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Santiago Tour!

Welcome to Santiago Island!

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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.

Featured Tours

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Praia City TourMOST POPULAR
MOST POPULAR

PRAIA CITY TOUR /CIDADE VELHA CITY

In the morning, there's a guided tour of Praia city, Cabo Verde's capital, focusing on its cultural and historical landmarks in the Plateau city center. In the afternoon, a tour of Cidade Velha, 10 kilometers from Praia and a UNESCO World Heritage site, allows exploration of Cabo Verde’s rich history.

  • Image Available ALL YEAR
  • Image Duration 4h
  • Image From 90€
CONTACT
Group hiking above a green valley on Santiago Island
FROM SKAGEN

SANTIAGO ISLAND TOUR

Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis turient montes nascetur ridiculus mus. Cras eleifend tellus sed congue ectetur velit turpis faucibus odio eget penatibus et magnis dis turient montes nascetur ridiculus volutpat odio lectus eu erat.

  • Image Available ALL YEAR
  • Image Duration 3-10 DAYS
  • Image From 90€
CONTACT
Hiking in the Calabaceira Valley
FROM SKAGEN

HIKING IN THE CALABACEIRA VALLEY+ CIDADE VELHA

Guided tour in the morning in Praia city- Praia city is the capital city of Cabo Verde, it´s the largest and the most populated city of Cabo Verde with almost half of Cape Verdean population. Plateau is the city center with plenty of cultural and historical places to visit (the museum, markets, church etc.). In the afternoon guided tour to Cidade Velha: it´s 10 kilometers from Praia city, the former capital city of Cabo Verde, very important place in the history of Cabo Verde where you can explore Cabo Verde’s history. It was considered World Heritage of Humanity in 2009 by UNESCO.

  • Image Available ALL YEAR
  • Image Duration 3-10 DAYS
  • Image From 90€
CONTACT
Mountain trail through Serra Malagueta Natural Park
LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL

HIKING AT THE SERRA MALAGUETA NATURAL PARK AND BOA ENTRADA VALLEY

Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis turient montes nascetur ridiculus mus. Cras eleifend tellus sed congue ectetur velit turpis faucibus odio eget penatibus et magnis dis turient montes nascetur ridiculus volutpat odio lectus eu erat.

  • Image Available ALL YEAR
  • Image Duration 3-10 DAYS
  • Image From 90€
CONTACT
Hiking to Pico da Antonia
FROM DENMARK

HIKING TO PICO DA ANTONIA

Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis turient montes nascetur ridiculus mus. Cras eleifend tellus sed congue ectetur velit turpis faucibus odio eget penatibus et magnis dis turient montes nascetur ridiculus volutpat odio lectus eu erat.

  • Image Available ALL YEAR
  • Image Duration 3-10 DAYS
  • Image From 90€
CONTACT
Boat trip to Aguas Belas CaveMOST POPULAR
FROM SKAGEN

BOAT TRIP TO AGUAS BELAS CAVE+ BARBECUE ON THE BEACH.

Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis turient montes nascetur ridiculus mus. Cras eleifend tellus sed congue ectetur velit turpis faucibus odio eget penatibus et magnis dis turient montes nascetur ridiculus volutpat odio lectus eu erat.

  • Image Available ALL YEAR
  • Image Duration 3-10 DAYS
  • Image From 90€
CONTACT
Entrance to Serra Malagueta Natural ParkMOST POPULAR

HIKING FROM SERRA MALAGUETA TO PRINCIPAL VALLEY

Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis turient montes nascetur ridiculus mus. Cras eleifend tellus sed congue ectetur velit turpis faucibus odio eget penatibus et magnis dis turient montes nascetur ridiculus volutpat odio lectus eu erat.

  • Image Available ALL YEAR
  • Image Duration 3-10 DAYS
  • Image From 90€
CONTACT
Hiking from Serra Malagueta to Gongon ValleyMOST POPULAR

HIKING FROM SERRA MALAGUETA NATURAL PARK TO GONGON VALLEY

Pick up in the morning at your accommodation drive on to the north of the island for hiking. This hike starts from Serra Malagueta, first you have to hike the all park and then going down to Gongon Valley.

  • Image Available ALL YEAR
  • Image Duration 4 - 5h
  • Image From 90€
CONTACT
Traditional food cooking classMOST POPULAR

TRADITIONAL FOOD COOKING CLASS

Visiting Santiago Island can be even more fascinating if you learn how to prepare and cook Capeverdean traditional dishes such as "Katxupa" "Xarem" etc. This is one of the best and unforgettable experience you can have.

  • Image Available ALL YEAR
  • Image Duration 4 - 5h
  • Image From $90
CONTACT
Airport and hotel transfer serviceMOST POPULAR

TRANSFER 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 wifi during your trip.

  • Image Available ALL YEAR
  • Image From 90€
CONTACT

Famous Themes & Attractions

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Colorful street market in Praia
Local Markets
Sunset over the Atlantic from Santiago
Ocean Sunsets
Mountain valley and village on Santiago
Mountain Views
Rocky south coast of Santiago
South Coast Sights
Fishing boat on a black sand beach
Boat Enjoy
Palm groves and farmland at sunrise
Green Rich Trail
Waves crashing on a rock at the beach
Atlantic Waves
Hilltop church below a mountain peak
Green Mountains
Natural pool among volcanic rocks
Natural Pools

Customer Reviews

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Santiago Island Tour

Our tour was nothing short of exceptional. From the very beginning, Rural Tours stood out with their excellent communication, always helpful, responsive, and attentive to our preferences. The itinerary was thoughtfully personalised around our interests, which made the entire experience feel truly special. On the day itself, everything ran seamlessly thanks to our wonderful guide Helder and driver Clayton. They went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable and fully immersed throughout. We learned so much about the island’s history, culture, and gastronomy, all while visiting some of the most breathtaking spots Santiago has to offer. It was a brilliant, enriching, and beautifully curated experience from start to finish. I cannot recommend Rural Tours highly enough, truly stellar service! Thank you Helder and Clayton!

NÓRA K. · 2026 · GOOGLE REVIEW

Santiago Island Tour

My wife and I spent a day with Edi from Rural Tours Cabo Verde. It was so much fun and the day was full of excitement. We were for the first time in Satiago and it was the best to have Edi on our side. He knew every spot of the entire island and made our day unforgettable. Anybody planning a visit here we can strongly recommend to contact Edi! Our tour was to the national park Serra Malagueta and to the town and the beaches of Tarrafal and a jump into the colorful water of Piscina Natural de Cuba. Awesome!

SHANGHIAS · 2025 · GOOGLE REVIEW

Santiago Island Tour

I did the full day santiago tour, great way to see the island and understand what you’d like to do with the rest of your time here, while traveling with great company. Edmilson was fun, chill, and very flexible!

VERA A. · 2022 · GOOGLE REVIEW

Genuine Google reviews from travellers who toured with Rural Tours Cabo Verde. Read all our reviews on Google.

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