Cape Verde is taking off

Once under the radar, the Cape Verde Islands are quickly gaining traction as a winter destination. «Over the past two years, we’ve seen consistently rising demand, increased bookings, and an expansion of our flight and hotel offerings,» says Sonja Ptassek, spokesperson for TUI Suisse.

Mirjam Jaiteh of Let’s Go Tours notes that while destinations like Mauritius, the Seychelles, the Maldives, Oman, and Tanzania remain popular, Cape Verde is rapidly becoming a favored choice. With warm temperatures throughout the winter, the islands are ideal for both beach holidays and active escapes—offering a sunny alternative to places like the Canary Islands.

A unique travel destination

Located about 570 kilometers off the coast of Senegal, Cape Verde consists of 15 islands—each offering a distinct experience. From volcanic peaks and rugged mountains to pristine beaches and vibrant cultural scenes, the islands provide a rich mix for nature lovers, sunseekers, and culture enthusiasts alike.

The destination is especially appealing to couples and independent travelers seeking authenticity and tranquility far from mass tourism. Whether you're into hiking, surfing, or simply soaking up the local flair, Cape Verde delivers.

Stephan Kurmann of Dertour Suisse attributes the rising interest to a broader trend: travelers are increasingly drawn to lesser-known, less-developed destinations. The trend is expected to strengthen further with Edelweiss’ expansion into two new islands starting winter 2025/2026.

Island hopping made easy

Andreas Meier, spokesperson for Edelweiss, confirms strong demand for flights to the previously underserved airports of São Vicente and Santiago (Praia).

Therefore, the decision was made to integrate São Vicente and Praia into the route network, in addition to the destinations already in the portfolio, Boa Vista and Sal ( Travelnews reported). Despite the location in the Atlantic, with a flight time of approximately six and a half hours, a long-haul flight is not necessary.

«We expect island hopping in Cape Verde to become significantly more popular thanks to flights,» says Meier. The new destinations make exciting island combinations possible: São Vicente and the neighboring island of Santo Antão are considered a hiking and nature paradise, while Praia on Santiago offers a particularly rich cultural and historical experience. You can round off your stay with a beach holiday on the island of Sal, for example.

According to TUI, the expansion of the hotel offering also includes the opening of a new Robinson resort on Boa Vista with a «for all» concept in winter 2026/2027. The portfolio of the Dertour brands Kuoni and Helvetic Tours will also be gradually expanded with a view to the coming winter 2025/2026. Thus, nothing stands in the way of the new trend destination Cape Verde.