Mindelo

Mindelo is the cultural centre of Cape Verde. Porto Grande sits inside a bay formed by a submerged volcanic crater, and the town centre is about a 15-minute walk from the dock. Pastel-coloured colonial buildings line cobbled streets, and the smell of grilled seafood carries on the Atlantic breeze. The city has a strong musical tradition: Cesária Évora grew up here, and live morna and coladeira fill the bars at night. The fish market near the waterfront is the most direct way into local life. Fresh tuna, wahoo, and lobster are grilled on the spot or served as catchupa, the national stew of corn, beans, and fish. The old Customs House has been turned into a cultural centre, and the Torre de Belém replica on the waterfront is a leftover from the Portuguese colonial period. Taxis and minibuses are cheap, and the town is small enough to walk. Cape Verdean escudo is the currency, though euros are sometimes accepted.