Sal

Sal is Cape Verde's flattest and most visited island, defined by long sandy beaches, clear Atlantic water and near-constant sunshine. Amílcar Cabral International Airport makes it the archipelago's main international gateway, so most visitors arrive here before exploring other islands.

Sal takes its name from salt, and the Pedra de Lume salt flats inside an extinct volcanic crater still show the island's former economic heart; visitors can float in the dense, mineral-rich brine. Small settlements, dry volcanic plains and abandoned salt infrastructure give the interior a quiet, distinctive character.

Santa Maria, on the southern coast, is the main resort town, with hotels, beachfront restaurants, bars, a fishing pier and the broad Santa Maria Beach. Espargos, near the airport, is the administrative centre with everyday shops and local life, while Palmeira remains a small working port. Natural draws include Buracona's Blue Eye, Ponta Preta's surf break, Kite Beach, Murdeira Bay and beaches where loggerhead turtles nest between June and October.

Water sports set Sal apart: kiteboarding, windsurfing, surfing, diving and boat trips draw active travellers, and international wind and water sports events bring a busy seasonal calendar. Evenings centre on Santa Maria's restaurants and live-music venues, with fresh seafood, grilled fish and Cape Verdean dishes alongside international menus.

For travellers, Sal is both a relaxing beach destination and a practical base. Its airport connections, growing hotel stock and compact size make it easy to combine resort stays, day trips and onward travel to Boa Vista, Santiago or São Vicente.