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Santiago Island: Guided Tour through Best of Praia and Cidade Velha, UNESCO World Heritage Site
4.9
15 Ratings
Praia
Explore Praia on a guided tour of the Municipal Market and the city major historical sites. Visit Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and learn about the history of slavery in the first city built by Europeans in sub-Saharan Africa.
Explore Praia on a guided tour of the Municipal Market and the city major historical sites. Visit Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and learn about the history of slavery in the first city built by Europeans in sub-Saharan Africa.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Praia - Start with pick up from your accommodation.
- Praia City Hall - Depart towards the historical center of Plateau and start the walking tour through the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, Presidential Palace, Alexandre Albuquerque Square, until the Municipal Market (closed on Sundays).
- Mercado de Sucupira - Here meet locals and find a…
- Praia - Start with pick up from your accommodation.
- Praia City Hall - Depart towards the historical center of Plateau and start the walking tour through the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, Presidential Palace, Alexandre Albuquerque Square, until the Municipal Market (closed on Sundays).
- Mercado de Sucupira - Here meet locals and find a diversity of local fruits and vegetables. Afterwards, explore Cape Verde’s largest souvenir market, the Sucupira Market, and experience the daily life of the Cape Verdean family.
-
Cidade Velha - Move on to Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first city built by Europeans in sub-Saharan Africa.
Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour of the São Filipe Fortress, explore the ruins of the first Cathedral built by Europeans in Sub-Saharan Africa, the former slave market and the famous Banana Street with its thatched houses. -
Fortaleza Real de San Felipe - Visit the Fortress Real the São Filipe that was built in 1587, to defend the city by the pirates attacks.
Please note that the 5 per person for Fortress entrance is not included. - Se Catedral - Discover the ruins of the first sub-Saharan African Cathedral the only one cathedral of the country,
- Pelourinho - Visit the former slave market in Pilourinho, was a symbol of municipal power, on the pass.
- Rue Banana - Visit the famous Banana Street with its traditional houses, and meet local fishermen.
- Praia - After a memorable day, your tour ends with a drop-off at your accommodation.
What's Included
- Comprehensive liability insurance for peace of mind
- Knowledgeable tour guide for an enriching experience
- Convenient transportation throughout the tour
- Comfortable pickup and drop-off at your Praia accommodation
- Comprehensive liability insurance for peace of mind
- Knowledgeable tour guide for an enriching experience
- Convenient transportation throughout the tour
- Comfortable pickup and drop-off at your Praia accommodation
What's Not Included
- Entrance fee (€5 for São Filipe Fortress)
- Entrance fee (€5 for São Filipe Fortress)
Additional Information
- A small amount of walking is involved
- Please bring comfortable clothes, a hat and sunscreen
- Note that the Municipal Market is closed on Sundays and the Fortress closed on holidays
- No serious Medical conditions
- A small amount of walking is involved
- Please bring comfortable clothes, a hat and sunscreen
- Note that the Municipal Market is closed on Sundays and the Fortress closed on holidays
- No serious Medical conditions
Location
Praia
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(15 Ratings)
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N908dxpatricias
Mar 22, 2025
Authentic Santiago Tour - Superb excursion!! Cathia with another guide showed us Praia.
They allowed us to learn more about the history of Cape Verde.
We visited some beautiful places.
If you want to learn the history of Cape Verde I recommend this authentic and very well organized excursion
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joyce_u
Feb 19, 2025
Hidden gem of the Atlantic. - Elton is very knowledgeable with a great sense of humor. He gave us lots of time to take photos and even allowed us to purchase souvenirs at the market with no complains. Even gave us a quick break and had bbq chicken at the park. Also, got a chance to interact with the kids at the plaza.
Advise for future Viator bookers: Bring water and do not leave it in the car, you’ll definitely need it. Don’t make the same mistake like us haha!
Much respect to Ahérton as well for providing the transportation. He was an angel at the right place at the right time. He helped us out when we landed at the airport to get to our hotel because our driver didn’t show up and we do not know how to communicate Portuguese. Coincidentally, he was our driver on our tour guide.
People in Praia Cape Verde are very welcoming, accommodating and friendly. Permitted to have more time to spend on the island, we would’ve. Thank you again for these hardworking folks!
Review provided by Viator
Arvind_j
Nov 22, 2024
Very nice guide - Though I was picked up a bit later than my scheduled time but my Guide Ivana was wonderful and made up for it. She was knowledgable, friendly and accomodating. It was a tour to see some major attractions of Praia. I recommend going on this tour. Thank you Ivana for a good tour.
Review provided by Viator
Marjoriedreyer
Nov 10, 2024
A great team! - We spent 12 days in Cape Verde, specifically on Santiago and Maio, and it was one of our best trips thanks to the Bu country team 😊🙏🏻 their guides are great, always smiling, patient and dedicated and people at the office do not count their working hours to satisfy your desires and needs, as well as to alleviate last minute situations 😌😌 big thanks to the whole team, Djibril, Afi, Damaris, Elizandro, Admilson, Luisa,... as well as all the people we met through this trip and with whom we shared magical moments ❤️❤️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ionel_b
Oct 22, 2024
Perfect - Everything was perfect, two experienced guides, Very well prepared in the history of Cabo Verde, very pleased with everything
Review provided by Viator
Deebsahara
Oct 18, 2024
Friendly & professional cultural & historical tour - Very nice friendly & instructive tour, getting counted story of discovery of cabo verde in the 14s century, by visiting the forteress of cidade de Velha, and green valley surrounding it, amazing rua Banana.
Then visit of the old city, president palace, old portugeuse houses ... finaly the market
Cultural & Historical tour nicely accompagnied guided by Ivana & driver Neilton who were realy friendly & professionnal at the same time
I recommend this tour a must do in praia for knowing the history of the country
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Thomas_m
Jul 22, 2024
Best way to see Cape Verde!! - Experienced beautiful past of Cape Verde!
Saw churches,convents Rua Banana…
Thanks to Elisandro for the effort to make this tour memorable!
I learned a lot from him regarding Cape Verde in general!
OBRIGADO!
Review provided by Viator
Yaphet_t
Apr 9, 2024
Alex was awesome - Alex was amazing !
So knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. Our driver was also great.
Learned a lot, and had a lot of fun. We were able to see everything in our own pace.
Review provided by Viator
Alyson_k
Oct 19, 2024
Excellent tour, but a bit lacking in some regards - I really enjoyed this tour and learning about the history and culture of Praia and Cidade Velha. Our guide was prompt, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. My only critique would be to include more about African history, contributions, and culture during the tour. It was heavily focused on Europe.
Review provided by Viator
Hiroyuki_m
May 6, 2024
Good way to visit Cidade - It was a good way to visit Cidade and to know about their history. The guide and the driver was very helpful to support my stay.
Review provided by Viator
