Things to do in Santa Maria this weekend
A locals-first shortlist of what's worth your time in Santa Maria this weekend — from outdoor escapes to standout food and live music.
Top spots in Santa Maria
Shark Bay (Baía dos Tubarões)
FamilyPalmeira Road
Wade knee-deep with juvenile lemon sharks in the shallow nursery lagoon.
Kite Beach
OutdoorsNorth Santa Maria
World-class flat-water kitesurfing — Mitu Monteiro's home break, lessons on the sand.
Buracona Blue Eye
OutdoorsNorthwest Coast
Sunlit cave pool that glows electric blue at midday — go between 11am and 1pm.
Pedra de Lume Salt Crater
OutdoorsPedra de Lume
Float Dead-Sea-style inside a collapsed volcano filled with pink salt water.
Pirata Bar & Café Criola
NightlifeRua 1 de Junho
Live morna and coladeira nightly — order a grogue ponche and watch locals dance.
Where to eat
Beach Club Restaurant
$$$Cape Verdean Fusion · Hilton Beach
Loungers and a fine-dining grill — lobster thermidor, caipirinhas, live morna trio.
Cretcheu Mar
$$Seafood · Beachfront
Sand-floor terrace — grilled wahoo with cachupa, sunset over the pier.
Funaná Restaurant
$$Cape Verdean · Rua das Salinas
Authentic cachupa rica, fried moray eel and grogue tastings under string lights.
Nha Terra
$Local / Tapas · Centre
Tiny family-run — black pudding morcela, fresh tuna steak, the owner sings between courses.
Tam Tam
$$Italian / Pizza · Town Square
Wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas — expat owner, garden seating, dog-friendly.
Live & on stage
Carnaval de Mindelo (day trip)
São Vicente · Feb 17 · Carnival
Cesária Évora Tribute Nights
Café Criola · Weekly Fridays · Morna / Live
Sal Music Week
Multiple · Apr 10–14 · Funaná / Batuko
Santa Maria Music Festival
Beach Stage · Sep 12–14 · Cape Verdean / Free
Frequently asked
- Locals' favourites right now: Santa Maria Beach & Pier, Pedra de Lume Salt Crater, Shark Bay (Baía dos Tubarões). The full list is curated weekly and balances outdoor, food, culture and live music picks.