• Destination overview

    São Tomé e Príncipe

True tranquility

The second smallest country in Africa

The two islands of São Tomé e Príncipe make up Africa’s second smallest country, and your truly unique tourism destination on the African Equator. The capital São Tomé City (TMS) can easily be reached with direct flights from Europe (Portugal), Ghana, Angola and Gabun. São Tomé has a maximum extension of 50km, whilst Príncipe measures only 16km from North to South. Both islands are covered by dense tropical rainforests mixed with wild cocoa and coffee plants and home to dozens of endemic species. The Atlantic Ocean here is warm all year round and created some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. True tranquility – São Tomé e Príncipe.

A gem of the Atlantic

1001 square kilometers (approximated 60% the size of Greater London) of adventure, hiking, cycling, swimming, diving and relaxing. 

São Tome e Príncipe, named one of the top 10 holiday destinations by Lonely Planet, is a small island state approximately 300km off the central African coast. The friendly, calm people are of African, Creole and Portuguese origin. Portuguese is the main spoken language. The country is independent since 1975. The country’s capital São Tomé City and the nearby region is home to about 90% of the country’s 200k people, making the remoter areas a truly private experience. Príncipe is home to maybe less than 30k people, with the capital Santo Antonio, that can easily be crossed by foot within minutes. São Tomé e Príncipe is a democratically governed country, continuously named among the best ranks in world press freedom and democracy indexes. Our people are open, friendly and proud to show our country.

São Tomé e Príncipe Nature
São Tomé e Príncipe Culture
São Tomé e Príncipe Press Inquiries

Flight connections:
São Tomé Island (TMS). Currently served 5 times a week from Lisbon (Portugal), plus additionally from Accra (Ghana), Praia (Cape Verde), Luanda (Angola) and Libreville (Gabun).

Telefone/internet services:
São Tomé e Príncipe international dialing code is +239. Local phone operators CST and Unitel offer Sim-starter packs and reliable fast internet connections throughout the country.

Visa free entry for 15 days:
EU, US and Canada tourists who stay for up to 15 days, don’t need a visa. For longer stays, apply for visa online. Yellow fever vaccination is needed if you arrive from or transited through a risk country.

4

Islands and islets with hotels

28

Degrees Celsius annual medium temperature

2

Dry seasons per year

6

hours flight from Europe only

Colonial heritage
Tropical resort hotels
The Equator
Agriculture
Island cycling
Ocean at the City Centre
Beach dinner
São Tomé City

Welcome

Things to see in São Tomé e Príncipe

THE EQUATOR
Visit Ilhéu das Rolas, the small island right on the Equator’s line, with a gigantic pool, a luxury hotel and beautiful beaches. There is a monument too, to take a selfie.

COCOA AND CHOCOLATE
Stroll through the forests of wild growing cocoa trees, get to know the acid taste of their fruits and the aroma of sun-dried cocoa beans. Afterwards get to know the chocolate manufactory.

ALBERT EINSTEIN
Did you know? It’s here in São Tomé e Príncipe, that the Theory of Relativity was proven. And you can stay at the same hotel, that accomodated the team of Albert Einstein.

VIRGIN FORESTS
About one third of the country is protected nature reserve. You can hike through cloud forests, forgotten valleys and extense jungles where ancient villages hide.

COLONIAL HERITAGE
Walk through the old town centre, where you’ll find yourself right inside a mix of colonial heritage, vivid markets, prestigious avenues and local restaurants.

BEACHES UNLTD.
It starts 500m next to the airport and doesn’t stop: Largato-, Swimmingpool-, Banana-, Jalé- and so-many-more-beaches. A diferent one for each day.

SNORKEL
Take your snorkeling equipment and go to Lagoa Azul. Each morning the sun rays will paint the warm water in turquoise colour, whilst you’ll watch the sealife.

DIVE
There are a variety of PADI licenced dive centres. Dive through the warm waters and discover impressive hotspots like the Seven Rocks or Boné do Joquei.

UNDERSTAND
The history of slavery, plantation work and nowadays São Tomé e Príncipe is explained inside the National Museum. Inside the former fortress.

FEEL
Don’t leave the country without feeling the life on one of our markets and take some Jackfruit, Vanilla, Jungle-Pepper, Osami and Moskito-Leafs back home.

ATLANTIC BY BOAT
Here, you may surf or do water sports. Or take the canoa through mangrove forests. Or go once around the island, discovering virgin beaches.

GO TO THE LIMIT
There are simple walking routes inside our forests. If you like some thrill, try climbing São Tomé Peak. Two days of pure nature. Only with a local guie.

Creole island mix

Cities and villages to see

São Tomé City (Cidade de São Tomé): Our capital city, starts with a beach right as you leave the airport. Furthermore: palm fringed avenues, a colonial city centre, two municipal markets, the famous “taxi-square”, Portuguese inspired cafés and a laid back “leve-leve” lifestyle. Santo António: Capital of the autonomous region of Príncipe, post office, regional government, a port and views to the Ocean. Trindade: Centre of the mountains region inland São Tomé Island and gateway to most of the hiking trails. Guadalupe: City at the always dry northern tip of São Tomé, gateway to a couple of beaches. São João dos Angolares: City mystically formed by Angolares people, with history dating back to a sunken slave ship. Ribeira Afonso: Fishermens village home to the yearly 3 day long “Santo Izidoro” party. Água Izé: One of the largest agricultural companies (Roças) and linked villages, just as Roça Agostinho Neto or Roça Monte Café. Roça Sundy: This typical agricultural village on Príncipe Island has something unique: Einstein’s Theory of Relativity was proven here. Ribeira Peixe: Very small yet beautyfull fishermens village with a small Turtle protection station. Micolo: Fishermen’s market village and next to black volcano sand beach and close to Fernão Dias: site of national celebrations remembering independence fight. Neves: The country’s most industrial city, boosting our German made beer factory.

Discover São Tomé e Príncipe