Praia & Cidade Velha tour: UNESCO ruins and slave market history

The first cathedral built by Europeans in sub-Saharan Africa still stands in ruins on this tour.

A guided tour of Praia and Cidade Velha, Cape Verde, covering the Municipal Market, the historical Plateau district, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was the first European settlement south of the Sahara. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a live guide, and walking access to the São Filipe Fortress, the ruins of the first sub-Saharan Cathedral, the former slave market, and Banana Street with its traditional fishing community. The fortress entrance fee (€5 per person) is separate. A small amount of walking is involved. The Municipal Market closes on Sundays and the fortress on holidays.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Praia and Cidade Velha

• Pick up from accommodation
• Walk tour of Plateau historical center
• Visit Municipal Market and Sucupira Market
• Travel to Cidade Velha UNESCO site
• Guided tour of São Filipe Fortress
• Explore ruins of first Cathedral
• Visit former slave market in Pilourinho
• See Banana Street and meet fishermen
• Drop off at accommodation

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your accommodation in Praia, then moves into the Plateau district on foot. You'll walk past the Jaime Mota Military Barracks, the Presidential Palace, and Alexandre Albuquerque Square before reaching the Municipal Market, closed Sundays, where locals sell a mix of Cape Verdean fruits, vegetables and everyday goods. The market gives a direct look at daily life in the city. Afterward you move to the Sucupira Market, Cape Verde's largest souvenir market, to see how the community shops and trades.

The second half crosses to Cidade Velha, the first city Europeans built in sub-Saharan Africa and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guided walking tour covers the São Filipe Fortress, built in 1587 to defend against pirate attacks (entrance €5, paid separately); the ruins of the first Cathedral ever built south of the Sahara; the former slave market in Pilourinho; and Banana Street, where traditional thatched houses line the road and local fishermen still work. The fortress is closed on holidays. The tour ends with drop-off at your hotel.

You can book this as a shared group tour or a private tour. Both include hotel pickup and drop-off, liability insurance, transportation between sites, and a guide who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or French. Wear comfortable clothes, a hat and sunscreen. A small amount of walking is involved across both cities.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Praia.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.
• transportation between Praia and Cidade Velha.
• liability insurance.
• walking access to the Plateau district, Municipal Market, Sucupira Market, São Filipe Fortress grounds, Cathedral ruins, former slave market and Banana Street.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared Group TourUp to 8 people · Guide in 4 languages · 08:30Shared option, lasting 5 hours, includes pickup

Private TourUp to 10 people · Guide in 4 languages · 08:30Private option, lasting 5 hours, includes 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 08:30

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 18 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.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Bu Country Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if you want the pace and stops tailored to your interests. The shared group tour works if you prefer to meet other travelers and split the cost. Either way, plan for a small amount of walking across both cities and bring sun protection.

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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 is Cidade Velha and why does it matter on this tour?

Cidade Velha was the first city built by Europeans in sub-Saharan Africa and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour's second half is devoted to walking through its historical core: the São Filipe Fortress from 1587, the ruins of the first Cathedral built south of the Sahara, the former slave market, and Banana Street with its traditional houses and fishing community.

Does the tour include entry to the São Filipe Fortress?

The fortress entrance fee of €5 per person is not included in the tour price and is paid separately at the site. The fortress is closed on holidays.

What happens at the Municipal Market and is it always open?

The Municipal Market is where locals buy and sell Cape Verdean fruits, vegetables and everyday goods, giving you a direct view of daily life in Praia. The market is closed on Sundays, so the tour skips it on that day.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

A small amount of walking is involved. The tour includes walking through the Plateau district in Praia and then a guided walking tour through Cidade Velha's historical sites, but it is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Can I book this as a private tour instead of a shared group?

Yes, you can choose either a shared group tour or a private tour at checkout. Both include the same sites, guide languages, pickup and drop-off from your accommodation.