Cabo Verde is a stunning archipelago of ten volcanic islands off the coast of West Africa, offering pristine beaches, vibrant Creole culture, and year-round sunshine. From the windswept dunes of Boa Vista to the lush mountains of Santo Antão, this island nation combines African and Portuguese influences with world-class water sports and authentic island hospitality.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Morna & Funaná CDs/Vinyl
Recordings of Cabo Verde's beloved musical traditions, including morna (soulful ballads made famous by Cesária Évora) and funaná (upbeat accordion-driven folk). Available in music shops in Mindelo and Praia, often featuring local artists.
Price: $8-25
Where: Mindelo music shops, Praia markets, Centro Cultural do Mindelo
Panu di Terra (Woven Cloth)
Traditional hand-woven cloth produced on São Nicolau and Santo Antão using techniques brought from West Africa. Distinctive stripe patterns in natural cotton colors make excellent table runners, wall hangings, or fashion accessories.
Price: $15-80
Where: Mercado Municipal Mindelo, craft shops in Santo Antão, artisan stalls in Praia Plateau
Cabo Verdean Pottery
Hand-thrown terracotta pots and decorative pieces inspired by Portuguese and West African traditions. Santiago Island potters produce distinctive reddish-brown bowls, vases, and figurines fired in traditional kilns.
Price: $10-60
Where: Artisan workshops near Praia, Sucupira Market, craft fairs in Mindelo
Grogue (Cabo Verdean Rum)
Artisanal sugarcane spirit produced on Santo Antão, Santiago, and Fogo islands. Each island's grogue has distinct character depending on local sugarcane varieties and distillation methods. Often aged or infused with local fruits.
Price: $8-30
Where: Supermarkets, local shops, direct from distilleries on Santo Antão
Cabo Verdean Coffee (Fogo Island)
Rare volcanic-soil coffee grown on the slopes of Pico do Fogo. Rich, earthy flavor from mineral-rich volcanic soil. Sold as whole beans or ground. One of the most distinctive agricultural products of the archipelago.
Price: $12-35
Where: Fogo Island cooperative, specialty food shops in Praia and Mindelo
Coral and Shell Jewelry
Handcrafted necklaces, bracelets, and earrings made from locally sourced shells, coral fragments, and ocean-colored glass beads. Beach vendors and market stalls offer a wide range of styles from simple to elaborate.
Price: $5-40
Where: Santa Maria beach markets, Boa Vista beach vendors, Sucupira Market Praia
Cabo Verdean Paintings
Original paintings by local artists depicting island life, fishing boats, dramatic landscapes, and Creole cultural scenes. Mindelo has a particularly vibrant arts scene with numerous galleries and street artists.
Price: $30-300
Where: Centro Cultural do Mindelo, galleries on Rua de Lisboa Mindelo, Praia art market
Volcanic Wine (Cha das Caldeiras)
Extraordinary wine produced from vines growing inside Fogo volcano's caldera in volcanic soil. Powerful, mineral-driven red wine from Manecom cooperative. A truly unique souvenir unique to Cabo Verde.
Price: $15-40
Where: Cha das Caldeiras cooperative on Fogo Island, specialty shops in Praia
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercado Municipal de Mindelo
Mindelo's vibrant central market is the cultural heart of São Vicente, offering fresh produce, spices, fish, and handcrafted goods. Local vendors sell tropical fruits, vegetables, and street food stalls serve traditional cachupa and fresh juices.
Where: Rua de Lisboa, Mindelo, São Vicente Island
Hours: Monday-Saturday 6:00-18:00
Sucupira Market (Mercado de Sucupira)
Praia's largest and most chaotic market covering several blocks near the beach. Hundreds of stalls selling everything from clothing and electronics to fresh produce and traditional crafts. An authentic urban Cabo Verdean market experience.
Where: Praia, Santiago Island
Hours: Monday-Saturday 7:00-18:00
Santa Maria Beach Market
Relaxed beachfront craft market along Santa Maria's main promenade catering primarily to tourists. Vendors sell jewelry, fabrics, carvings, paintings, and souvenirs. Prices are negotiable and browsing is pressure-free.
Where: Santa Maria promenade, Sal Island
Hours: Daily 9:00-20:00
Assomada Market
The largest rural market in Cabo Verde, held twice weekly in the highland town of Assomada. Local farmers bring produce from across Santiago Island including rare fruits, vegetables, and traditional foods rarely seen in tourist areas.
Where: Assomada, Santiago Island
Hours: Wednesday and Saturday 6:00-14:00 (market days)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Santa Maria Town Center
The main pedestrian street through Santa Maria on Sal Island is lined with souvenir shops, clothing boutiques, and beachwear stores. Convenient one-stop shopping for beach essentials, souvenirs, and gifts with extended hours to serve resort guests.
Best for: Souvenirs, beachwear, beach accessories, postcards
Rua de Lisboa, Mindelo
Mindelo's most atmospheric street lined with colonial buildings housing boutiques, music shops, art galleries, and cafés. The cultural epicenter of Cabo Verde's shopping scene where you'll find unique local crafts, music recordings, and original artwork.
Best for: Music, art, books, unique gifts, local crafts
Plateau District, Praia
Praia's historic hilltop city center contains the highest concentration of shops, banks, and services on Santiago Island. Mix of local clothing stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, and a few craft shops catering to both locals and visitors.
Best for: Everyday shopping, local brands, practical items, supermarkets
Sal Rei Town, Boa Vista
The main town on Boa Vista has a modest selection of souvenir shops, local grocery stores, and craft vendors near the main square. Smaller and quieter than Sal or Praia but with authentic atmosphere and local character.
Best for: Local handicrafts, groceries, beachwear, basic supplies
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Orla de Santa Maria Shopping
Modern small shopping center in Santa Maria with a mix of clothing stores, pharmacies, and convenience shops. Air-conditioned respite from the heat with a supermarket and several international brand boutiques catering to resort guests.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00-21:00, Sunday 10:00-18:00
Praia Shopping (Achada Santo António)
Praia's most modern retail complex in the Achada Santo António business district. Features clothing stores, electronics shops, a cinema, food court, supermarket, and pharmacy. Popular with middle-class Cabo Verdeans and business travelers.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00-21:00, Sunday 10:00-20:00
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is acceptable at open-air markets, craft stalls, and beach vendors but not in established shops with price tags
Start at 50-60% of the asking price and meet somewhere in the middle - vendors expect negotiation
Buying multiple items gives you much stronger bargaining power - bundle purchases
Be polite and friendly during negotiation - aggressive haggling is considered rude in Cabo Verdean culture
Walking away often results in the vendor calling you back with a better price
Morning market visits often get better prices before vendors establish their first sale of the day
Learn a few words in Creole (kriolu) - vendors warm to the effort and may offer better deals
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Cannot export coral, shells from protected beaches, or sea turtle products - strictly enforced with significant fines. Export of antiques over 100 years old requires cultural ministry authorization.
Tax Refund: No VAT refund scheme for tourists currently in operation in Cabo Verde.
Duty Free: EU travelers can bring back €430 worth of goods duty-free. Alcohol limit: 2 liters wine + 1 liter spirits. Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars.
Shipping: International shipping available from main post offices (CTT Correios) in Praia and Mindelo. DHL and FedEx operate on major islands for larger packages. Shipping fragile items can be unreliable - use professional packing services.