Major city · Cape Verde
Cidade Velha
Spend a half‑day in Cidade Velha, explore the UNESCO site and return to Praia; no overnight stay needed.
Cidade Velha is Cape Verde's oldest European settlement and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It fits easily into a half‑day from Praia, with walking as the main mode of travel and modest entry fees.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CVE
- Best months
- Nov–Jun
- Airport
- RAI
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- African islands ↗Sleep on the island you fly home from the night before your long-haul departure; inter-island flights and ferries in this region are cancelled or rescheduled often enough to break a same-day connection.
- African islands ↗In the Indian Ocean islands book flexible rates for December to March: a cyclone warning can shut airports, ferries and roads for two or three days.
- Cape Verde ↗Complete the EASE pre-registration and pay the airport security fee (TSA) on the official platform at least 5 days before arrival; from July 2026 arriving without it doubles the fee at the border (check your passport's visa rules there too).
- Cape Verde ↗Confirm ferries and inter-island flights the day before; sea conditions and schedules change at short notice.
- Cape Verde ↗Swim only on beaches known to be safe: Atlantic swell and currents are strong on most coasts, and lifeguards are rare outside Santa Maria.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cidade Velha132 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cidade Velha, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), pegged at about 110.27 per euro; euros are sometimes accepted in tourist areas, usually at a rounded rate.Cape Verde-wide
- SIM or eSIMCV Movel and Unitel T+ sell SIMs at airports and shops with a passport; a few GB costs a few euros.Cape Verde-wide
- Tap waterMostly desalinated; bottled water recommended.Cape Verde-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if service is good.Cape Verde-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Cape Verde-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; keep an eye on personal belongings in crowded areas and confirm taxi fares before boarding.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets everywhere tourists go; bring paper on hikes.Cape Verde-wide
- Emergency numbers132 police · 130 ambulance · 131 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close for lunch (about 12:30–15:00) outside resorts; Sunday is quiet; Carnival closes offices.Shops close for lunch (about 12:30 PM–3:00 PM) outside resorts; Sunday is quiet; Carnival closes offices.Cape Verde-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportRAI Nelson Mandela International Airport (Main airport on Santiago, about 30 km (19 mi) from Cidade Velha).RAI Nelson Mandela International Airport (Main airport on Santiago, about 19 mi (30 km) from Cidade Velha).
- Getting aroundWalk the compact historic centre; the main attractions are within a 10‑minute walk from the fort to the Pelourinho.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a local café≈ 200 CVE
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Praia to Cidade Velhacheck≈ 1,000 CVE
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (Praia), a night, per roomCVE 3,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (Praia), a night, per roomCVE 5,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (Praia), a night, per roomCVE 8,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CVE 500 · Mid CVE 800 · High CVE 1,200
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RAI Nelson Mandela International Airport (Main airport on Santiago, about 30 km (19 mi) from Cidade Velha)RAI Nelson Mandela International Airport (Main airport on Santiago, about 19 mi (30 km) from Cidade Velha)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Jun. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cidade Velha: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the compact historic centre; the main attractions are within a 10‑minute walk from the fort to the Pelourinho.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: ≈ 30 min round trip
Taxi from Cidade Velha, about 20 min; or minibus from the market square
Visit the market and historic Plateau before returning to Cidade Velha.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Tourist office accommodation listings
Ask at the local tourist office for guesthouses; most visitors stay in Praia.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €5–10 (≈ US$6–12) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room (Praia)1 × 1 night × CVE 3,000 | CVE 3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CVE 500 | CVE 500 |
| Taxi round‑trip Praia ↔ Cidade Velha1 × CVE 1,000 · Negotiate price before boarding. | CVE 1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CVE 450 |
| Trip total≈ CVE 4,950 per person per day, bed included | CVE 4,950 |
Ask at the tourist office for listings; most visitors stay in Praia.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Taxi from Praia to Cidade Velhacheck | ≈ 1,000 CVE |
| Fort entrancecheck | 500 CVE |
| Coffee at a local café | ≈ 200 CVE |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fort entrance fee is 500 CVE (check for updates).
- Taxi from Praia to Cidade Velha costs up to 1,000 CVE; negotiate price.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 132
- Ambulance
- 130
- Fire
- 131
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Cidade VelhaCidade Velha
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police132
- Ambulance130
- Fire131
Embassy
US consulate is in Praia; other nations have representation in Praia or at the embassy in Lisbon.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Praia → Cidade Velha taxi: ≈ 1,000 CVE round trip (check)
Say or show
- Quanto custa? — How much does it cost? (kwahn-toh koos-tah)
- Onde fica o forte? — Where is the fort? (ohn-deh fee-kah oo for-teh)
- Quero um mapa, por favor — I would like a map, please (keh-roh oong mah-pah por fah-vor)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cidade Velha. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Jun · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Cidade Velha
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