With its golden dunes and endless beaches, Boa Vista enchants visitors with its natural beauty, vibrant Creole culture and distinctive craftsmanship. In its markets and local shops, travellers can find everything from batik fabrics and shell jewellery to traditional ceramics and products made from Cape Verde’s prized goat’s cheese. You can also take home the rhythms of funaná and morna with vinyl records or musical instruments like the cimboa. Exploring its markets means discovering the island’s essence in every item, a reflection of Cape Verde’s African and European heritage.
- Where to shop in Boa Vista: markets and shops with island soul
- Traditional gifts from Boa Vista: a piece of Cape Verde in your suitcase
- Markets and local trade: shopping like a local
Where to shop in Boa Vista: markets and shops with island soul
For the best souvenirs and authentic Boa Vista products, a visit to Sal Rei’s Municipal Market is a must. Here, fruit and vegetable stalls sit alongside small artisan shops selling woven palm-leaf baskets, traditional musical instruments and brightly coloured textiles. Nearby, the Handicrafts Market by the central square offers hand-carved wooden figurines, necklaces made with local seeds and ceramics with African-inspired patterns.
The souvenir shops along Avenida dos Pescadores have a more upmarket selection, including paintings by local artists and cotton clothing embroidered with traditional patterns. For gourmet products, Sal Rei is the perfect place to buy Fogo coffee, Santo Antão honey or grogue, Cape Verde’s signature drink. Other notable stops include Art de Mar and Tesouro Do Mar, where you’ll find handmade ceramics, sculptures and woven baskets.
Traditional gifts from Boa Vista: a piece of Cape Verde in your suitcase
One of the most cherished souvenirs from Boa Vista is batik fabric, a vibrant blend of African patterns and colours that reflects the island’s cultural fusion. Another popular choice is panos di terra, handwoven fabrics once used as currency, now a proud symbol of Cape Verdean heritage. In the town of Rabil, known for its pottery tradition, you can buy handcrafted ceramic pieces, from jugs and plates to decorative figurines inspired by the island’s wildlife.
Food lovers will enjoy the island’s artisanal goat’s cheese, particularly the cured variety infused with local herbs. Homemade coconut and papaya sweets, available in small family-run shops, are a delicious treat and easy to take with you.
Music is also an essential part of Boa Vista’s identity. In shops like Musica D’Cabo Verde, you can find records by Cesária Évora and other local artists, as well as instruments like the cimboa or cavaquinho, which accompany the island’s traditional melodies.
Markets and local trade: shopping like a local
At the heart of local life, Boa Vista’s markets offer a genuinely authentic shopping experience. The Sal Rei Municipal Market is not only the best place to buy exotic fruits like guava and breadfruit, but is also a great spot to meet local traders and learn more about Cape Verdean culture. Nearby, women vendors can often be seen making bracelets and necklaces from recycled glass beads on the spot.
A must visit is the weekend craft fair by the harbour, offering wicker baskets, baobab wood carvings and hand-carved fishing boats—a souvenir that reflects Boa Vista’s deep connection to the sea. You’ll also find fashion inspired by Cape Verde’s vibrant colours, blending modern and traditional styles. Sal Rei is also home to small art galleries where you can buy paintings that depict island life with expressive strokes and warm tones.
