Cape Verde is ten islands, not one destination, and the trip you get depends entirely on which ones you string together. These itineraries show what fits in a week, ten days or a fortnight, which islands pair well, and how much time the flights and ferries really cost you.
How long do you need in Cape Verde?
| Trip length | Islands | Works well for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | 1–2 | A beach week, or beaches plus a first taste of the mountains |
| 10 days | 2 | A beach island plus a green or cultural one, without rushing |
| 2 weeks | 3 | Beaches, hiking and culture, with real island hopping |
| 3 weeks or more | 4+ | Adding the quiet islands: Maio, São Nicolau, Brava or Fogo |
The limiting factor is not distance but connections. Most domestic flights are short, but they do not run every day on every route, and a single hop can eat half a day by the time you add check-in and transfers. As a rule, allow one travel day per island change, and do not plan an island change on the day you fly home.
Ready-made itineraries
- 1 week in Cape Verde: a relaxed beach week on Sal or Boa Vista, or beaches plus hiking via São Vicente and Santo Antão.
- 10 days in Cape Verde: the sweet spot, pairing a beach island with the green north.
- 2 weeks in Cape Verde: three islands, with time for the Santo Antão hikes and a volcano.
Each is a day-by-day plan you can shorten or swap around.
Island combinations that actually work
| Combination | Connection | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| São Vicente + Santo Antão | Ferry, about 1 hour | Music and city life, then the best hiking in the country |
| Sal + São Vicente + Santo Antão | Short flight, then ferry | The classic first trip: beaches, culture and mountains |
| Sal + Boa Vista | Short flight | Two beach islands, wildlife and dunes; easy with children |
| Santiago + Fogo | Short flight | History and Creole culture, then the volcano |
| Fogo + Brava | Ferry | Slow travel in the south, for travellers with time |
Combinations to think twice about: Sal with Fogo or Brava (long connections through Praia), and anything that needs two travel days in a one-week trip. See island hopping in Cape Verde for routes and timings.
How island hopping works
- Domestic flights link the main islands and are the fastest option. Book ahead in high season; see domestic flights.
- Ferries serve some routes. The one every visitor uses is Mindelo to Porto Novo for Santo Antão, about an hour. See ferries.
- Buffer days matter. Flights and sailings can be moved or cancelled. Never connect to an international flight on the same day if you can avoid it.
- Luggage: domestic flights have lower baggage limits than the flight you arrived on.
Which itinerary suits your trip?
- Beach and sunshine: one island, either Sal or Boa Vista. See Sal or Boa Vista?
- Hiking: São Vicente plus Santo Antão, with at least three full days for the classic routes.
- Culture and history: Santiago, including Cidade Velha, and Mindelo for music.
- Wildlife: Boa Vista or Sal, timed for turtles (June–October) or humpbacks (March–May).
- Families: one beach island, resort-based; see Cape Verde with kids.
- Volcano: Fogo, with a night in Chã das Caldeiras before climbing Pico do Fogo.
When to go, and what that changes
Cape Verde is a year-round destination, but the calendar shapes your itinerary. November to March is cooler, drier and windiest, which suits hiking and kitesurfing. August and September are hottest and bring the little rain that falls; the mountain islands are greenest in October.
Two wildlife seasons are worth planning around: humpback whales off Boa Vista from March to May, and nesting turtles from June to October. See best time to visit and our month-by-month guide.
Five mistakes to avoid
- Too many islands. Three in a week means you spend it in airports.
- Tight connections. Leave a night between a domestic and an international flight.
- Assuming daily services. Not every route runs every day.
- Underestimating road time. On Santo Antão and Fogo, short distances take a long time.
- Booking late in high season. December to March and Carnival fill up, on flights and in guesthouses.
Frequently asked questions
How many islands can you visit in a week in Cape Verde?
Realistically one or two. Inter-island flights and ferries take time, so most people enjoy a week more by settling into one or two islands than by rushing several.
What is the best Cape Verde itinerary?
For a first trip, a beach island plus a green one: Sal or Boa Vista for the sand, then São Vicente and Santo Antão for music and hiking. Ten days is the sweet spot for that combination.
Is it easy to island hop in Cape Verde?
It is straightforward but slow. Domestic flights link the main islands in under an hour, and ferries connect a few, notably Mindelo to Porto Novo on Santo Antão. Schedules change, so leave buffer days.
How many days do you need in Cape Verde?
A week for one or two islands, ten days for a beach island plus a green one, and two weeks for three islands without rushing.
Which islands go well together?
São Vicente and Santo Antão (a one-hour ferry apart), Sal and Boa Vista (a short flight), and Santiago with Fogo or Brava in the south.
Should you book domestic flights before you travel?
Yes, especially between December and March and around Carnival. Seats on the smaller routes sell out, and last-minute fares are higher.