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Plateau to Beach and Everything In-Between: Travel to Spirited Praia

Lively and vibrant, Cape Verde’s capital is where Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean unite. Perched on its plateau with outstanding views of the local bay, Praia is your southern gateway to scintillating Santiago and the other Cape Verde islands lying just off the West African coast. Sprawling marketplaces, exquisite beaches, adrenaline-packed wind- and watersports and oh so much more await you. Book your flight to Praia on Royal Air Maroc today, and let the beach life call you home.

Exciting Attractions in Praia

Praia offers a laid-back, friendly vibrancy and can easily be explored on foot, especially the pedestrianised Plateau.

• Stroll the Plateau

The ‘Fifth of July’ Avenue, Rue 5 de Julho, offers a soothing stroll down a charming street lined with small trees. It lies at the heart of the Plateau, Praia’s historical core, where you can drink in the bright, bold buildings, many showcasing colonial architectural influences, and people watch to your heart’s content.

• A Famous Sign, Reinvented

While you’re exploring the Plateau, don’t forget to drop down at the southern end to enjoy the Rock of Praia – the local answer to the Hollywood sign. There are also some beautiful views of the water to enjoy from here.

• Exciting Praia Sights

Farol de Dona Maria Pia, Praia’s loyal lighthouse, has been guarding the island of Santiago since 1881. Enhance your experience thanks to the insider knowledge of the current lighthouse keeper, whose family has been caring for the lighthouse for generations. The Presidential Palace is still an active seat of government, but visitors are welcome to bask in its neoclassical Portuguese architecture and can tour some parts of the building. Watch out for the bronze statue of Diogo Gomes, the Portuguese navigator.

Praia’s Intriguing Museums

No trip to Praia is complete without exploring the intriguing Museu Etnográfico da Praia. Packed with a wealth of artefacts showcasing Cabo Verdean culture, the majority of the collection was donated by locals, giving it an intimate, personal touch. Sala-Museu Amilcar Cabral, founded to preserve the memory of freedom fighter, Amilcar Cabral, offers an intriguing glimpse into the area’s more recent past and has an amazing photograph collection to browse.

Palácio da Cultura Ildo Lobo is a working cultural centre with a truly beautiful, free art gallery which is open to everyone. Inside you’ll find an exquisite collection, all sourced from talented local artists – it’s a hidden secret of Praia everyone should embrace. If you love street art, there’s a rising scene in Praia and you can find many bold pieces as you explore the town.

Núcleo Museológico da Praia, sometimes called the ‘archaeological’ or ‘shipwreck’ museum, is tucked away on Av. Cidade de Lisboa. Containing a captivating collection of artefacts recovered from historic shipwrecks (including cannons), it offers a glimpse into Cape Verde’s busy past and the pirates that used to plague the islands.

Enjoy the Outdoors like a Native of Praia

Praça Alexandre Albuquerque, where Rue 5 de Julho ends, is technically a local square, but what you will discover at its heart is a gorgeously sculpted green space with a tinkling fountain and some statues to add cheerful intrigue. It’s also lined with historic buildings that offer the perfect photo opportunity. You’ll be serenaded by the stirring rhythms of local music as you explore this little oasis.

Relax and play in the surf and sun at Quebra Canela Beach, a fantastically maintained beach right in Praia itself. If you want the perfect place to try some beach exercise (and burn off the delicious local cuisine), this is the spot for you. Here you’ll also find snorkelling, kayaking and windsurfing to challenge yourself and get your adrenaline pumping. It’s right alongside one of the most picturesque parts of Praia’s historic district for added appeal.

Where to Shop in Praia

Sucupira Market unfolds with warm earth paths and jolly tents beckoning you to explore the many offerings here. It’s a little bit of a labyrinth, but that’s half the charm. Let the soft vowels of Creole (commonplace in the market) roll around you as you explore. You’ll find carvings, local art, and traditional treats to enjoy – and even musical instruments made using authentic, cultural methods. If you’re looking for a bite of local cuisine, this is the place. Try the slow-cooked cachupa stew, or the succulent charcoal-grilled seafood, fresh-caught that morning.

Praia Shopping offers a modern shopping experience, but there are also plenty of traditional shops tucked inside if you’re still hunting for the perfect souvenir. Watch out for the pottery that Cape Verde is famous for. If you’re keen to take a day trip to Assomada, there’s a massive African-style market waiting for you to find something amazing.

Exploring Praia with Children

Prainha Beach is the perfect spot to swim with the whole family, with easy entry to the warm water that’s safe for everyone. When the little ones are tucked up in bed later on, this is also a great place to start exploring the local nightlife, too, with energetic bars and restaurants on the resort side.

The perfect day trip for families, Cidade Velha, the old capital of Santiago, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the ruins of Forte Real de São Filipe, once the first line of defence against corsairs and pirates. This is also home to the oldest paved road on the island. The towering white marble Pelourinho is also Praia’s oldest, and most sobering, monument.

Travel to Praia with Royal Air Maroc: Your African Connection to the World

Book your ticket to Praia with Royal Air Maroc, and let their young and efficient fleet and dedicated staff help shape a holiday experience you will remember forever. Avail yourself of the wide range of free onboard amenities offered to long-haul customers, including the Kid Kits to help your youngest family members enjoy their time in flight. With a delectable onboard meal to look forward to and an exciting catalogue of in-flight entertainment, the flight to Praia will whizz past.

Find your flight deal to Praia today, and let the pulsing soul of this West African hub wash your cares away.