Mindelo
A port city on São Vicente Island, known for its pastel colonial buildings, music bars and carnival, and the hometown of barefoot diva Cesária Évora.
Mindelo is Cape Verde’s second-largest city. It sits beside a natural harbor enclosed by volcanic hills and rose in the 19th century as a coaling port for British steamships. The old town retains many colorful buildings from the Portuguese colonial era, and it is regarded as Cape Verde’s cultural capital. Its signature sound is morna. Cesária Évora, who famously performed barefoot, made the music known around the world, and the city has a statue of her and murals in her honor. Many restaurants and bars have live music in the evening. Sights include the small harbor tower modeled on Lisbon’s Belém Tower (Torre de Belém), the Palácio do Povo, the fish market and produce market, and Lajinha Beach. Climb nearby Monte Verde (about 750 m) for views over the city and the bay. The Carnival held every February is the biggest in the country, and the music festival held in August at Baía das Gatas beach is also lively. Mindelo is the gateway to Santo Antão Island, about an hour by ferry. The island is home to Cesária Évora International Airport, with flights linking to Sal and Lisbon.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Mercado Municipal do Mindelo
- Palácio do Povo
- Casa Cesária Évora
- Torre de Belém (Mindelo)
- Praça Nova (Praça Amílcar Cabral)
- Laginha Beach
- Salamansa
- Monte Cara