The small harbour
Coloured boats and a breakwater.
Hanay — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Zinneke — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Yves PICQ — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Franzfoto — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Franzfoto — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Franzfoto — CC BY-SA 3.0
Ponta do Sol is the northernmost town in Cape Verde, on the coast of Santo Antão. It is a quiet place of coloured houses and a small harbour, surrounded by huge dark cliffs pounded by the ocean, and a good base for walking the coastal path, or for anyone after the island's calm. It takes its name from the nearby headland, the country's northernmost point. It was once called Vila Dona Maria Pia, after the queen of Portugal from 1862 to 1889. Urban growth began in the 1880s, and before that it was a small fishing village. The Church of Nossa Senhora do Livramento was built in 1894, and the town has an old Jewish cemetery. In the harbour, coloured wooden boats line the quay behind a stone breakwater. From the streets you see the yellow town hall with its columns, with sharp brown mountains behind the houses. From the edge of town a coastal path climbs the rocks above the sea, revealing small villages and white waves point after point. The town is 3.4 km in a straight line north-west of Ribeira Grande and 20 km north of Porto Novo. The path is narrow and partly without rails, so wear strong shoes and do not walk in high wind. Waves are very dangerous, so do not swim in open sea or go near the lower rocks. Ask about transport times and dress modestly.
Coloured boats and a breakwater.
Rocks above the sea.
A yellow front with columns.
North coast of Santo Antão island
It is narrow and exposed in parts, so it suits those fine with heights.
The sea is strong here, so do not swim without asking locally.