Madeira has a milder climate, which is great for lush green nature. Madeira is not recommended for a beach vacation, but you can still take a swim in the sea. For stunning wide beaches, Cape Verde is the place to be!
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Travelers who love a lot of bars, shops and commerce will like it best on the Canary Islands. For nature lovers, no mass tourism and relaxed culture, Cape Verde is a must. Both on Cape Verde and the Canary Islands there are major differences between the islands themselves.
Cape Verde is famous for its warm tropical climate, volcanic islands, wonderful musicians, and delicious cuisine. Americans may not have heard much about Cape Verde, but Europeans are much more familiar with the islands as a winter escape.
If you prefer nature, greenery, an off-the-beaten-path adventure and don't mind rain or cooler temperatures, pick the Azores. If you'd prefer sunshine, golden sands, luxury amenities and a quirky cable car/toboggan experience, consider Madeira, including the beachy island of Porto Santo.
The average standard of living tends to be a bit lower than in mainland Portugal, and the local autonomous government gives generous subsidies coming from the tourist industry revenues and from the Portuguese national budget. Go where the locals go and everything will be cheap.
In fact, Madeira was just voted Europe's “Leading Island Destination” in the World Travel Awards again (the sixth time in the last seven years). Less than four hours from London and with almost guaranteed sunshine, Madeira is an ideal winter break, or for that matter, anytime destination.
Praia da LaginhaThis picturesque little beach is home to some of the best beach swimming in Cape Verde; the calm, tranquil nature of the sea makes it easy to swim in for even the most precautious of swimmers. Nonetheless, the beach is manned by lifeguards to ensure visitors have complete peace of mind while swimming.
Cape Verde is arguably one of the world's most underrated destinations being full of pure, untouched beauty. It is full of stunning tropical beaches, with Santa Monica Beach on Boa Vista Island considered the most stunning beach in the country 18 kilometers (11 miles) long.
Cape Verde is considered, by many, as an alternative to the Caribbean and offers the same stunning powdery white sand beaches but for cheaper, with shorter flight time (six hours from the UK) and no jet lag as there's only an hour's time difference.
Cape Verde is arguably one of the world's most underrated destinations being full of pure, untouched beauty. It is full of stunning tropical beaches, with Santa Monica Beach on Boa Vista Island considered the most stunning beach in the country 18 kilometers (11 miles) long.
Cape Verde is a relatively cheap holiday destination where you get a lot for your money. Definitely on the islands where a limited number of tourists are coming. The average price level in Cape Verde is for example significantly higher than in West-Europe.
Enjoy your parties in Cabo VerdeCape Verde is definitely the destination for you. Especially in the islands of Sal, São Vicente and Santiago, and partly also in Boavista, you will find many places for enjoy of Cape Verde nightlife, dance and listen to live music.
The best time to visit Cape Verde is between November and June, during the dry season when the weather is warm and sunny. Cape Verde has a very dry tropical climate with low rainfall and lots of sunshine year round.
Both islands are very much the same, however I would say Boa Vista a lot less developed. I first visited Sal in 2007 and again in 2016 and it hasn't changed and I'd say will be the same story with both islands in another 10 years. We did island tours on both islands and much more enjoyed Sal on the whole.
Madeira is boasting some of the most accessible biodiversity. It is known for its lush forests, gardens, and parks, which give the island a tropical feel. As a result of the mild temperatures here all year long, a range of exotic plants and herbs can be found in the gardens.