Cape Verde’s second-largest island, Santo Antão, is drawing growing attention from international adventure travellers and tour operators as the archipelago diversifies beyond its beach resort image, with a government-backed infrastructure push and a long-awaited airport project set to transform its accessibility.
Largely untouched by mass tourism, the island has become a benchmark destination for hikers Actour Cabo Verde, offering trails that run from sea-level coastal paths to high volcanic ridges. The island’s spectacular mountain scenery attracted more than 42,000 tourists in 2019, a 20% increase on the previous year, according to Cape Verde’s Directorate General of Tourism. Revistaitransporte
The island has no functioning airport. The former Agostinho Neto Airport near Ponta do Sol was closed in the 1990s following a fatal crash in August 1999 that killed all 18 occupants of a TACV flight. Wikipedia Since then, the only way to reach the island is by ferry from Mindelo on the neighbouring island of São Vicente, a journey of approximately one hour. Indie Traveller
An EUR80mn project to build a new international airport on the island has been announced, with Cape Verde’s Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva visiting to confirm the government’s commitment. The project forms part of the country’s Vision 2030 strategy to expand infrastructure and connectivity. Travel And Tour World A technical feasibility study by engineering firm Ineco identified a site at Ponta do Morro Preto, seven kilometres from the island’s capital, Porto Novo, as the most suitable location, requiring less earthworks than alternative options.
On the ground, investment in the island’s trail network is already under way. Santo Antão now has a rehabilitated and signposted pedestrian network, with newly mapped routes listed on six specialist outdoor platforms including AllTrails, Komoot and OutdoorActive under the profile “Percursursos Santo Antão_Cabo Verde”, making the island’s trails visible to international hiking communities. Voyages Afriq
A second investment phase is in preparation, with tender documents being drawn up for the construction of two to three lookout towers per municipality. Trail investment budgets in the next tranche exceed CVE37,000 in Porto Novo, CVE42,000 in Ribeira Grande and approximately CVE32,000 in Paul.
The RM Green Hotel, a cliff-top property on the island, opened in 2025 and has been noted by travel specialists for its early reviews. Archipelago Choice
Cape Verde’s Minister of Tourism and Transport, Dr Carlos Jorge Duarte Santos, told Outlook Travel Magazine that the government is targeting 1.2 million tourist arrivals across the archipelago, with trekking and ecotourism on Santo Antão identified as a growth area. Outlooktravelmag
“Visitors arriving in Cabo Verde have increasingly ventured out of the resorts and travelled throughout the islands in search of local experiences,” said Francisco Martins, Executive Member of the Cabo Verde Tourism Institute.