Cape Verde's second city is also the undisputed centre of culture, entertainment and nightlife, including Brazilian-influenced Carnival celebrations. Mindelo's Porto Grande harbour is a visual feast with its colourful colonial houses gracing the shoreline against the dramatic backdrop of rugged mountains. Alongside the harbour, you’ll also find the Torre de Belém, a scaled-down replica of the historic tower in Lisbon. This vibrant setting not only captivates the eyes but also offers a lively atmosphere, as Mindelo boasts excellent establishments for dining, drinking, and enjoying live music.

High mountains and deep valleys frame Valldemossa, the village where the island's first two 'celebrity tourists', composer Frederic Chopin and author George Sand, lived in 1838. Once here, make sure to visit the village's main attraction: The Carthusian Monastery of Valldemossa. Originally built as a royal palace in 1309 and later converted into a monastery of the Carthusian order, the Carthusian Monastery of Valldemossa is an impressive complex that houses a palace, a church, an old pharmacy, an art collection of some of the greatest modern Spanish and local artists, and the cells where the monks lived for 400 years to find peace and rest. Each cell has its own exit to the garden terrace with blossoming magnolias and a wonderful view over the valley.

Maio may be one of the most unfairly overlooked of the Cape Verde islands. It is true that tourist infrastructure is somewhat lacking, but that's part of its charm. Untouched beaches and sand dunes cover much of the island, though it is also home to a large forest, uncharacteristic in these parts. You may be able to catch a glimpse of a loggerhead turtle, as it has the second-largest nesting population in the archipelago.

Except for the greenhouses and lush greenery in the summer months, this Botanical Garden also houses a mini-zoo (which will surely delight the little ones), as well as many picnic-perfect areas.