Plizio Visual Lab
A traditional rich stew made with fish or meat and local herbs; often needs to be ordered in advance at local guesthouses.
Ask for freshly grilled fish directly at small seaside establishments in nearby fishing villages.
A simple, sweet and savory side dish perfectly paired with spicy local meals, available at most small eateries.
Look for locally produced chocolate or raw cacao beans when passing through nearby plantations.
Sometimes you can find local artisans selling small, hand-carved wooden souvenirs depicting marine life.
Walk up to the town's plateau area for an incredibly peaceful, uninterrupted view over the northern Atlantic waves.
A short drive away, this pristine, tranquil beach is first-rate for solitary walks and swimming.
Water temperature…
Fernão Dias sits on a prominent plateau above the north coast of São Tomé in the Lobata district and is named after a 15th-century Portuguese navigator. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the town was the most important loading port for cocoa beans from the great northern roças such as Rio do Ouro (now Agostinho Neto) and Boa Entrada. Narrow-gauge field railways carried the sacks from the interior to the steep coast, from where cable-aerial systems lowered them onto waiting freighters. Today, crumbling warehouses, a deserted jetty and the ruins of a small lighthouse bear witness to this glorious past. Fernão Dias also provides one of the island's most spectacular sunset viewpoints: since the coast faces west here, the setting sun bathes the Atlantic in deep orange and red. Nearby, a modern deep-water port has been built, reinterpreting the town's old role as a maritime gateway and once again making Fernão Dias a strategic northern hub.
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 |
| Rain mm | 125 | 115 | 162 | 176 | 129 | 44 | 23 | 19 | 35 | 100 | 142 | 130 |
Notable places around
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Praia do Governadoro shapes the coastal image of Fernão Dias and invites you to spend relaxing hours by the Atlantic Ocean. The often unexciting beach environment provides the necessary peace to enjoy the tropical sun of São Tomé and Príncipe. An excursion to this shore is good for long beach walks. Especially at low tide, beautiful nature observations can be made here.
