Isabel’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Murdeira is located midway along the island's major highway linking the island capital Espargos (where the airport is located) and the touristy southern town of Santa Maria.
In Murdeira you will find a couple of small beaches along the coast, either to the right or the left of the house. This is a great area for long walks, fishing and snorkelling as Murdeira Bay, a nature reserve, is known for its rich underwater sealife and a small coral reef.
Across the bay and directly in front of our house, you will see a small mountain the locals call “Monte Leão” (mount lion).
In the Murdeira Complex there is a restaurant, a snack-bar, a salt water pool for adults and children (all located in the front, by the entrance) and a small supermarket 2 minutes away (when leaving the house, go right, then right again and it’s on the left).
Murdeira
Murdeira is located midway along the island's major highway linking the island capital Espargos (where the airport is located) and the touristy southern town of Santa Maria.
In Murdeira you will find a couple of small beaches along the coast, either to the right or the left of the house. This is a great area for long walks, fishing and snorkelling as Murdeira Bay, a nature reserve, is known for its rich underwater sealife and a small coral reef.
Across the bay and directly in front of our house, you will see a small mountain the locals call “Monte Leão” (mount lion).
In the Murdeira Complex there is a restaurant, a snack-bar, a salt water pool for adults and children (all located in the front, by the entrance) and a small supermarket 2 minutes away (when leaving the house, go right, then right again and it’s on the left).
Another attraction worth a visit in Sal would be the salt mines in the northeast of the island in Pedra de Lume, just before Espargos. The salt mines are located in an inactive volcano, which makes them very special. You can swim (float) in the salt lakes and it is quite an experience, similar to the Dead Sea.
37 lokale inwoners raden aan
Pedra Lume
Another attraction worth a visit in Sal would be the salt mines in the northeast of the island in Pedra de Lume, just before Espargos. The salt mines are located in an inactive volcano, which makes them very special. You can swim (float) in the salt lakes and it is quite an experience, similar to the Dead Sea.
Further north another place worth a visit is Buracona (you’ll need a 4x4 to get there or go on a tour). It has a natural swimming pool and a hole in the rocks whose water at the bottom turns into a beautiful blue around 12.00 when the sun is at the top. On the way to Buracona you will probably go past “Terra Boa” (good land), the only area on the island used for agriculture.
33 lokale inwoners raden aan
Buracona
Further north another place worth a visit is Buracona (you’ll need a 4x4 to get there or go on a tour). It has a natural swimming pool and a hole in the rocks whose water at the bottom turns into a beautiful blue around 12.00 when the sun is at the top. On the way to Buracona you will probably go past “Terra Boa” (good land), the only area on the island used for agriculture.
If you like wandering around a local town, Espargos is more traditional than Santa Maria. This is where most of the locals live. There are no monuments or places of interest but it is great to walk around and watch Cape-Verdeans in their daily errands (walk around the main square, go past the church and visit the local market) or just sit in “Bom Dia” and have a traditional “Catchupa Guisada” (reheated local beans with sausage and egg) and see the world going by.
18 lokale inwoners raden aan
Espargos
If you like wandering around a local town, Espargos is more traditional than Santa Maria. This is where most of the locals live. There are no monuments or places of interest but it is great to walk around and watch Cape-Verdeans in their daily errands (walk around the main square, go past the church and visit the local market) or just sit in “Bom Dia” and have a traditional “Catchupa Guisada” (reheated local beans with sausage and egg) and see the world going by.
Touristy area
Sal is a small island whose main attraction is the beach in Santa Maria. It is quite a beautiful beach, located in a bay, which allows you a fantastic view from one end to the other. The water has an amazing green/ blue colour and it’s great for swimming, snorkelling, diving and many other water sports. There is also a pier which the fishermen use to bring the fish up from the boats.
Santa Maria is populated with hotels, restaurants and bars, but still has a very African feel, not having lost its character like many other tourist destinations in the world. It’s small, easy and safe to walk around. Not only for the food, but particularly for the views, we would recommend the restaurant in hotel Odjo D’Agua (lunch and dinner) and the Beach restaurant of the Morabeza hotel (lunchtime). Another very good restaurant is Sabores&Livros, next to Porto Antigo. And nearby for breakfast or lunch, we would suggest “Cape Fruit”.
34 lokale inwoners raden aan
Santa Maria
Sal is a small island whose main attraction is the beach in Santa Maria. It is quite a beautiful beach, located in a bay, which allows you a fantastic view from one end to the other. The water has an amazing green/ blue colour and it’s great for swimming, snorkelling, diving and many other water sports. There is also a pier which the fishermen use to bring the fish up from the boats.
Santa Maria is populated with hotels, restaurants and bars, but still has a very African feel, not having lost its character like many other tourist destinations in the world. It’s small, easy and safe to walk around. Not only for the food, but particularly for the views, we would recommend the restaurant in hotel Odjo D’Agua (lunch and dinner) and the Beach restaurant of the Morabeza hotel (lunchtime). Another very good restaurant is Sabores&Livros, next to Porto Antigo. And nearby for breakfast or lunch, we would suggest “Cape Fruit”.