Africa >> West Africa >> Cape Verde >> Santiago >> Cidade Velha

Cidada Velha is a city on the island of Santiago. The oldest European city in the tropics. This is an easy half-day trip from Praia although there probably won't be enough of interest to keep you there longer.

Travel to Cidade Velha - Visa Requirements

From Praia, aluguers leave from the Sucupira Market west of Plateau. Cost is 200$. Ask to be dropped at (the side road to) Forteleza Real de São Filipe. A taxi from Praia shouldn't be more than 1000$.

Aluguers returning to Praia leave every few minutes from the main square where the pelourinho is.

Cidade Velha tourist attractions and sightseeing

  • Forteleza Real de São Filipe. 500$. (14.916314,-23.601792) 
  • Pelourinho. (14.914709,-23.605240) 

Cidade Velha city tours

Walking tour

Start at the Fort above the town. Tickets cost 500$ and include a map and pamphlet guide for the town.

From the fort, follow the path downhill past the ruined cathedral to arrive at the seashore. You can duck down to the beach before continuing on to the main square. The monument here is the Pelourinho ou picota and was a place of execution. Further along the Rua Banana leads up hill. This is Africa's oldest European-built street and leads to the chapel Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rośario.

Eat and Drink

There are some bars and restaurants around the main square.

Cidade Velha cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Accommodation is available - ask at the tourist office.

Contact

This page was last edited by Jason Haines. Based on work by Wikitravel user(s) Texugo. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license

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