Cape Verde: A gem worth discovering

Cape Verde is a place one should discover slowly, so as not to miss a single thing. Scattered across the Atlantic around 600 kilometres off the coast of Senegal, this volcanic archipelago is a place where you can’t help but notice the striking contrasts. Emerald valleys give way to black lava fields, golden sands melt into impeccable turquoise seas, and colourful towns vibrate with energy long after the sun has set. Across its ten islands, no two landscapes or cultures feel quite the same, making Cape Verde one of the Atlantic's most captivating yet least explored destinations.

Perhaps what defines Cape Verde most is actually its spirit. Cape Verdeans call it morabeza, a Creole word that describes the warmth, kindness and relaxed hospitality extended to visitors, often making them feel more like old friends than strangers. It's found in the sound of morna drifting through Mindelo's streets. Recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, morna is a soulful and often nostalgic Cape Verdean musical tradition that brings together voice, poetry and instruments such as the guitar and cavaquinho. The same spirit can be felt in conversations shared over a glass of local grogue, a traditional sugarcane spirit that is commonly produced using artisanal methods, and in the unhurried pace of island life that encourages travellers to slow down and savour each moment. While each island has its own personality, travelling between them reveals the richness of the archipelago as a whole. São Vicente is alive with creativity and music, earning its reputation as the cultural capital. Fogo is dominated by one of the Atlantic's most impressive active volcanoes, where vineyards flourish in volcanic soil beneath towering peaks. Boa Vista's windswept dunes seem to stretch endlessly towards the sea, while São Nicolau offers lush mountain trails, ancient dragon trees and villages tucked into green valleys.

It's a destination that lends itself naturally to exploration by sea. Sailing between the islands offers a perspective that's impossible to experience on land, where dramatic coastlines rise from the horizon and each arrival feels like the discovery of somewhere entirely new. Aboard Le Ponant, the world's first Relais & Châteaux sailing yacht, that connection to the ocean becomes part of the journey itself. With just 32 guests on board, days unfold to the rhythm of the wind, balancing elegant comfort with the simple pleasure of travelling under sail. Between ports, there's time to watch the Atlantic change colour, dine beneath the stars and appreciate the rare luxury of moving at nature's pace.

Although Cape Verde has long remained one of the Atlantic's best-kept secrets, that may not be the case for much longer. The country's historic qualification for its first FIFA World Cup in 2026, followed by its remarkable run to the knockout stage, introduced millions of football fans to the island nation and shone a global spotlight on its vibrant culture, resilience and national pride. For many, it was their first real glimpse of Cape Verde. For travellers, it's another reminder that some of the world's most rewarding destinations are still waiting to be discovered.

Cape Verde is a place of great beauty and wonderful liveliness, where every island has its own distinct identity and where the greatest luxury is simply having the time to experience it all. Whether hiking through volcanic landscapes, wandering colourful harbour towns or sailing beneath full canvas across the Atlantic, Cape Verde leaves visitors with the feeling that they've discovered something truly special.