Experiences on the island of Santiago
Highlights
- Old Town (UNESCO)
- Local Market from Praia
- Historical and cultural narratives
- Experience local daily life
Important Information
- Comfortable footwear is recommended.
- Hat, sunscreen, and water are advised.
- Tour takes place in urban and historical settings.
- Respect for heritage sites and communities visited.
- Suitable for all ages.
- Duration: Half day.
Price
Starting from: 75€ per person (includes guide, entrance ticket and lunch)
💡 The value decreases as the number of participants increases.
➕ Transportation from Praia: 55€
Experience #1
Praia City Tour & Cidade Velha
Living history and cradle of the Cape Verdean nation
This tour takes visitors through two of Santiago's most emblematic places: the city of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, and the historic Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The experience combines history, culture, and daily life, allowing participants to understand the colonial past, the formation of Cape Verdean society, and its contemporary reality.
Throughout the tour, participants visit historic neighborhoods, local markets, and symbolic landmarks, always accompanied by local guides who share authentic and contextualized narratives. The tour promotes respectful interaction with the communities and values the island's tangible and intangible heritage.
Experience #2
Assomada City Tour
The cultural and rural heart of Santiago
The Assomada City Tour offers an immersion into the daily life of one of Santiago's most authentic cities. Known for its traditional market, Assomada reflects the strong connection between the island's urban and rural life.
During the tour, visitors explore the local market, cultural spaces, historic neighborhoods, and community meeting points. The experience allows them to visit one of Cape Verde's most emblematic trees, the famous Poilão tree, and understand agricultural practices, eating habits, and social dynamics, always with a human and sustainable approach, valuing small producers and local commerce.
Highlights
- Traditional market of Assomada
- Urban and rural life in the interior of Santiago
- Visit to the Poilão Tree of Boa Entrada
- Local cultural and historical narratives
- Interaction with communities
- Accompaniment by an experienced local guide
Important Information
- The traditional market is most active on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the morning.
- Comfortable and discreet clothing is recommended.
- The tour includes interaction with local vendors and producers.
- Photography should be done respectfully and with permission.
- Suitable for all audiences.
- The activity takes place in Assomada.
- Duration: Half day.
Price
Starting from: 75€ per person (includes guide, visits and lunch)
💡 The value decreases as the number of participants increases.
➕ Transportation from Praia: 75€
Highlights
- Varied natural landscapes
- Local villages and communities
- Cultural interpretation of the landscape
- Immersive full-day experience
Important Information
- Full-day tour (approximately 7 to 8 hours)
- Recommended for people with good general physical fitness
- Scheduled breaks for rest and meals
- Weather may vary between coastal and mountainous areas
- Activity conducted in small groups
- Duration: Full day
Price
Starting from: 180€ per person (includes guide, transportation, tour and lunch)
💡 The value decreases as the number of participants increases.
➕ Transportation included or adjusted according to departure point.
Experience #3
Tour of Santiago Island (Full Day)
One island, multiple landscapes and stories.
The Tour of Santiago Island is a full-day experience that reveals the island's natural, cultural, and human diversity. The route crosses coastal areas, agricultural valleys, mountains, and traditional villages, offering a comprehensive view of the territory.
More than just a tourist circuit, this tour promotes encounters with local communities, interprets the landscape, and highlights sustainable practices linked to agriculture, culture, and ways of life. Each stop is designed to respect the environment and generate a positive impact on the communities visited.
Experience #4
Culinary Immersion
Flavors, knowledge, and sharing.
The Culinary Immersion experience invites visitors to delve into Cape Verdean cuisine and actively participate in the preparation of traditional dishes. Guided by local cooks, participants learn techniques, ingredients, and stories associated with the gastronomy of Santiago.
This experience values traditional knowledge, promotes the local economy, and creates a space for genuine cultural exchange. More than just cooking, it's about sharing moments, stories, and identities.
Highlights
- Preparation of traditional dishes
- Use of local ingredients
- Cultural sharing with the community
- Local cultural and historical narratives
- Convivial meal
Important Information
- The experience involves preparing and sharing food.
- Please inform us of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance.
- Activity takes place in a family/community setting.
- Respect for local culinary practices and traditions.
- Ideal for families or small groups.
- The activity takes place in Assomada.
- Duration: 6 hours
Price
Starting from: 85€ per person (includes guide, ingredients, activity and lunch)
💡 The value decreases as the number of participants increases.
➕ Transportation from Praia: 75€
Highlights
- Traditional grogue distillery
- Craft brewery
- Guided tasting
- Local culture and know-how
Important Information
- Tastings conducted responsibly
- Activity for those over 18 years of age
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages is optional
- Transportation recommended for greater safety
- Educational and cultural experience
- Ideal for: Lovers of local products, culture and sensory experiences
- The activity takes place in Assomada
- Duration: 5 hours
Price
Starting from: 90€ per person (includes guide, tour and tasting)
💡 The value decreases as the number of participants increases.
➕ Transportation from Praia: 75€
Experience #5
Visit to the Distillery & Craft Brewery
Tradition, innovation and Cape Verdean identity
This tour offers a journey through the world of traditional and artisanal beverages of Cape Verde. Visitors learn about the grogue production process at a local distillery and explore a craft brewery, where tradition and innovation go hand in hand.
The experience includes explanations about raw materials, production methods, and the cultural role of these beverages in Cape Verdean society, always with a responsible and educational approach.
Experience #6
Traditional Pottery Workshop
Hands that tell stories
The Traditional Pottery Workshop is a hands-on experience that allows visitors to learn directly from local artisans. Participants learn ancestral clay molding techniques and understand the cultural and economic value of this craft.
This activity promotes the preservation of intangible heritage and generates direct income for the communities involved, reinforcing Somada Tour's commitment to responsible tourism.
Highlights
- Practical pottery workshop
- Local artisans
- Intangible cultural heritage
- Creation of a handcrafted piece
Important Information
- Hands-on activity with clay and water
- Comfortable clothing that can get dirty is recommended
- Finished items may require drying time
- Children can participate under supervision
- Activity conducted with local artisans
- The activity takes place in Assomada
- Duration: half day
Price
Starting from: 90€ per person (includes guide, activities, a pottery piece and lunch)
💡 Includes materials
💡 The value decreases as the number of participants increases.
➕ Transportation from Praia: 75€
Highlights
- Traditional Cape Verdean dance
- Local music and rhythm
- Cultural interaction
- Inclusive experience
Important Information
- No prior dance experience necessary
- Comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear are recommended
- Activity adaptable to different fitness levels
- Inclusive and participatory experience
- Held in a community cultural space
- Ideal for: All audiences and lovers of living culture
- The activity takes place in Assomada
- Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
Price
Starting from: 85€ per person (includes guide and activity)
💡 The value decreases as the number of participants increases.
➕ Transportation from Praia: 75€
Experience #7
Traditional Dance Class
Rhythm, expression and identity
The Traditional Dance Class offers an introduction to Cape Verdean cultural expressions through body and music. Led by local dancers, the experience allows participants to learn basic steps and understand the social and historical significance of traditional dances.
More than a lesson, it's a moment of cultural celebration, inclusion, and exchange, where the visitor becomes an active part of the experience.