Sal: Salt History and Island Nature

Sal is a volcanic island with flat terrain and a warm, tropical dry climate. White-sand beaches, warm, clear water and coral reefs shape its landscape; water conditions can vary by location and season. The island’s history is also connected to its natural environment: the salt industry flourished on Sal from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. Today, tourism is Sal’s almost exclusive focus. The coastline, salt history and tourism-oriented character offer different starting points for a trip.

Getting your bearings across the island

Sal has four population centres, while tourist attractions are spread across the island. Sal has an international airport with connections to the island’s main visitor markets. Since flight connections can change, it’s worth checking current routes once your travel plans take shape.

Salt history and culture in Santa Maria

The Museu do Sal is located in Santa Maria, in the municipality of Sal, in a building dating from before the 20th century. It formerly housed government offices, including the former customs office and post office. The museum features a permanent exhibition on the island’s identity. Its themes include water and the salt, aviation and hotel industries. Ethnographic objects illustrate encounters between people and cultures from other islands in the archipelago.

The Museu do Sal is also dedicated to researching, collecting, documenting, cataloguing and preserving cultural heritage with historical and cultural ties to Sal. The museum thus brings two perspectives together: the building’s former use for government offices and an exploration of the island’s history and identity.

Caves, light and salt flats

Regona consists of extensive caves with a direct connection to the open sea. They are home to marine life, including large fish and crustaceans that can be seen there. Buracona, by contrast, is an underwater tunnel that leads inland. At a large opening, sunlight creates unusual lighting effects. Regona is therefore known for its caves and visible marine life, while Buracona is notable for its tunnel and the light shining in.

North of the centre of Santa Maria lie the Salinas de Santa Maria, which are entirely surrounded by the Costa da Fragata nature reserve. Migratory birds occur there, including Himantopus himantopus, Ardea senerea and Tringa nebularia. The salt flats thus bring together a specific location on the island, a connection to a protected area and birdlife.

Festivals and literary exchange

Several religious festivals are celebrated in Santa Maria throughout the year. These include the festival of Nossa Senhora da Fátima on 13 May. Another date in the festival calendar is the two-day music festival on Santa Maria beach: it is the highlight of the festivities in the municipality of Sal and is celebrated annually on 15 September. It’s a good idea to check the specific event dates when planning your trip.

The Festival da Literatura-Mundo do Sal was conceived to bring together authors, researchers, translators and literature professionals. Its approach puts literary exchange at the forefront. Sal’s cultural offerings thus include both recurring festivals and a festival with an explicitly literary focus.

Discover more destinations: Sal, Tarrafal, Maio, Sao Miguel, Brava, Paul, Ribeira Grande, Sao Domingos.

View the broader travel guide: Cape Verde.