Compagnie Du Ponant Cape Verde: 7 nights from Mindelo with Le Ponant
Nov 1, 2025

Mindelo

Mindelo is a vibrant port city located on the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde, an archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa. In the city, cultural vibrancy, historical significance, and natural beauty are mix perfectly together making Mindelo a unique and fascinating destination for tourists. The city is known as the cultural capital of Cape Verde. It has a rich tradition of music, particularly morna and coladeira, which are traditional Cape Verdean music genres.

The city is associated with the famous singer Cesária Évora. Cesária Évora was a Cape Verdean singer and probably the world's best-known morna singer. Her nickname was “barefoot diva” for her habit of performing barefoot. Mindelo hosts one of the most vibrant carnivals in the region, often compared to those in Brazil.

The event is a major draw for tourists and locals alike, featuring parades, music, dance, and elaborate costumes. Mindelo has a thriving art scene, with numerous galleries and markets where local artists and craftsmen display their work. The Mindelo Art Center is a notable venue for exhibitions and performances. The city's nightlife is lively, with numerous bars, restaurants, and clubs offering live music and entertainment, particularly in the historic center around Praça Estrela and Rua Lisboa.

Sao Nicolau

Boa Vista

Praia

Praia is the capital of the Republic of Cape Verde, located on the island of Santiago, the largest of the archipelago, west of Senegal. The country is divided into charming little unofficial districts, the most important are Plateau (centre), Achada, Varzea, Safende and Sucupira (bazaar area). At the Sucupira market, you can buy exotic souvenirs, such as Panu or Babosa land, as well as a variety of handicrafts. Its great strength is the port, which, in addition to its development and the fishing industry, allows the export of coffee, sugar cane and tropical fruit. Thanks to its pleasent climate, It is possible to visit the city all year round. Even during the so-called rainy season (from mid-August to mid-October), it can happen that there is no rainfall for weeks. Thanks to ocean currents, Cape Verde has the lowest temperatures of all West African countries. Cape Verdeans are very fond of music, especially zouk, Funana and local HipHop. They are able to dance energetically throughout the night and one can easily join in. The city has several colonial-era buildings. The main attractions in the city center include Albuquerque Square, the old town hall built in 1920, the presidential palace, built at the end of the 19th century, the Monument of Diogo Gomes, the Portuguese navigator who discovered the island of Santiago in 1460. Apart from those mentioned, its beautiful beaches and good nightlife make this place an idyllic destination.

Maio

Fogo

Mindelo

Mindelo is a vibrant port city located on the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde, an archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa. In the city, cultural vibrancy, historical significance, and natural beauty are mix perfectly together making Mindelo a unique and fascinating destination for tourists. The city is known as the cultural capital of Cape Verde. It has a rich tradition of music, particularly morna and coladeira, which are traditional Cape Verdean music genres.

The city is associated with the famous singer Cesária Évora. Cesária Évora was a Cape Verdean singer and probably the world's best-known morna singer. Her nickname was “barefoot diva” for her habit of performing barefoot. Mindelo hosts one of the most vibrant carnivals in the region, often compared to those in Brazil.

The event is a major draw for tourists and locals alike, featuring parades, music, dance, and elaborate costumes. Mindelo has a thriving art scene, with numerous galleries and markets where local artists and craftsmen display their work. The Mindelo Art Center is a notable venue for exhibitions and performances. The city's nightlife is lively, with numerous bars, restaurants, and clubs offering live music and entertainment, particularly in the historic center around Praça Estrela and Rua Lisboa.