São Nicolau is one of the least known of the Cape Verde islands, and on first glance may appear barren and desolate. However, head inland and you’ll discover a lush interior of verdant valleys and soaring peaks, with some great mountain hikes on offer. The island’s quaint little capital, Ribeira Brava, is also well worth a visit.

The dry and barren volcanic island of São Vicente is home to Cape Verde’s most appealing port, the charming city of Mindelo. The cobbled streets and colonial architecture are a real pleasure to explore, and the city plays host to a raucous carnival in February.

The windswept dunes of Boa Vista are a little piece of the Sahara, blown westwards from the African mainland. The island’s stunning beaches provide nesting sites for loggerhead turtles, while the main town, Sal Rei, is characterised by charming cobbled streets and colonial architecture.

Praia is the capital of Cape Verde, set on the south coast of Santiago island. Highlights include a scattering of attractive Portuguese colonial architecture around the Praca Alexandre Albuquerque, while the lively fruit and vegetable market will give you a taste of local life at street level.

The island of Fogo is a remarkable sight, a towering and still active volcano where several hundred hardy (or perhaps foolhardy) souls still insist on living inside the crater. The otherworldy volcanic landscape is extremely fertile, and we recommend trying the excellent wine produced here.