Ponta do Sol
A small town at the northern tip of Santo Antao, with a disused airstrip and a cobbled colonial centre.
Updated 12 October 2026
Ponta do Sol sits at the northern point of Santo Antão, a compact town of cobbled streets and painted colonial buildings around a square, with the sea breaking hard on the rocks below and a disused airstrip laid out on the flat ground beside it, closed because the wind made landings too dangerous. It is the end of the road on this coast and the start of the coastal footpath west towards Fontainhas.
What you'll find
- The cobbled centre - painted colonial buildings around the main square.
- The disused airstrip - the runway closed because of the wind.
- The rocky shore - the sea breaking below the town.
- The coastal path - the walking route west towards Fontainhas.
When to go
November to June is the dry season. The town is cooler and windier than the valleys inland. Ferries to Santo Antão can be rough.
Good to know
There is no beach and swimming is dangerous on this coast. Getting to Santo Antão means a ferry from Mindelo that is often rough. Facilities are modest.
Nearby
Fontainhas is west, and Ribeira Grande is south.
What to pack for Ponta do Sol
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
