The Royal Routes of Santiago Island - Cape Verde: Private Day Tours and Airport Transfers

Be welcomed by our professional driver and a licensed guide at Nelson Mandela Airport. Enjoy a high quality private transfer to your accommodation in Praia, including free waiting time. Our team will also take you from door to door with complete security and professionalism, providing all relevant information about your stay. (Customizable airport pick up according to flight arrival time)

Start with pickup from your accommodation in Praia, and first visit the Dona Maria Pia Lighthouse. Take stunning pictures from the top of the Lighthouse surrounded by the large cannons installed to protect the island from the attack of pirates such as Francis Drake and Jacques Cassard. Make your way to the historical center of Plateau. Take a walking tour through the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, passing by the Presidential Palace and Alexandre Albuquerque Square. In the Municipal Market, meet locals and find a diverse range of fresh local fruits and vegetables. Next, explore the largest souvenir market to be found in Cape Verde, the Sucupira Market. Your tour progresses to Cidade Velha Explore, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, visit all its highlights such as the Royal Fortress of São Felipe, the ruins of the first sub-Saharan African Cathedral, the fishermen bay, the former slave market in Pelourinho, the famous Banana Street with its traditional houses, the Nossa Senhora do Rosario church, and finally the Convent of São Francisco. At lunch, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the city, and taste local delights in a typical restaurant right on the seafront. The tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel in Praia.

Get picked up at your hotel in Praia, then depart towards the interior of the island. Make your first stop at Mrs. Luisa's house. There, sample cuscuz (a traditional cake made from corn flour) and fidjós (fried banana), the typical breakfast for Cape Verdean families. After breakfast, continue to the city of Assomada. Visit its famous market and admire the vibrant colours of the local fruits and vegetables. Move on to the Serra Malagueta natural park and marvel at the incredible views from 1000 meters (3,280.84 ft) above sea level. Next, discover Santiago's most beautiful beach at Tarrafal, known for its white sand and crystal-clear waters. Take a break for lunch, then return along the east coast of the island. Visit the Rabelados religious community, the only community that still lives in thatched houses and preserves the oldest customs and beliefs of Cape Verde. The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation in Praia.

Get picked up at your accommodation in Praia and depart towards Nelson Mandela international airport. Take your international flight back and say goodbye longing for La Morabeza Crioula!!!