Santo Antão Day Trip by Car: Island Highlights with Local Guide

Six hours crossing mountain passes, crater viewpoints and fishing villages on one island loop

A full-day car tour of Santo Antão departing from Porto Novo ferry terminal with a local guide who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or French. You ascend through mountains to Pico da Cruz and Cova crater, cross the narrow Delgadin pass between two major valleys, stop for lunch in Povacao, explore the fertile Ribeira da Torre valley and the fishing village of Ponta do Sol, visit a rum distillery to see how Grogue is made and taste it, then return via the coastal road and lighthouse to catch the afternoon ferry back to São Vicente. Pickup and transportation are included. The tour suits all fitness levels but involves high-altitude driving and mountain roads.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Santo Antão Island Highlights

• Meet local guide at Porto Novo terminal
• Ascend mountains via old cobblestone road
• Pass traditional communities and farmers
• Stop at Pico d Cruz viewpoint
• View crater from atop Cova
• Drive through Delgadin mountaintop crossing
• Stop for lunch in Povacao city
• Visit Ribeira de Torre valley
• Explore fishing village Ponta do Sol
• Taste local rum at distillery
• Visit rum distillery in Eito village
• Return to Porto Novo via coastal road
• Board ferry to São Vicente and transfer to accommodation

The experience

The day starts at the Garemaritima terminal in Porto Novo, where your guide meets you to begin ascending through the mountains along an old cobblestone road. You pass small communities with traditional thatched-roof homes, farmers working the land, and donkeys carrying water: the daily rhythm of the island laid out as you climb. The route takes you to Pico da Cruz, where pine forest and eucalyptus trees frame a view down into the green Paúl valley from above the clouds, then to Cova, where you stand at the crater rim and see how mist allows the farming community below to sustain itself.

The narrow mountaintop crossing at Delgadin separates Ribeira Grande from Ribeira da Torre, a famous spot for photographs, and from there you descend into Povacao, the main city of Ribeira Grande, with its colonial and modern homes and street art, where you stop for lunch. Ribeira da Torre itself is one of the greenest valleys in Cape Verde, planted with bananas, mangos, sugar cane and breadfruit. There is also a large tank pool where locals swim. The fishing village of Ponta do Sol comes next, where you can watch fishermen arrive with the day's catch at the old port called Boca de Pistola. You then visit a Grogue distillery (the local rum is produced here) to see how it is made and taste it. The municipality of Paúl holds a grand Saint Anthony statue overlooking Villa das Pombas, and in the village of Eito there is another rum distillery where you have the chance to taste again.

The return journey follows the new coastal road back to Porto Novo, passing through mountain tunnels and past the Farol de Fontes Pereira de Melo lighthouse. You arrive in time to board the afternoon ferry to São Vicente, and upon arrival at the harbor you receive a transfer to your accommodation in Mindelo. The guide may speak more than one language depending on the group size, and if the group is smaller than four people, the guide may also be the driver.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off at Porto Novo ferry terminal.
• full-day transportation by car.
• local professional guide fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.
• entry to the Grogue rum distillery with a tasting at each location.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to4h before

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

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.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 due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Green Line Tours Cabo Verde

Is this one for you?Six hours leaves room to see the island's major valleys, passes and villages in one day, but means an early start from the ferry and a return timed to the afternoon departure. Plan the rest of your São Vicente time around those ferry windows.

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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 happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Grogue and where do I taste it on this tour?

Grogue is the local rum of Santo Antão, produced in distilleries you visit in both Ponta do Sol and the village of Eito. You see how it is made at each distillery and have the opportunity to taste it at both stops.

Does the tour include lunch, and where do we eat?

Lunch is a stop in the colorful city of Povacao, one of the main cities in Ribeira Grande. The restaurant accepts euros and escudos but not cards, so bring cash. Let your guide know of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance.

What is Delgadin and why is it famous for photographs?

Delgadin is a narrow mountaintop crossing that separates the two major valleys of Ribeira Grande and Ribeira da Torre. The vantage point from this pass is well-known among photographers visiting Santo Antão.

How does the tour connect to the ferry schedule?

You are picked up at Porto Novo ferry terminal when you arrive on the morning ferry from São Vicente, and the tour is timed to return you to Porto Novo in time to board the afternoon ferry back to São Vicente, with a transfer to your Mindelo accommodation included upon arrival.

What kind of roads will we drive on during this tour?

The tour involves high-altitude driving through mountain roads, including an old cobblestone route through communities in the mountains, the narrow Delgadin pass between valleys, and a return via the new coastal road with tunnels and views of the lighthouse.