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Island by island, this section provides descriptions of each of the main islands constituting the Cape Verde archipelago.

Santo Antao

Considered by many to have the most spectacular of all the Cape Verdian landscapes, Santo Antao consists of a mountain range exceeding 5000ft which divides the island in two. Take a ferry from Sao Vicente, taking about one hour into Porto Novo. Visit the towns of Ribeira Grande, many visitors base for further explorations, and Ponto do Sol, the island's administrative capital. The colonial architecture is prevalent here and the island's airport is located here. Favoured especially by walkers, the island has a strangely diverse local sub climate, ranging from the rugged coast to the fertile forests in the interior. Near the township of Janela is a rock with inscriptions dating back to the fifteenth century. Another important thing to try while in the Cape Verde archipelago is its famous local rum, grogue. Made from sugar cane, it has quite a kick!

Sao Vicente

As one of the volcanic isles, land erosion has caused the coastline to shrink. Mindelo is the capital and a post-colonial port. You can see the influences left behind by its former British rulers, in the cemetery and coaling station. Mindelo is also a site for intellectual and artistic communities and has a lively nightlife. Visit around Ash Wednesday, and you should catch the island's carnival, Cape Verde's liveliest. Another traditional festival held on Sao Vicente during August is the Baia das Gatas music festival, an international music event lasting three days and three nights. There is also a great beach here that is the island's safest. If windsurfing is your thing, you'd be mad to miss Sao Pedro beach, a long stretch that enables fast sailing. The cultural centre for Cape Verde, in terms of music and its cosmopolitan vibe, many of the big names in Cape Verdian music originated from Sao Vicente.

Sal

The most developed of the islands, Sal hosts the international airport, and a wide range of hotels to choose from. The gorgeous stretches of palm-lined beaches have attracted a range of visitors. The main town here, Santa Maria, is a centre for tourism and water sports in the crystal waters and sandy coves. The entertainment found here is typical of the lively Capverdian culture, bars and restaurants playing local music. Espargos is the administrative centre, located close to the airport and offers plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to keep you amused.

Sal is named after the salt mines that once operated here, and the island is the flattest in the archipelago. Tours of the island are available taking in the Pedra de Lume salt pond, the port of Palmeira the volcano crater and the natural pool at Buracona. Sea excursions can be taken by boat around the coast, stopping at various ports along the way.

Alternatively you can take day trips to other islands by catamaran. The rapid expansion of the tourism on the island is evident in the many hotels and facilities springing up; it is primarily a beach resort due to its rather monotonous scenery. Accommodation is not a problem here, and you can even hire a beach buggy and taxis are available from the airport.

Santiago

Considered, the most African of all the islands, Santiago is rich in culture, evident during its many festivals and local music. It is also the largest island in Cape Verde and the most densely populated. The scenery here remains stunning and natural, testament to its ancient status as the first Cape Verde Island to be populated by humans. In contrast to Sal, the interior is mountainous, the highest peak being Pico d'Antonia at 5000 ft. The beaches are sandy but smaller than on some other islands, but the landscapes are fabulous nonetheless, for the colourful flora and picturesque villages. The capital Praia enjoys a lively entertainment scene. The stunningly natural town of Tarrafa, on a hill, overlooking a lush valley opening out into the palm-lined beaches and blue waters.

About ten miles from the old city of Praia, Cidade Velha was a port for the trading of slaves and goods between the European empires. The old fortress overlooks narrow, cobbled streets, giving the city a nostalgic air of its former glory during colonial times. This is an interesting place to wander round, taking the old Cathedral and St Filipe Fortress. The first university in Cape Verde was established here in Praia. There is also a museum of marine archaeology, which houses treasure recovered from various wrecks that sunk around the islands.

You can rent a jeep to travel across the mountain ranges to Vila do Tarrafal, stopping at Assomada en route, where you can find a colourful African market. The return trip along the coastal roads affords stunning views.

Boavista

Dubbed 'the sand dune isle' for it' has a distinctly desert-like appearance, Boavista experiences the hot, dry winds blowing off the Sahara. An ideal location for sailing, diving, surfing, fishing, and kayaking, Boavista also boasts one of the best beaches to be found on Cape Verde, Curralinho, it is also the largest. The quaint port at Sal Rei is the Boavista's capital, and here you'll find the limited accommodation the island offers. Boavista is still very much developing, and you will need to book rooms in advance.

If you have your own transport, you can reach many of the island's incredible highlights, and some of the more remote beaches. There is a craft centre just inland from Chave beach, where you find sites of production of ceramics. Walking tours across the sand dunes are popular, as are the extensive selection of water sports.

Fogo

Fogo developed from a volcano, the summit reaches 10,000ft, and the climate is unsurprisingly hot all year round. There is great contrast here between the arid spots in the south and the lush, green northern region. The capital is Sao Filipe, built on a cliff, and like Sao Vicente, still very much reflects its colonial past, especially in the architecture. The sand on the island is black, due to the volcanic nature of the rock, and you can bathe in the natural pool at Salina de Sao Jorge. The village of Chas das Caldeiras is actually inside the crater of the volcano, well worth the three-hour journey from Sao Filipe. It is possible to arrange to stay with a family at the base, or alternatively at the Pousada Pedra Brabu, near Chas das Caldeiras. You can hire a guide and the ascent takes about five hours, the descent about two, if you feeling fit, give it a go, but it's not recommended for those in less than tiptop condition. If you've exerted yourself enough at other activities, you can always ride to the volcano on a horse, riding equipment is available to rent.

Maio

The sand here is white and the beaches, like the rest of the island, idyllic. Another extremely flat island, it is so quiet it has almost been forgotten. The vast, palm-fringed beaches are all but deserted and you can bask in its unspoilt loveliness. Even the turtles have recognised this haven, and many have been earmarked to lay their eggs. You'll be spoilt for choice where to lay and simply absorb the tranquillity. If you could ever get bored of this, head to the capital, Vila do Maio. Only a small town but there is a traditional church. The next town along, about three miles down, is Morro where there isn't much to do but enjoy the peace and breathtaking scenery.

You'd benefit by hiring a vehicle to navigate Maio, accessing its many beaches and simple villages. The locals here favour a quiet life, yet are invariably friendly, and with a population of only 6,000, and scenery so stunning, you can understand the unhurried pace.