Mindelo on Foot

Cape Verde's cultural capital, at walking pace

Mindelo grew as a coaling station for Atlantic shipping, and it still looks outward: a port town of music bars, colonial façades and a waterfront that fills up every evening.

This loop is about 3 km and takes in the town's main sights in an order that matches its daily rhythm. Begin at Praça Nova, the shady main square, then walk down Rua de Lisboa, the café street, to the Mercado Municipal, a restored market hall where farmers from Santo Antão sell fruit and vegetables.

Cut down to the Marginal, the seafront road, and the Torre de Belém, a small replica of Lisbon's famous tower. Next door the fish market is at its loudest between 7 and 11am, when tuna, wahoo and moray come off the boats. Then follow the marina round to Laginha, the town beach, for a swim and sunset over Monte Cara, the mountain the locals say looks like a face turned to the sky.

Do it slowly, with a coffee in Praça Nova and a beer on the Marginal. The best walk on the island is the one through the town.