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Sé Cathedral Ruins

Sé Cathedral Ruins: Our most recommended tours and activities

Praia: City Tour with Cidade Velha Visit

1. Praia: City Tour with Cidade Velha Visit

Get picked up at your accommodation in Praia, then depart towards the historical centre of Plateau. Start the walking tour through the colonial buildings of the Presidential Palace, the Main Square, the Municipal Market (closed on Sundays) 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. 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. Travel back in time, learn the history from your expert, walk on a black sand beach and meet local fishermen before a short trip back to Praia. After a memorable day, your tour ends with a drop-off at your accommodation.

Santiago Island: Highlights of Cidade Velha with Local Guide

2. Santiago Island: Highlights of Cidade Velha with Local Guide

Discover the essence of Cape Verdean culture at the historic Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on this enlightening 3-hour tour. Enjoy convenient pickup from your accommodation before venturing into a captivating guided walking tour of Cidade Velha's historical treasures. Upon arrival, marvel at the ancient São Filipe Fortress, once a vital defence against pirate attacks. Explore the ruins of the first Cathedral in Sub-Saharan Africa and take in the panoramic views of colonial buildings from Calhau fishing bay. Unveil the poignant history of slavery at the former slave market in Pillory and meet local fishermen. The journey continues to the enchanting Banana Street, adorned with traditional thatched houses, leading you to the remarkable Convent of São Francisco. Travel back in time, learn the history from your expert, walk on a black sand beach and meet local fishermen before a short trip back to Praia. After a memorable day, the tour finishes with a drop-off at your accommodation.

Santiago: Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha

3. Santiago: Calabaceira Valley Trek & Visit to Cidade Velha

After being collected from your accommodation in Praia, depart toward the small village of Calabaceira. Start your 3-hour hike from the top of the valley, with an oasis of vast vegetation emerging in its interior. Follow a simple and accessible trail for any hiker, and explore the green valley famous for both its baobab trees mentioned by Charles Darwin and its use as an escape route for slaves during slavery. Next, discover the local fauna and flora, and have the opportunity to experience the production of a local rum-making distillery. There, get in touch with local farmers and their agricultural fields of sugar cane, mango trees, cassava, banana, and more. Arrive in Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the São Francisco Convent, Banana Street, and Nossa Senhora do Rosário church. Have a break for lunch and savor local delights in a typical restaurant right on the seafront. After lunch, visit the former slave market, the ruins of the Sé Catedral, and the Royal Fortress of São Filipe. From the top, enjoy a beautiful view over the whole old town and find out about the system of defense used against pirates. The tour concludes with drop-off at your accommodation in Praia.

Top sights near Sé Cathedral Ruins

Other Sightseeing Options in Sé Cathedral Ruins

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What people are saying about Sé Cathedral Ruins

Overall rating

4.9 / 5

based on 17 reviews

I was a little unsure about this trip as I have bad knees. But I took my poles and Antonio was very kind going slowly for me. He was very knowledgeable about the trees and plants, and we saw many grey headed kingfishers. The run distillery was interesting! And the boabab tree was quite spectacular! Lunch in the village followed by a trip (by car thank goodness) to the Fort. Oh, and the churches and monastery too! All in all an excellent day and I would highly recommend this company. Thankyou.

Staff knowledgeable of the things they show, although always receptive to knowing more, they create a relationship with the customer that, combined with a natural friendliness, makes visits into something more than a simple visit, but often an interactive discovery that benefits both the parts. Ailton is a young man with a promising future in this area and he has all these qualities.

We had a great tour in cidade velha with Ailton! He was an amazing tour-guide, very friendly and knowledgable. He was able to give us more insight in the history and modern day culture of Cape Verde. We definitely recommend this tour to anyone coming to Praia.

We had a wonderful experience today . We visited Ciudade Velha and with us therewas Maria as guide. She is so nice as person and so professional . She could even help us to find the tickets to Mail island as we could book by ourselves. Thank you so much !

Our guide was also very knowledgeable and was very engaging and accommodating. We can only recommend the tour!