Praia & Cidade Velha guided tour: 3-hour shore excursion

Walk Praia's colonial streets and the ruins where European settlement began

A 3-hour guided tour of Praia and Cidade Velha, starting with harbor pickup, that moves through the Municipal Market, colonial landmarks and the UNESCO World Heritage ruins of the first European city in sub-Saharan Africa. The tour includes a professional guide in your choice of language. Entrance to the Fortress costs extra. A small amount of walking is involved, and the market is closed Sundays.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided historic tour of Praia and Cidade Velha

• Get picked up at Port of Praia
• Visit Jaime Mota barracks history site
• See presidential palace colonial architecture
• Discover oldest square in Praia
• Explore Cape Verde's largest souvenir market
• Discover ancient pirate defense system
• Explore ruins of first Cathedral in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Enjoy panoramic city view from Calhau fishing bay
• Walk along Banana Street with traditional houses
• End tour with drop-off at Praia Harbor

The experience

The tour starts at the Port of Praia and moves through the city's layered history. You'll walk past the Jaime Mota barracks, the presidential palace with its colonial architecture, and the oldest square in Praia before reaching the Municipal Market, Cape Verde's largest, where you can watch daily life unfold and browse local crafts. The guide explains what you're seeing as you move through each stop, so the history of the place becomes concrete rather than abstract.

Cidade Velha, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is where the tour deepens. You'll see the ancient fortification system built to defend against pirate attacks, then explore the ruins of the first Cathedral constructed by Europeans in sub-Saharan Africa. From the top of Calhau fishing bay, you get a panoramic view of the city center's colonial buildings. The walking continues toward Banana Street, known for its traditional thatched houses, before the tour ends with drop-off back at Praia Harbor.

You can book this as a shared group tour or request a private one. A professional guide leads the tour in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French, depending on your choice. Pickup and drop-off at the harbor, transportation between stops, and liability insurance are all included. The only extra cost is the €5 entrance fee to the Fortress if you want to enter it. Wear comfortable clothes, a hat and sunscreen. The walking is light but steady, and you'll be in the sun for much of the three hours.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off at Praia Harbor.
• professional tour guide in your choice of language.
• transportation between all stops.
• liability insurance.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared Group TourGuide in 4 languages · 09:00Shared group tour with pickup included

Private TourGuide in 4 languages · 09:00Includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 5.68

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Bu Country Tours

Is this one for you?Book the shared group tour if you're comfortable with other passengers and want the set schedule to work around your ship's departure time. Choose the private tour if your group wants the guide's full attention and flexibility to linger at any stop.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What's the difference between the shared group tour and the private tour?

The shared group tour runs on a set schedule with other passengers. The private tour is just your group and the guide. Both follow the same route and stops, and both include pickup and drop-off at the harbor.

Is the entrance fee to the Fortress included in the tour price?

No. The €5 entrance fee to the Fortress is not included and is paid separately at the site if you choose to enter. Everything else (transportation, the guide, and access to all the other stops) is covered.

What exactly is Cidade Velha and why does it matter?

Cidade Velha is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first city built by Europeans in sub-Saharan Africa. The tour includes the ruins of the first Cathedral built there, the old fortification system designed to protect against pirates, and colonial buildings that show how the settlement was structured. The guide explains the history of slavery and European expansion as you walk through it.

Is the Municipal Market open every day?

The Municipal Market is closed on Sundays, so if your ship docks on a Sunday, that stop won't be available. The Fortress is also closed on holidays, so check the date before booking if those are stops you want to see.

How much walking is involved?

A small amount of walking is involved, spread across the three hours. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.