Experience the best of Praia

Praia is the capital of Cape Verde, a country of volcanic islands off West Africa, and lies on the south coast of Santiago, the largest island. The old city sits on the Plateau, a flat-topped headland with pastel colonial buildings, a central square with a church, and the presidential palace. Below it, the market sells fish, fruit, spices and cloth, and beaches stretch along the bay.

A short drive west, Cidade Velha, the first European colonial town in the tropics, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a fort above it, a pillory and a ruined cathedral. In the interior, Assomada's market and the mountain forest of Serra Malagueta offer a green change from the dry coast, and Tarrafal, on the north coast, has a long, sheltered beach.

Cachupa, a slow stew of corn, beans and meat or fish, is the national dish, and grilled fish, goat cheese and grogue, a spirit distilled from sugar cane, are common. Santiago is the heartland of batuko drumming and funaná accordion music, and both fill the bars after dark. Rain falls mainly from August to October; the rest of the year is dry and warm.