Welcome to Santiago Island!
The largest island in the archipelago and the first to be populated, Santiago is rich in history and culture and known for its lively nightlife. The various mountainous peaks of the island reflect its volcanic origin, with many cultural and historical places to visit, and beautiful white and black sand beaches too. The mountains surrounded are really impressive.
Santiago island is the home to Cabo Verde’s capital, Praia, Santiago is an island rich in history, also functioning as the main hub for inter-island transport across the country. Green valleys and lush plantations meet rugged mountains and bustling African towns, offering visitors yet another side to CaboVerde’s impressive diversity.
The country’s old capital, Cidade Velha (Old City), was the first city to be built by Europeans in West Africa, and today is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, having once acted as the main slave trading point between Africa, Europe and America. Visitors can explore the Old City and gain an insight into where Cabo Verde history began.
For an authentic experience take an excursion that includes a trip to the colourful African market where you will see how the locals socialise and shop for their everyday needs.
MOST POPULAR
MOST POPULAR
PRAIA CITY TOUR /CIDADE VELHA CITY
Guided tour in the morning in Praia city- the capital city of Cabo Verde, it´s the largest and the most populated city of Cabo Verde, Plateau is the city center with plenty of cultural and historical places to visit. In the afternoon guided tour in Cidade Velha, the former capital city of Cabo Verde, very important place in the history of Cabo Verde, considered World Heritage of Humanity in 2009 by UNESCO.
AVAILABLE ALL YEAR 
DURATION 3 - 4h 
FROM 90€
SANTIAGO ISLAND TOUR
For an authentic experience, take the Island tour excursion, it allows you to explore and experience the entire island, with plenty of historical and cultural places to visit. It´s a full day tour which leads you to all the cities on the island and its famous tourist attractions. This is the best way to discover Santiago Island.
- Available ALL YEAR
- Duration All Day
- From 90€
HIKING IN THE CALABACEIRA VALLEY/CIDADE VELHA TOUR
Calabaceira valley is a wonderful place to hike, great place to be in contact with the nature. It is an agricultural area with many fruit plants. While hiking in the valley you will visit the place where the local rum “Grogue” is produced. This hike will end up at Cidade Velha- there you will have a city tour visiting all the monuments at the city, considered world heritage of humanity since 2009.
- Available ALL YEAR
- Duration All Day
- From 90€
SERRA MALAGUETA NATURAL PARK AND BOA ENTRADA VALLEY
Serra Malagueta Natural Park has a mild climate, it´s a perfect place for hiking lovers, and for those who want to be in contact with the nature. With about twenty species of endemic plants, birds, this place offers a panoramic view of the island due to its altitude 1064 meters of altitude, after the hike you´ll visit the impressive valley of Boa Entrada, down to the oldest and largest tree in Cabo Verde- It has about 700 years old, presents itself majestically.
- Available ALL YEAR
- Duration 4 - 5h
- From 90€
HIKING TO PICO DA ANTONIA MOUNTAIN
The hike starts from a small village called Rui Vaz, located in the middle of the island, hiking to Pico da Antonia Mountain can be challenging but worth when you get on top. It offers you an exceptional panorama on the island, It´s the highest point on the island with 1394 meters of altitude. There you feel like you are at the end of the world touching the sky.
- Available ALL YEAR
- Duration 4 - 5h
- From 90€
MOST POPULARBOAT TRIP TO AGUAS BELAS CAVE+ BARBECUE ON THE BEACH
The boat trip starts from a small fishing village- Porto Ribeira da Barca from there you will take a colorful traditional fishing boat to get to the famous Cave. Located 3 km from the village the cave is a magical place to discover. During the trip, you will have the opportunity to feel the sea breeze, and appreciate the beautiful landscapes around. After visiting the cave, you will stop at a small paradisiac black sand beach to swim and have BBQ.
- Available ALL YEAR
- Duration 4 - 5h
- From 90€
MOST POPULARHIKING FROM SERRA MALAGUETA TO PRINCIPAL VALLEY
The hike starts from Serra Malagueta Natural Park down to Principal village. Principal is one of the greenest valleys on the Island while hiking you´ll experience country life and interact with the locals. You will be able to observe the green landscapes surrounded by different types of plants. The presence of fruit trees and local agricultural products contributes to a rich and varied local cuisine. All this to offer the visitors a memorable and unforgettable experience.
- Available ALL YEAR
- Duration 3 - 4h
- From 90€
MOST POPULARHIKING FROM SERRA MALAGUETA NATURAL PARK TO GONGON VALLEY
This hike starts from Serra Malagueta Natural Park first you have to hike the natural park and then going down to Gongon Valley -Considered one of the most beautiful hike on Santiago Island, it is green the all year, its landscapes is fascinating and the locals are very welcoming. Great opportunity to experience the rural world and taste the local food.
- Available ALL YEAR
- Duration 4 - 5h
- From 90€
MOST POPULARTRADITIONAL FOOD COOKING CLASS
Visiting Santiago Island can be even more fascinating if you learn how to prepare and cook Cape Verdean traditional dishes such as "Katxupa" "Xarem" etc. This is one of the best and unforgettable experience you can have. We will take you to a local family house and teach you how to cook Cape Verdean food, and of course, after cooking you can taste the food together with the locals.
- Available ALL YEAR
- Duration 4 - 5h
- From $90
MOST POPULARTRANSFER SERVICE AIRPORT/HOTEL/AIRPORT
We can pick you up and drop you off from the airport to your hotel and from your hotel to the airport anytime, you wish, with a personalized and comfortable service including free Wi-Fi during your trip.
- Available ALL YEAR
- From 90€
Customer Reviews
Excellent!
Super vacances, guides à l'écoute des clients. Possibilité de modifier le parcours tout au long du séjour. Sympathiques et professionnels, nous avons pu profiter des îles en toute sécurité.
Ilha de Santiago
Fizemos uma visita de um dia pela ilha de Santiago com a rural tours, na pessoa do Aldino, que recomendo! O dia começou com a viagem da Praia até à cidade de Assomada com o seu mercado característico na agitação de um sábado de manhã!.
Hiking Águas Belas Cave
I liked very much the 3-hour hike through the stark landscape, first to the cave and then on to Ribeira de Barca: the sea turqoise near the land and dark blue further away, the land ochre with dark red to black and dotted with green bushes, and the light blue sky above - just lovely colors. And all that with a refreshing wind - never got too hot - and a very considerate guide who checked time and again that the speed of hiking was suitable for me, and Apollo knows the area like his own home. Great experience.
Hiking Serra Malagueta Natural Park
I was staying in Achada Lem and hiked in Serra Malagueta on Saturday myself. In the evening I was warn by hotel personnel that it is better not to hike in the Natural park on Sunday, because there were a couple of cases, when local teenagers were attacking the tourists and stealing their phones and money. I was doubtful, if I should get a local guide or go myself but when a girl at the reception said that someone from the Rural tours has "beautiful English". Read More
Hiking to Antonia Peak
I kinda had a private tour with tour guide Delvin, because nobody else had booked the trip on the same day. Anyhow, he made it an awesome trip! It was entertaining, funny, challenging and I was rewarded not only with an awesome view on the entire island but also with good (local and international) music, sunshine and a tour guide who always looked out for me and my steps. I felt safe, secure and in best hands! Just be sure, you have a good conditional health, because this really can be exhausting for some parts of the hike. Also, everything was well communicated, on time and easy going! I would definitely recommend this trip or any other from RURAL tours.