Sao Nicolau Island

WHERE TO STAY

Can you recommend somewhere to stay on Sao Nicolau?

When we go we stay in Tarrafal which is the capital of Sao Nicolau. It is close to the ocean and has a little town and lots of beaches. The beaches are all black sand so when you go in the summer it is super hot.

The best place to stay in Tarrafal is a place called Edifico Magico, it is really nice, awesome location right in the centre of Tarrafal and by the beach. The accommodation is apartments and they are very traditional in décor, but nice, with kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom. The girls come and clean the room every day, like a hotel and the staff are very friendly. The normal price on Booking.com is 30Euros a night for the apartment. You can also organise for them to provide an airport transfer, but I like to get on the local transport from the airport as its like getting a mini island tour as you pass through all the little villages on your way to Tarrafal.

 

---

MAP OF SAO NICOLAU

---

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Can your recommend things to do or see on Sao Nicolau?

There is one white sand beach which is absolutely beautiful, but to get to it you need to take a car from Tarrafal. It costs around 20Euros to get there but it is well worth it. On bank holidays it is where all the locals go and it is packed full of people but on a normal day it is completely empty. Don't get confused because there is a place in Sao Nicolau called Praia Blanca (white beach) but this is not a beach it is just a little town, (we made that mistake - it was a long walk hahahaha)

If you like walking up mountains Sao Nicolau is an island for you. It is the home to Monte Gordo the highest point of Cape Verde.. When in Tarrafal there is a petrol station which all the local buses and cars stop at. You can take a car here for 2 euros to take you up the mountain road Ribeira dos Calhaus, which has amazing panoramic views but also some scary shear drops. If you get the car to a village inside the mountain range called Cachaco you can walk from here up Monte Gordo. They now have a small building there offering information and refreshments. If you want to walk the whole mountain you can do this with a guide.

If you go on an Island Tour you will be taken to some of the high points and see many of the natural swimming pools on the island.

---

WHERE TO EAT OR DRINK

Can you recommend places to eat or drink on Sao Nicolau?

There are lots of little bars and restaurants in Tarrafal, they are all good value and friendly but there is not much selection. Basically whatever fish has been caught that day will be the only fish in every restaurant, but it is simple and nice. Unlike Sal or Boa Vista, Sao Nicolau has a lot of agriculture so you get a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables. There is a market by the port in Tarrafal which sells all the local produce, definitely worth a walk around.

---

History of Sao Nicolau Island

Discovered in 1461 but populated in the early 15th Century Sao Nicola’s mountainous regions proved challenging for those who settled there to farm and breed livestock.

The inhabitants of the island were under threat of attack until a fortress was built inland in 1818. Prior to this, pirates from Holland, England and France took advantage of the lack of protection the island and islanders could provide against plunder.

In the 1860’s a new school was opened which was run by Canons and Priests. The school was attached to a seminary. Those that attended the school came from other Cape Verdean islands and were well educated in a number of subjects. The seminary closed in 1931.

Monte Gordo is the highest point on the island. The cultivated valley of sugar cane beans, maize and bananas that is hidden away makes a change to the rest of the landscape which is made up of stone, desert and reforestation.

Sao Nicolau and Soa Vicente were the two main islands that lead the way with the uprisings of the 20th century.

---

Quick links

None

---

External links

TRIP ADVISOR - ACCOMMODATION

TRIP ADVISOR - ACTIVITIES

TRIP ADVISOR - RESTAURANTS

---

COMMENT 1: