Districts · Praia
Praia by district
Praia is a coastal capital on a series of low plateaus. The Plateau is the old centre; Prainha and the town beaches are below it on the south coast; Palmarejo is west; Achada Santo António is east and south-east; the airport is north-east, about 4–5 km from the centre.Praia is a coastal capital on a series of low plateaus. The Plateau is the old centre; Prainha and the town beaches are below it on the south coast; Palmarejo is west; Achada Santo António is east and south-east; the airport is north-east, about 2.5–3.1 mi from the centre.
About these names
- Plateau (Platô)seesleepSuits: A first morning of sights, short stays, bags by carSquares, the cathedral, the museum and the Sucupira market; quiet after dark.4 sights · 3 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- PrainhaseeSuits: A beach afternoonThe town beach and promenade below the Plateau; a taxi both ways.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- PalmarejosleepeatSuits: Restaurants, sea views, a calmer baseA seaside district west of the centre with hotels and evening restaurants.1 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Achada Santo AntónioeatSuits: Cafés, bakeries and a local eveningA newer residential district south-east of the Plateau; useful for cafés, not for sights.District guide →
- Gamboa and the portskip as a baseSuits: Local beach afternoons and the festival siteEast of the Plateau near the port; a local beach with a crowd at weekends.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Várzea and outer districtsskip as a baseSuits: Local lifeInland residential areas; not set up for sightseeing.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI) (15–30 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Gamboa and the port, Várzea and outer districts. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Plateau (Platô): Squares, the cathedral, the museum and the Sucupira market; quiet after dark. Suits: A first morning of sights, short stays, bags by car. Price band $$.
- Prainha: The town beach and promenade below the Plateau; a taxi both ways. Suits: A beach afternoon.
- Palmarejo: A seaside district west of the centre with hotels and evening restaurants. Suits: Restaurants, sea views, a calmer base. Price band $$.
- Achada Santo António: A newer residential district south-east of the Plateau; useful for cafés, not for sights. Suits: Cafés, bakeries and a local evening.
- Gamboa and the port: East of the Plateau near the port; a local beach with a crowd at weekends. Suits: Local beach afternoons and the festival site.
- Várzea and outer districts: Inland residential areas; not set up for sightseeing. Suits: Local life.
- Sleep area Palmarejo: suits Restaurants, sea views, a calmer base, price band $$.
- Sleep area Plateau: suits A first morning of sights, short stays, bags by car, price band $$.
- Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI), 15–30 min by the usual route.