Olá from Cape Verde! More precisely from Ilha do Sal (Salt Island). After sailing the Atlantic Ocean for 5 days, my boyfriend and I are happy to find some rest and just disconnect from the world.

Sailing is much harder than I expected… and those night shifts just killed me! 🙂 

Sal is supposedly the most touristy destination of Cape Verde and a good start if you’re all new in the Capeverdean archipelago. For my part, I can’t wait to just check-in in a nice hotel and enjoy beachlife… for some time only!

So here they go, my favorite things to do on Sal, Cape Verde.

Whereas Palmeira is the capital of Sal Island, Cape Verde, Santa Maria, in the southern part of the island is the main hub. Most hotels, activities, restaurants are located here.

Read more about Where To Stay on Cape Verde

In Santa Maria, you can find hotels and resorts for any budget:

For some, Santa Maria beach might seem an artificial tourist hub (which it totally is, since it happens that locals get their water cut off so that tourists can take long, warm showers, on a desert island), thus if you want to get some of the real Cape Verdean atmosphere I recommend either to stay in Palmeira or/and visit other islands such as the green gem Santo Antao, the cultural hot spot of Mindelo in Sao Vicente etc.

Don’t mistake Cape Verde for being only about beach holidays & sun, which is the main theme of Sal Island. Cape Verde has a million more things to offer!

Read more about other Cape Verdean islands.

By boat, we arrive in Palmeira, home to the main port of Ilha do Sal. With the size of a fishing village, you can easily see the main spots in a few hours.

But first, we need to get our visas at the local police station and that’s where we realize that Cape Verde goes on a different rhythm.

Visit Palmeira with a full day tour or half-day excursion from Santa Maria.

Here, 5 minutes mean at least 1 hour. For a “quick” coffee, calculate 30-40 min. No wonder that “No Stress” is the unofficial mantra of the archipelago!

Afterwards, we’ll realize that Palmeira is with Espargos the most authentic city of Sal island. Santa María, in the south, is on the best way to become a tourist stronghold. What I liked best about Palmeira were its colorful house fronts which transmitted an almost Caribbean feeling.

Furthermore, prices were half as high as in Santa María. 

Visit Palmeira with a full day tour or half-day excursion from Santa Maria.

It takes you approx. 40 minutes to get from Palmeira to Santa María. Take the aluguer (a bus with no fixed schedule leaving when it’s full) to Espargos (0,50$) and then another one to Santa María (1$).

Indeed it is a fun ride to enjoy the wind breeze in your hair and watch the desert landscape of Santa Maria. We had quite an adventurous feeling.

If you are looking fo things to do in Sal, a road trip by aluguer or a guided tour, is definitely a must.

Book here your full day tour or half-day excursion from Santa Maria.

Santa María, end station of Sal’s main road, is a bubbly and colourful village on the way to become a major tourist destination. Big hotels are in construction and tour operators increase their volumes every season. Prices are high, many times comparable to Northern Europe.

Enjoy the beauty of Santa Maria, Sal with a horse ride for beginners or experts 

The fantastic sandy beach with turquoise water and its perfect conditions for kitesurfing are its main attraction. Nevertheless you can still see at any corner tracks of the African-Creole atmosphere like at the Mercado Municipal where you can buy local fruits and crafts.

Please visit the tailor from Senegal, a true artist! I couldn’t resist to order him a tailor-made dress with cloth from Guinea-Bissau. In a few hours, he tailors you any model from your favorite fashion magazine.

Here, tourism can support a local craftsman!

Book here your entrance ticket to the Salt Mines

The “village” has gone from the richest place on the island to an almost godforsaken spot. A 100 years ago, the salt mines gave the island international fame until they became unprofitable.

Nowadays you visit them for 5€. I loved the sensation of floating in the salty water. Even when you’re standing on both feet, you’re still not sinking! Its mud will get you a baby skin again and all my skin blemishes just vanished!

For me, the Salinas of Pedra Lume are definitely a must do when visiting Sal.

Book here your entrance ticket to the Salt Mines

In Espargos you’ll imbibe the authentic Capeverdean life: take your time for a coffee & popcorn on the main square and watch life passing by. Indeed most locals do not live in Santa Maria, but in Espargos or Palmeira.

The administrative capital has the most important viewpoint of the island: a hill obscured with satellites controlled by the US from which you can oversee the entire island (only 122km²!).

Visit Espargos with a full day tour or half-day excursion from Santa Maria.

Did you know that Cape Verde is recognized as the third most important nesting area for loggerhead turtles in the world?

Between May and October, you’ll have the opportunity to assist turtles nesting and laying their eggs, as well as baby turtles hatching and making for the sea.

Book here your turtle watching experience in Sal, Cape Verde

The activity is carried out at night and you should always keep your distance to the turtles. Be a respectful traveller and listen to your guide.

Keep in mind it’s forbidden to go to the hatching areas on your own, but you can go with a guide. Some of the beaches are even closed during the breeding season.

Book here your turtle watching experience in Sal, Cape Verde

There are several bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a drink or a meal with a seaview.

Sal boasts a few beaches, but the one at Santa Maria is definitely the most famous and most beautiful one.

The second beach of Sal, also very close to Santa Maria is known as the “Kitebeach”. You can either reach it by aluguer (collective taxi) or by walking 20 minutes from the center of Santa Maria.

From far away you’ll already spot dozens of colorful kites.

Sal island is a hub for kitesurfers and hosts several championships throughout the year.

You can easily take a kitesurfing lesson at the Kitebeach where you can also rent the equipment.

Related: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Cape Verde

Sal is a great place to go scuba diving, because the waters surrounding the island are home to vivid underwater life. Whether it will be your first time doing a SCUBA dive or if you are already a half-pro, you’ll love the experience.

Book here your scuba diving experience in Sal, Cape Verde

Some of the animals that you’ll see are for example turtles, puffer fish, little sharks… (They don’t do anything though!) If you are super lucky, you’ll even spot some whales. 

Please remember to be respectful when you do a SCUBA immersion. Don’t take anything out from the sea, only memories.

Book here your shark Watching Experience in Sal, Cape Verde

Ilha do Sal, mostly composed by desert, will definitely conquer you by its warm-hearted people and colourful stains sprayed all over the island.

Basically, it got me excited to discover and get to know more of Cape Verde. I can only recommend visiting this laid back part of the archipelago before it becomes fully exploited by mass tourism. 

Get here the best selection on activities and tours in Sal, Cape Verde. From Scuba diving to Desert Adventures and much more…

We stayed in Ocean Café Suites. Located at Santa María’s main square, this hotel counts 6 carefully decorated Suites, named by famous Capeverdean singers. 

 For more information about tourism on Sal, Cape Verde, I recommend the following webpage: Tourism of Sal, Cape Verde.

Related: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Cape Verde