Bu Country Tours

Praia City

The city of Praia is the capital of Cape Verde, an archipelago country in the Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal. It is located south of the island of Santiago. It is also the seat of the municipality of the same name. Praia is the largest city in Cape Verde. It has a commercial port, through which coffee, sugar cane and tropical fruits are exported. It also has an important fishing industry.

As the capital city, it shelters in the zone called Plateau, a promontory by the sea, public buildings and other important constructions, such as the Presidential Palace, built in the end of the XIX century to be the residence of the Portuguese governor. Other buildings include the old City Hall, a building with a classical façade and a square central tower, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Graça, also in the classical style, the Ethnographic Museum, and the Monument to Diogo Gomes, a Portuguese navigator and discoverer of Santiago Island in 1460.

Top Attractions

Dona Maria Pia Lighthouse

The Royal Fort of São Filipe was built in 1587, in a dominant position about 120 meters above sea level, it was the first and most important fortification in the archipelago. It headed the city's defensive system, composed of six more small forts scattered at various strategic points in the old city.

The lighthouse of D. Maria Pia, also known as the lighthouse of ponta Temerosa or lighthouse of Praia, is a Cape Verdean lighthouse located in Ponta Temerosa, on the west side of the entrance to the port of Praia, capital of Cape Verde. It is located in the parish of Nossa Senhora da Graça, about 3.5 km SSE of the city, on Santiago Island.

It is an octagonal masonry tower, with a lantern and gallery, with an annexed first floor building. The entire structure is painted white, with the dome of the lantern in gray.

Alexandre Albuquerque Square

Alexandre Albuquerque Square is the main square in the capital city of Praia, Cape Verde.

It is located in the southwestern part of the Plateau, the historic center of the city of Praia.

Formerly known as Pelourinho Square, it received its current name in 1876 in honor of the Portuguese colonial governor Caetano Alexandre de Almeida e Albuquerque . It is flanked by several historic public buildings and row houses, many of which date from the 19th century. The square is surrounded by Rua Patrice Lumumba, Rua Serpa Pinto, and Avenida Amílcar Cabral.

Catedral Nossa Senhora da Graça

The Pro-cathedral Nossa Senhora da Graça also called Catedral Nossa Senhora da Graça is the name of a church that is located in the Praça Alexandre Albuquerque, in the city of Praia, on the island of Santiago, Cape Verde.

The current temple was opened on August 15, 1902, although the parish is over 400 years old. It follows the Roman or Latin rite and functions as the See of the Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde.

Pope John Paul II visited it on January 25, 1990.

Sucupira Market

The heart of Santiago island is the Sucupira Market, right in the middle of the capital’s old centre. The Market paints an anthropological portrait of Cape Verde, with its colourful produce and lively, friendly vibe. The gates to the market on the Avenue Cidade de Lisboa are an entry into a labyrinth of stalls laden with all sorts of things for sale, from fresh fruits, vegetables and raw meat, to local CDs and African fabrics.

kebra Kanela beach

Quebra Canela is a subdivision of the city of Praia in the island of Santiago, Cape Verde. Its population was 19 at the 2010 census. It is situated southwest of the city centre. Adjacent neighbourhoods are Palmarejo to the west, Achada Santo António to the north and Prainha to the east. It has a popular beach With several places to eat and get some rest, this the best beach in the city of Praia! There is even a place to rent a kayak and enjoy the beautiful coast..