Santo Antão
Santo António Island” is the second largest island in Cape Verde and has around 50,000 inhabitants. It impresses with fantastic volcanic landscapes, high mountains and deep valleys. The northeast receives plenty of rain and surprises with lush subtropical vegetation, while the southwest remains mostly dry and is therefore barren and arid.
The most important city in Santo Antão is Porto Novo, but the capital is Ribeira Grande. It is located in the green valley of the same name and enchants visitors with its narrow streets, small stores and cozy inns. Porto Novo, on the other hand, is located in the dry south-east and offers several markets and some splendid old manor houses.
The population of Santo Antão lives mainly from agriculture, growing sugar cane and bananas, for example. But fishing also plays an important role in the island’s life.
The island is ideal for nature lovers who can hardly get enough of the changing landscape. There are hardly any classic bathing beaches, but the island has so many on offer that no one wants to limit themselves to lying on the sand. Hiking enthusiasts are more likely to go to Santo Antão, which is considered the most popular region for hiking in Cape Verde.
The green north, in particular, is developing as a tourist destination and road connections are constantly being improved. Santo Antão is therefore an ideal destination in the Republic of Cape Verde, especially for lovers of nature and hiking.
