The 15 Best Things to Do on Santiago

Praia: Santiago Island Tour with Tastings and Tarrafal Beach - The first taste: cuscuz and fidjós with a local family

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 416 reviews · 7 - 8 hours · from $76Our pick

Explore Santiago from Praia with local food, Assomada Market, mountain views, Tarrafal Beach, and coastal photo stops for $76.

“I recently had the pleasure of going on an excursion with Bu Country Tours! Everything about the experience was amazing, from the breathtaking sights to the well-planned itinerary. Our guide, Ricardo, was the standout star of the trip. His extensive knowledge, enthusiasm, and engaging storytelling made the tour not only informative but also incredibly enjoyable. He went above and beyond to ensure that everyone felt included and had a great time. If you're looking for a memorable adventure, I wholeheartedly recommend booking an excursion with Bu Country Tours and experiencing it with Ricardo as your guide! BR, P.”

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1-Day Tours, Santiago Tours, Street Art, Tour Reviews

Santiago: Landscapes, Street Art, and Markets Day Trip

2.Landscapes, Street Art, and Markets Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 316 reviews · 8 hours · from $70

See Santiago Island in one day with Assomada Market, Serra Malagueta, Tarrafal Beach, coastal villages, plantations, and local food.

“This tour was hands down the best way to see all of Praia. We explored everything—from historic sites to hidden gems—and got a real feel for the island. What made it truly special was our guide. He didn’t just recite facts; he told the real story of the island, the good and the bad, with so much passion and honesty. It felt less like a tour and more like a deep dive into the island’s soul. If you want more than just pretty views and actually understand the place, this is the tour to take. Highly recommend—especially if you get this guide!”

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Boat Tours in Santiago, Cidade Velha & Praia Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Santiago Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Port of Praia: Island Tour for Cruise Ship passengers

3.From Port of Praia: Island Tour for Cruise Ship passengers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 190 reviews · 7 hours · from $82

Explore Santiago from Praia with mountain views, Tarrafal Beach, local music, village stops, and easy cruise-port transfers.

“gut , länger als geplant ,hätte es für uns nicht gebraucht”

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Cidade Velha & Praia Tours, Santiago Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Santiago Island Tour: Meet with a Local Family & Tarrafal Beach

4.Santiago Island Tour: Meet with a Local Family & Tarrafal Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 127 reviews · from $104Top rated

Review of Santiago Island’s 8-hour tour from Praia, with Mama Luisa’s cooking workshop, Assomada Market, Serra Malagueta, and Tarrafal Beach.

“Our guide gave us a comprehensive tour of the island, with a visit to a small nursery and farm, views of the dramatic landscapes, and market experiences in the mountaintop town. After that we had a beach visit and tasty lunch with time tRead more”

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Boat Tours in Santiago, Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Santiago Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Island tour with German-speaking guide for cruise guests

5.Island tour with German-speaking guide for cruise guests

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 91 reviews · 5 hours · from $88

Review of Santiago Island’s 5-hour German-language cruise tour, with Batuque music, mountain views, village stops, port pickup, and practical tips.

“Hervorragende Insel-Tourguide Louisa (deutsch) - informativ, lustig, offener Umgang”

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Cidade Velha & Praia Tours, City Tours, City Tours in Santiago, Guided, Santiago Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Praia & Cidade Velha: Guided City Tour

6.Praia & Cidade Velha: Guided City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 80 reviews · 4 hours · from $53Best value

Explore Praia markets and Cidade Velha landmarks on a four-hour Cape Verde tour with hotel pickup, local guides, and historic ocean views.

“Amerigo nous a fait partager sa connaissance de l'histoire de son pays avec beaucoup de professionnalisme dans un français plus que correct. si vous en avez la possibilité demandez à faire le circuit "à l'envers"( comme nous avons dû le faire du fait des embouteillages du lundi matin): vous commencerez alors par Santiago "historique" et terminerez par Praia "contemporaine". J'airais même préféré commencer par la citadelle de Cidade Velha avant la ville de Cidade Velha. Attention, l'entrée à la citadelle coute 500escudos (5€) par personne.”

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Cidade Velha & Praia Tours, Santiago Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Workshops

From Praia: Banana Plantation Tour and Cuscuz Workshop

7.Banana Plantation Tour and Cuscuz Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 75 reviews · 4 hours · from $88

Explore Santiago’s largest plantation, cook cuscuz with a local family, and enjoy Monte Txota scenery on this four-hour tour from Praia.

“Carlos war als Guide wirklich super: Egal ob Klopause / Getränk / Restaurantempfehlungen < alles wurde abgedeckt! Wir hatten das Glück die Tour zu zweit zu machen, sozusagen als "private Tour" & uns wurde viel über Land und Leute erklärt. Wir konnten Zuckerrohr probieren, Grogue und haben gehalten um Früchte zu kaufen (Soursup konnten wir vorher nicht mal). Mama Luisa hat uns in ihre Kochkünste eingeweiht, absolute Empfehlung diese Tour zu buchen!”

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Cidade Velha & Praia Tours, Guided, Santiago Tours, Tour Reviews

Santiago Island: Highlights of Cidade Velha with Local Guide

8.Highlights of Cidade Velha with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 67 reviews · 3 hours · from $57

Explore Cidade Velha on a 3-hour guided tour from Praia, with fortress views, slavery history, local culture, and flexible booking.

“Wonderful survey of the diversity of Santiago. Must see.”

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Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Santiago, Lunch Experiences, Santiago Tours, Tour Reviews

Serra Malagueta: Principal Valley Hike & Lunch with Locals

9.Serra Malagueta: Principal Valley Hike & Lunch with Locals

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 64 reviews · 7 hours · from $111

Review of Serra Malagueta’s Principal Valley hike, local family lunch, mountain views, trail difficulty, transport, guides, and value.

“La guía Katia no explicó casi nada durante la excursión sobre el país, sus costumbres, sus fiestas locales, sus pueblos...la verdad, muy decepcionante. Se pasó toda la excursión hablando con el conductor, una mala experiencia sinceramente. La excursión muy cara para tener este pésimo servicio. Me gustó mucho la ruta de senderismo y la comida en la casa. No recomiendo esta excursión con vosotros, es mejor alquilarse un coche o buscar otra opción más profesional.”

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Cidade Velha & Praia Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Santiago, Santiago Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Santiago Island: Serra Malagueta & Tarrafal Beach Trek Tour

10.Serra Malagueta & Tarrafal Beach Trek Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 61 reviews · 8 hours · from $106

Trek Serra Malagueta Natural Park, learn about Cape Verdean wildlife, and relax at Tarrafal Beach on an 8-hour Santiago Island tour.

“I ended up being the only one attending the hike. So it was me, the guide and 2 trainees. The guide was very knowledgeable and all of the guys were very nice to spend time with. I booked the hike during the rainy season, so no views for me, but it was still a nicely spent day.”

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Praia: Baobab Mysterious Tree, Green Valley & Old City Hike

11.Baobab Mysterious Tree, Green Valley & Old City Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 53 reviews · 4 hours · from $53

Review of Praia’s 4-hour hike through Santiago’s green valley to the 400-year-old baobab and historic Cidade Velha.

“Great tour with our great guide Antonio! We learned so much about the islands of Cabo Verde! The hike is not too hard, but beautiful! I would totally recommend this tour.”

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Cidade Velha & Praia Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Santiago, Santiago Tours, Tour Reviews

Santiago: Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha

12.Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 49 reviews · 4 hours · from $82

Trek Santiago’s lush Calabaceira Valley, visit a rum distillery, and explore UNESCO-listed Cidade Velha from Praia in four hours.

“Great knowledge and beautiful sights! The guide is supernice, we saw king fishers, many monkeys and amazing trees in the valley.”

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BBQ, Boat Tours in Santiago, Cidade Velha & Praia Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Santiago Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

From Praia: Boat Trip, Snorkeling, Cave & BBQ on the Beach

13.Boat Trip, Snorkeling, Cave & BBQ on the Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 45 reviews · 7 hours · from $129

Review of Santiago Island’s boat, cave snorkeling, and beach BBQ tour from Praia, including costs, stops, food, guides, and practical tips.

“Our driver and guide were great. Activity said snorkeling but there were 6 people and 3 snorkels. The swimming and snorkeling were over the side of the boat in the cave we only stayed for about 15 mins. The current was a bit rough and it was only large rocks to see. BBQ was tasty but beach is very rocky (recommend water shoes) and dirty with no good place to sit. Does seem typical. Overall trip was great but felt expensive.”

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Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Santiago, Santiago Tours, Tour Reviews

Santiago: Monte Tchota Natural Park to Pico d’Antónia Hike

14.Monte Tchota Natural Park to Pico d’Antónia Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 43 reviews · 6 hours · from $100

Hike Santiago’s Monte Txota and Pico d’Antónia for cool mountain air, island views, a picnic, and a serious 9 km trek.

“Great tour and guide went mostly in our pace and was well informed and helpful”

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Cidade Velha & Praia Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Hiking Tours in Santiago, Lunch Experiences, Santiago Tours, Tour Reviews

From Tarrafal: Serra to Principal Hike & Lunch with locals

15.Serra to Principal Hike & Lunch with locals

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 41 reviews · 5 hours · from $70

Hike from Serra Malagueta to Principal, enjoy mountain views, a local lunch, and Cape Verdean culture on this small-group trip from Tarrafal.

“Merci à notre guide plein de joie et d’humour avec le repas chez Mama qui nous a chaleureusement accueilli. On en a pris pleins les yeux, c’est magnifique ❤️”

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