Places / Africa / Cape Verde
Praia
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At a glance
- Country
- Cape Verde
- Region
- Santiago
- Population
- 140,000
- Best time to go
- November to June
- Main airport
- Praia Nelson Mandela International (RAI)
- Coordinates
- 14.93°N, 23.51°W
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Overview
Cape Verde's capital sits on the southern coast of Santiago, the largest and most African of the islands. Its historic core, the Plateau, stands on a flat-topped hill above the bay, with pastel colonial buildings, a busy market and views over the ocean.
Praia is a working city rather than a resort, and that is its appeal. Come for music, cachupa and a slice of everyday island life, then head out to explore Santiago's mountains and beaches.
Things to see
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Photo: Cefas-angel, CC BY-SA 4.0 The Plateau
The old town on its clifftop plateau, with a pedestrian street, the main square and colonial-era churches and buildings.
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Photo: Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 3.0 Ethnographic Museum
A small museum on the Plateau showing traditional weaving, pottery and everyday objects from across the islands.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Alacoolwiki, CC BY-SA 4.0 Quebra Canela beach
The city's most popular beach, a sheltered sandy cove where locals swim at weekends.
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Sucupira market
A sprawling market below the Plateau selling everything from fish and fruit to cloth and music.
Things to do
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Photo: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0 Day trip to Cidade Velha
Just west of Praia, the first European colonial town in the tropics has a hilltop fort, ruined cathedral and stone pillory.
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Photo: Chielbuseyne, CC BY-SA 4.0 Hike Serra Malagueta
Misty mountain trails in the north of Santiago, with ridge views and terraced valleys far below.
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Photo: Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 3.0 Beach day at Tarrafal
A long drive across the island leads to a calm crescent of sand and clear water, good for snorkelling.
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Photo: Xandu, Public domain Live music and cachupa
Hear morna and funaná in a local bar, and try cachupa, the slow-cooked national stew of corn and beans.
Where to stay
Plateau
Historic and central, with simple hotels close to the market, museums and restaurants.
Hotels in PlateauPrainha
The smartest seafront area, with hotels, embassies and a small beach.
Hotels in PrainhaAchada Santo António
Residential and well connected, with good-value guesthouses and local eateries.
Hotels in Achada Santo António
Getting around
Taxis are cheap and easy to flag down. Shared minibuses called hiaces run around Santiago from the main market.
The airport is just outside the city, around 15 minutes by taxi to the Plateau.
When to go
Praia is warm and dry for most of the year, with the most comfortable weather from November to June. A short rainy season usually falls between August and October.
Plan your trip to Praia
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.