Abade

Abade is a small fishing village on the northeastern coast of Príncipe Island, set among a string of sheltered coves between volcanic cliffs. The name refers to a historic abbot („abade“) of the Catholic mission who founded a small parish here in the 18th century. Today some 300 people live from fishing with traditional pirogues, supplemented by subsistence farming of cassava, breadfruit and yam. Abade supplies the Santo António fish market in the early morning hours, with families still working in the traditional djunta-mon system, mutual, unpaid help, to haul nets, repair boats and share the catch. The sheltered Praia Abade and Praia Banana coves are also excellent for swimming and snorkeling, with crystal-clear water, colorful fish, corals and occasional encounters with hawksbill turtles. Gentle trails follow the cliffs to viewpoints overlooking the offshore islets.

Nearby cities

🗺️

Nova Estrela

Nova Estrela sits like a sparkling jewel on the cliffs of Príncipe's east coast, a place of new hope and wide horizons.

🗺️

Esperança (Valley)

The Esperança valley is an oasis of tranquility and fertility where life proceeds at a leisurely pace.

Abade (North)

The northern part of Abade is a place of wide horizons and maritime freedom where the gaze wanders boundlessly over the Atlantic.

Paciência

Paciência lies on the edge of Príncipe's rainforests, a place where the name says it all and nature's tranquility heals the soul.

Paciência (Coast)

The coastal part of Paciência is a place of gentle bays and rhythmic sea sounds where time seems to stand still on the golden beaches.

Esperança

Esperança bears the name of hope and is a shining example of the joy of life in the interior of Príncipe.

Paciência (Upper Village)

The upper village of Paciência lies at the foot of Príncipe's steep mountains, a place of cool mornings and deep silence.

Santo António

Santo António, the charming capital of Príncipe Island, is a town gently nestled on the banks of the Palhota River.

São Joaquim (Forest Edge)

The forest edge of São Joaquim is a place of transition where civilization shakes hands with the dense Obô jungle.

Belo Monte

Belo Monte perches on a headland in northeastern Príncipe, offering arguably the most breathtaking view of the entire archipelago.

Picão (Hills)

The Picão hills are an oasis of green where clouds often gently brush the canopy of the forest giants.

Picão

Picão is a place of colors and dense green hidden in the mountainous hinterland of Príncipe.

Belo Monte (Coast)

The coastal part of Belo Monte is a place of dramatic cliffs and azure sea where the Atlantic reveals its full primal force.

São Joaquim

São Joaquim is a historic hamlet in the heart of Príncipe where ruins of an old Roça tell of the power of time.

Belo Monte (Hinterland)

This part of Belo Monte leads deeper into the untamed interior of Príncipe where the forest giants darken the sky.

History & landmarks

Port of Santo António

The small but vital Port of Santo António is the logistical backbone of Príncipe Island.

Ponta da Mina Lighthouse

The Ponta da Mina Lighthouse is located at the eastern tip of the Santo António Bay on Príncipe.

Regional Government Palace

The Regional Government Palace in Santo António is the administrative center of the autonomous region of Príncipe.

Santo António Market

The Santo António Market on Príncipe Island is a colorful meeting place where local products from the rainforest and the sea are offered.

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary is the religious landmark of Santo António on Príncipe.

Eddington Monument

The Eddington Monument at Roça Sundy commemorates the 1919 scientific expedition during which Sir Arthur Eddington proved Einstein's theo…

More places

Pico Bastião

Pico Bastião is a distinctive geological formation on Príncipe Island.

Roça Infante D. Henrique

This plantation on Príncipe, named after the famous Portuguese prince, stands out for its well-preserved administrative buildings.

Príncipe Children's Leisure Center

The children's leisure center in Santo António is the hub for play and education for the children on Príncipe Island.

Logistics Port of Santo António

The logistics port of Santo António is Príncipe Island's only maritime link to the outside world.

Fort of Santo António da Ponta da Mina

This fort was built in the 17th century to protect the bay of Santo António on Príncipe from maritime attacks.

Príncipe Parrot Sanctuary

Deep within the protected biosphere reserve of Príncipe lies a special conservation area for the endemic Príncipe parrot.

Príncipe Rainforest

The Príncipe rainforest is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and is considered one of Africa's best-preserved ecosystems.

Roça Porto Real

Located on Príncipe Island, Porto Real was one of the most powerful plantations in the archipelago.