Cape Verde's many hilly islands offer good hiking. One of the best places for a short trek is the hilly green interior of Santo Antão Island. The main hike is up Ribeira Grande Mountain, some 10km (6mi) south of the town of Ribeira Grande, which is on the north-eastern coast. Getting to the top and back takes most of a day. Brava and São Vicente also have some excellent hikes.

Cape Verde has one of Africa's most vibrant Carnival celebrations. It's the country's major party, with street parades in February in Praia and Mindelo. On São Tiago and Fogo, Tabanka is celebrated in May and June and marked by music and abstinence. Each island also has its own festival, with the party going on for about a week.