Pedra de Lume: known for the salt crater and open landscape.

Explore the culture and highlights of Sal 

The pier, bays and beaches

Life on Sal revolves around sun, sea and being outdoors. As soon as you arrive, you notice how everything happens near the water: fishermen returning with their catch, children playing on the pier and kites dancing above the beach.

• Shark Bay: wade through shallow water while small friendly sharks swim past your feet.
• Santa Maria Pier: at the end of the day, people gather here. Fishermen pull in their lines and children jump into the water.
• Kite Beach: watch the sky fill with kites — or get out on the water yourself.
• Murdeira Bay: walk along the rocky coastline and look out over the calm water. A great spot to escape the bustle of Santa Maria.
• Calheta Funda: enjoy a quiet bay with dark rocks and clear water. A lovely place to stop on a drive around the island.

Eating and drinking in Sal

On Sal, eating and drinking happens outdoors. Tables are set on terraces or almost in the sand, with the sound of the sea always in the background. Walking through Santa Maria, you'll soon catch the scent of grilled fish, fresh fruit and herbs drifting from small kitchens. The food is simple, fresh and often straight from the sea or the island itself.

• Restaurants in Santa Maria: try the fish or cachupa, a hearty stew made with maize and beans.
• Beach bars: order a drink and sit with your feet in the sand.
• Local drinks: give grogue a try! It's a strong spirit made from sugarcane.

Nightlife and clubs in Sal

Evenings on Sal start slowly. People linger after dinner, the music gets a little louder and the streets of Santa Maria fill up naturally. You move from one terrace to the next, hear live music drifting from open doors, and notice that no one is in a hurry. The nightlife is small but lively, and mostly takes place outdoors.

• Bars in Santa Maria: small bars along Via Santa Maria and the surrounding side streets, with music spilling out of open doors and people sitting outside with a drink.
• Clubs: for those who want to keep the night going, there are a few nightclubs in the centre.

Travel information for your flight to Sal

Sal is located off the west coast of Africa and is part of Cape Verde. It's warm here all year round, with plenty of sunshine and very little rain.

What to pack? 

• Light clothing and sun protection: the sun shines almost every day, so pack light layers and a good sunscreen. 
• Shoes for rocky spots: useful when visiting bays where the sand gives way to stones or lava rocks. 
• A light layer for the evenings: once the wind picks up, it can cool down quickly, especially along the coast. 

Flight information

From the Netherlands, the flight to Sal takes around 6 hours. The airport is located near the town of Espargos. 

Getting to the centre

• Taxi: the most popular option from the airport.  
• Minibus (aluguer): a cheaper option, but is doesn't run on a fixed schedule.  
• Hire car: great if you want to explore the island at your own pace. 

Book your cheap flight to Sal

On Sal, you move between the beach, short drives and easy days. The island feels light and uncomplicated: one moment you're on the beach, the next you're in a village, and then you're off to another bay. Wondering if a last-minute trip here is worth it? You'll quickly discover how good it feels to spend a few days on this island. Fresh air, lots of time outdoors and a pace of life that lets you truly unwind.