São Nicolau Holiday rentals & places to stay in Cape Verde
Barlavento · 16 stays on São Nicolau.
Browse all stays on São NicolauSão Nicolau at a glance
São Nicolau is Cape Verde's quiet beauty – an island for those seeking the archipelago as it used to be. Between the mountain town of Ribeira Brava with its narrow lanes and the fishing village of Tarrafal with its black sand beach lie dramatic ridges, fertile valleys and the national park around Monte Gordo (1,312 m). Accommodation on São Nicolau means few tourists, plenty of nature and genuine Cape Verdean hospitality.
Hikers find trails through dragon tree groves and terraced valleys like the Fajã, anglers share the archipelago's richest fishing grounds with locals, and in Tarrafal the dark, mineral-rich sand provides natural wellness. Strolling across Ribeira Brava's praça in the evening feels like island life decades ago. Find your holiday rental on São Nicolau here and enquire directly with the host.
Stays on the island
View all
Stays by amenity
Popular features – straight to matching holiday stays.
Restaurants on São Nicolau
View all 11Local secrets on São Nicolau
Insider recommendations we curate – off the beaten track.
Attractions on São Nicolau
Climate & best time to visit
Green and mountainous – great for hiking, cooler at altitude. Noticeably cooler in the mountains than on the coast.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air °C | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 28 | 26 |
| Water °C | 23 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 24 |
| Rain | dry | dry | dry | dry | dry | dry | low | some | humid | some | low | dry |
| Wind | strong | strong | strong | moderate | moderate | moderate | moderate | moderate | light | moderate | moderate | strong |
Guide values for the coast; figures can vary from year to year.