São Nicolau Travel Guide: Top Sights in Cape verde, Tours & Travel

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São Nicolau- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Natural Scenery; Cape Verde; 5 Reviews

Suggested Duration: 72 hours

São Nicolau is a mountainous island in the Barlavento group of Cape Verde, covering 343 km² and home to 12,424 residents. Located between Santa Luzia and Sal, it features two main towns, Ribeira Brava and Tarrafal de São Nicolau. The island was first settled in the 17th century and was once the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde. Known for its agriculture, São Nicolau also faces periodic droughts, particularly in lower regions. The highest point is Monte Gordo at 1,312 meters. São Nicolau is accessible via its domestic airport and a port with ferry connections to São Vicente and Santiago.

Operators offering tours in Cape Verde

Happy Explore Safari *

Attractions in São Nicolau

Juncalinho

Praia Branca

Fajã de Baixo

Ribeira Brava

Tarrafal de São Nicolau

Reviews of São Nicolau

Sarah Kleiner (Sailing SV CUBA)

5
Reviewed: 2022-12-03

Beautiful town of Tarrafal, very clean and nicely kept. Bery friendly locals! By fruit and veg in the morning - otherwise the shelf are pretty empty. -- For cruisers: If you anchor your boat be cautious of strong wind gusts coming down the mountains mainly in the afternoon. - better holding near the ferry entrance but stay clear enough for bigger boats or the police will ask you to move out of the way.
Julian Reis

5
Reviewed: 2022-08-08

Sao nicolau is absolutely beautiful, people are super friendly. Great relaxing place to be one with nature.
Andreea Munteanu

5
Reviewed: 2022-02-11

This island is spectacular qnd highly underrated. Good for hikes, swims and taste a little of the local life, Sao Nicolao offers good hikes and incredible views. There is a nice green area and tons of routes you can take.
Helder Pereira

5
Reviewed: 2018-11-22

The island of Sao Nicolau is a most go for tourist and even locals from the other islands. The people are very welcoming and everyone will offer help if they can. Definitely try their "Grogo"
Sergio Machado

5
Reviewed: 2018-06-07

São Nicolau is a spectacular island. Isolated of the noise and confusion in another turistic islands, São Nicolau can offer a singular sensation about the ORIGINAL. Calm and soft, the atmosphere is bucolic and rich with different landscapes, sometimes completely empty of people. The visitors can walk during hours, freely and without afraid with nothing. The local people are kind, and the nature is fabulous. I recomend to visit São Nicolau Island on Dry Season (Winter) and on humid Season (November). It's because the island change completely. To stay, the island offer different options, inside and outside the city or on countryside, and I recomend to taste all. I had was hosted on Farinha de Pau, in Praia Branca. It was fantastic! Familiar enviromnent, very warm welcome, and the place is very very cozy and ecologicaly correct. Be Welcome