Esperança

Esperança, Portuguese for „hope“, is a young settlement in southern Príncipe's hinterland, founded only in the late 1980s as a resettlement village for smallholder families from the island's declining roças. On a gently undulating, sun-drenched plateau, papayas, mangos, avocados, bananas and sweet corn thrive in an abundance enabled by volcanic soil. The project was tied from the start to educational initiatives: children learn at the village school how mixed cultures, composting and targeted planting of native trees slow erosion. Out of this has grown a committed youth movement focused on environmental education, reforestation and plastic-free living. The small community center also teaches traditional São Toméan weaving from banana fibers and palm leaves, fine mats, basketry and hats sold as handicrafts in Príncipe's hotels. Esperança thus stands as an example of how a sustainable new beginning can look.

Nearby cities

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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.

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Esperança (Valley)

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

Abade

Abade is a fishing village on the northeast coast of Príncipe where the Atlantic rolls ashore with a rare gentleness.

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 (Upper Village)

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

Abade (North)

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

Santo António

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

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.

São Joaquim (Forest Edge)

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

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.

Picão

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

Picão (Hills)

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

Belo Monte

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

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.

Sundy

Sundy is a place of science and stars nestled in the gentle plains of northern Príncipe.

History & landmarks

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.

Port of Santo António

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

Regional Government Palace

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

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary

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

Ponta da Mina Lighthouse

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

Roça Infante D. Henrique

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

Pico Bastião

Pico Bastião is a distinctive geological formation on Príncipe Island.

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.

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.

Pico Papagaio

Pico Papagaio, also called Parrot Mountain, is a prominent, cone-shaped elevation on Príncipe that rises like a green pyramid from the fo…