Overview

Known as the cultural capital of Cape Verde, Mindelo is located on the volcanic island of São Vicente. The city hugs the crescent-shaped Porto Grande Harbor set against a beautiful backdrop of rugged mountains. It boasts an incredible history and during many decades, it has been one of the most important harbors in the world. It was once home to the barefoot diva, the late Cesária Évora, the islands’ best-known singer. It’s also known for its lively Brazilian-influenced carnival held here each February. It’s here in the city’s cool bistros and bars, locals congregate to listen to morna, the islands’ traditional music, while sipping grogue, the local rum-like drink.

Things to See and Do

Discover the city with a guided tour by a local! Taking a tour of Mindelo will give you a unique glimpse into the Cape Verdean culture. It’s also a great way to discover the best hidden gems of the city. You will see plenty of the town’s former wealth in the architecture of the buildings. Many of the prettiest buildings in Mindelo have been inspired by Portugues architecture and can be qualified as colonial style. Take in the beauty of these colorful buildings, often pastel-colored house fronts. They make a great photo opportunity. Some must see buildings include: The Tower of Belem, Mindelo Cultural Center, People’s Palace, and the Townhall.

Hear live music in Mindelo. The city of Mindelo is known for its thriving cultural and music scene. Birthplace of famed Cabo Verdean singer Cesária Évora, it’s the place to hear typical music styles from the country including the melancholic Sodade or the upbeat danceable music of Coladeira.

Follow the Footsteps of Cesaria Evora. Due to its most important citizen, Cesaria Evora, Mindelo reached worldwide fame for being the cradle of morna, the traditional Capeverdean music genre. Many singers from Sao Vicente popularized morna all over the world. But none of them reached the status of the legendary “Barefoot Diva”, the queen of morna. Many singers following in her footsteps are from Mindelo, making it a hub for Capeverdean culture.

Next to the major pink building at Avenida Lisboa, you’ll find the Cesaria Evora Museum . It’s located in her house and you’ll most likely meet some of her relatives. Almost every weekend, you can attend a concert by a major Capeverdean singer coming back to his/her home place to sing for their people.

Go Shopping at the Markets in Mindelo. Despite being a quite smelly affair, alone the fish market is worth a visit. This is a true authentic immersion into Capverdean life. In all, there are 3 markets in Mindelo:

- The Old Market Building
- The Fish Market
- The Open Market on Praça Estrela

Some items to enjoy include homemade banana and papaya james, or some coco ponche (Cape Verdean alcoholic beverage, an aguardente made from sugarcane).

Enjoy a Hike of Monte Verde and Monte Cara. If you are looking for a break outside the city, we recommend a hike of Monte Verde or Monte Cara. These are great hikes that can be done in a half a day and provide the best views on the island. Guided hiking tours are also available.

Cuisine

When traveling to Mindelo, enjoying the local food is a must! The traditional Cape Verdean food is a great mix of influences from Europe (particularly Portugal), the African continent, and Brazil. However, more and more you can spot international cuisine in Mindelo, too.

The most popular food from Cape Verde is without any doubt cachupa, a slow-cooked stew of corn, beans, cassava, sweet potato, fish or meat. If you like fish and seafood more than meat, then buzio is the dish to try. This slow-cooked food is typically made with mussels (although other shellfish can also be used), and soy sauce.

Morreia (fried moray eel) is one of those dishes that stand as proof of the strong Portuguese influences the Cape Verdean culture had over the decades. As a staple of Portuguese cuisine, the fried eel is ideal for lunch or dinner and also a delicious snack to enjoy with cocktails.

The Cape Verdean bol of cus-cus is an entirely different dish. It’s usually served for breakfast and ideal for anyone with a sweet tooth. Made with cornmeal, sugar, and cinnamon, this is the type of food you either love or hate. However, it’s worth a try if you want to immerse yourself completely in the Cape Verde culture.

In Cape Verde, seafood lovers are spoiled with options. From lobster to shellfish, there are quite a few options to choose from. One of them is percebes, a small crustacean that lives in colonies on the seabed rocks. Despite their rather unique look, percebes are absolutely delicious. According to the Portuguese tradition, they are often served with buttered toast and pair wonderfully with a glass of draft beer or a grogue, the national Cape Verdean spirit.

If you plan to indulge in a local cocktail, you will definitely want to try the grogue a strong alcoholic drink locally produced from sugar cane. Forgo wine can be hit-or-miss depending on the age of the grape. Or, try the caipirihna the Brazil-inspired cocktail made with sugar cane and local liquor.

Shopping

Mindelo has a variety of artisan shops where you can purchase locally-made artisan goods. And what’s great about the shopping is your purchase benefits the local community directly.

You’ll find a range of options, from local markets selling fresh produce, crafts, and souvenirs to stores and boutiques offering clothing, artwork, and other goods. The city’s Mercado Municipal is a bustling market where you can explore various stalls selling fruits, vegetables, spices, and handmade items. Additionally, ther are shops along the streets selling a mix of local crafts, arts, and clothing providing travelers with a glimps into the the culture and creativity of Cape Verde.

Mindelo’s Carnival

The Carnival of Mindelo is supposed to be the best of the Cape Verdean archipelago! It’s one of the top things to do when visiting Mindelo when the air is filled with music, dance, parades, and elaborate costumes.

Carnival in Mindelo starts right after New Years' when the Mandinga groups take over the streets on Sunday. The official groups prepare their parade, and music and drums can be heard in the streets of Mindelo almost every night.

People dance in the streets to the beats of the drums and other musical instruments. These street parties go on throughout the Carnival week. There’s a festive atmosphere with food stalls, live music performances, and people celebrating together. There are often competitions for the best costumes, dance routines, and music performances, adding an element of friendly rivalry among participating groups.