Booking fee
The booking fee includes the costs of booking your tickets such as charges for payment processing. It also covers the provision of our customer care center for processing your order, and all charges imposed by our suppliers.
* This tour requires at least one of the following per booking: Adult, Senior
Explore the first city built by Europeans in sub-Saharan Africa, Cidade Velha, a World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Cape Verdean nation and culture. Enrich your knowledge of the history of colonization and slavery in Cape Verde, and take in the city's highlights.
Liability insurance
Tour Guide
Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation in Praia or Cidade Velha
Transportation
Lunch
Entrance fee (€5 for São Filipe Fortress)
Departure Point
Traveler pickup is offered
If your accommodation is not listed, please send us an email with your pick-up address.
Airport pick-up is not included. An additional fee will apply for travelers who require this service.
Traveler pickup
Port of Praia
Praia, Praia, Cape Verde Get picked up from your accommodation and travel towards Cidade Velha. 15 minutes
Cidade Velha, Cidade Velha, Cape Verde Explore the highlights of Cidade Velha, a World Heritage Site that represents the cradle of Cape Verdean nation and culture. 25 minutes
Convento de Sao Francisco, Cidade Velha, Cape Verde The Convent of São Francisco was built in the 17th century, and it has served as housing for the Franciscan order and a training center for priests. 25 minutes
W98V+JW6, National Hwy, Cidade Velha, Kaapverdië The first historical monument to be built in Cape Verde. It is an important church visited by columbus and Vasco da Gama before sailing on to remote lands. 15 minutes
Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande, Cidade Velha, Cape Verde At lunch, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the city and taste local delights in a typical restaurant right on the seafront. 30 minutes
Rue Banana, Cidade Velha, Cape Verde Visit the famous Banana Street with its traditional houses. It was the first street to be urbanized by the Portuguese in the tropics. 25 minutes
Pelourinho, Cidade Velha, Cape Verde Meet local fishermen and learn the history of slavery at the former slave market in Pillory. 25 minutes
Se Catedral, Cidade Velha, Cape Verde Explore the ruins of the first Cathedral built by Europeans in Sub-Saharan Africa, followed by a panoramic view of the city center's colonial buildings from the top of Calhau fishing bay.
25 minutes
Fortaleza Real de San Felipe, Cidade Velha, Cape Verde Take a guided walking tour of the São Felipe Fortress and discover the ancient system of defense against pirate attacks.
Please not that the €5 per person for Fortress entrance is not included.
30 minutes
Praia, Praia, Cape Verde The tour finishes with drop-off back to your hotel in Praia. 15 minutes
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please bring comfortable clothes and shoes, a hat and sunscreen
A moderate walking is involved
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Daniel_A
05 Oct 2024
Our tour of Cidade Velha with our guide Alex was fantastic! He taught us a lot about the city's rich history, from Rua Banana, the oldest street in Cape Verde to the impressive fortress and convent, he also shared incredible stories about Cape Verde’s connection with the Portuguese and even the English. We visited the oldest church in Sub-Saharan Africa and learned about the city’s role in the transatlantic slave trade which was especially moving. If you're looking for an authentic and insightful way to explore Cape Verde's heritage, I definitely recommend this tour.
Owen_H
31 Mar 2024
Dana was a delight and great fun to be with and was very considerate of my questions and interests. I learned a lot about Cidade Velha and it's various waves of pirate attacks, but also about the geopolitical significance of being the first European settlement in the tropics. Dana also told me some of the deeply emptional stories of how people were bought and sold in the town square, with local (captive)women singing to give those about to be taken to the new world hope of one day returning to Africa. To boost moral at its lowest ebb. Its a beautiful and deeply historic spot and well worth the trip.
FarAway684487
06 Nov 2021
Very nice town. One of the few places in Cape Verde where you can see culturally sights. The guide was very nice and was telling a lot about the history of this place and Cape Verde.
This tour in
Cape Verde
is organized by
Bu Country Tours
We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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