This coastal city on São Vicente island has colorful colonial buildings, a natural deep-water port, and a rich musical culture centered around traditional morna music.
Mindelo, the second-largest city in Cape Verde, sits along the Porto Grande Bay on São Vicente island. Walk through streets lined with 19th-century buildings, listen to morna musicians perform at local bars, explore the distinctive pink Palácio do Povo, or swim in the clear waters of Laginha Beach. Each morning, you can watch fishing boats arrive at the market, continuing a tradition that has defined this port city for over 150 years.
Getting to Mindelo
Cesária Évora Airport lies 10 kilometers from the city center. Taxis charge 800-1000 CVE for the ride into town, or you can walk to the main road and catch an aluguer (shared taxi). Regular ferries connect Mindelo to Porto Novo on Santo Antão island, with multiple departures daily. The ferry terminal sits right next to the city center.
Walking Through the City Center
The main streets of Mindelo run along the waterfront and through the historic district. Avenida Marginal follows the curve of Porto Grande Bay, while Rua Libertadores de África cuts through the center. You can walk between most points of interest within 15 minutes. Local buses run limited routes, and taxis are available for longer distances.
Colonial Architecture and Landmarks
The pink-colored Palácio do Povo, dating from 1874, hosts regular art exhibitions and cultural events. Inside the Torre de Belém, built between 1918 and 1937, you'll find displays about São Vicente's maritime past. For views across the bay, climb to Fortim d'El Rei, an 1852 fort above the port. While you can walk around the fort's exterior walls, the interior remains closed to visitors.
Markets and Daily Life
Visit the fish market near Torre de Belém from 7 AM to see fishermen selling their morning catch. The two-story Municipal Market, built in 1878, houses fruit and vegetable vendors on the ground floor and clothing sellers upstairs. Along Rua Libertadores de África, you'll find local women selling fresh corn cakes and traditional snacks from small stands.
Beaches and Swimming
Laginha Beach extends for 750 meters north of the city center, a 10-minute walk from downtown. The beach combines white sand with clear water and includes public showers, changing rooms, and the Kalimba beach bar. São Pedro Beach, 9 kilometers away, becomes a windsurfing spot between November and April when strong winds sweep across the bay.
Music and Nightlife
Listen to live morna performances several nights per week at Casa Café Mindelo on Rua Governador Calheiros. During carnival week in February, the city transforms as competing groups parade in costumes while music plays from stages around Praça Nova. The five-day celebration peaks with the main parade on Tuesday.
Day Trips from Mindelo
Take the one-hour ferry ride to Santo Antão island - the first departure at 8 AM gives you time to explore before returning on the afternoon service. For hiking, follow the trail to Monte Verde, rising 750 meters above sea level east of the city. The two-hour climb rewards you with views across São Vicente on clear days.
