São Tomé and Príncipe is an archipelago born of travel, maritime routes, and human encounters. Here, history has woven a unique mosaic of identities: Europeans who arrived during the Portuguese Age of Discovery, peoples from Central Africa, and populations from Angola, Cape Verde, and Brazil… All have contributed to shaping a deeply multicultural society.

The islands were uninhabited when the Portuguese arrived around 1470. The entire current population is descended from later migrations and historical processes.

The blend of African, Portuguese, and local influences has given rise to a small but culturally vibrant country, where music, cuisine, and language come together to create a unique identity in the Gulf of Guinea.

The beliefs of São Tomé and Príncipe comprise a rich tapestry of religious, spiritual, and cultural traditions that reflect African, European (primarily Portuguese), and Afro-Brazilian influences.

Most of São Tomé's restaurants are concentrated in the Água-Grande district. 

A large portion of the meals is made with fish, since we are a country surrounded by the sea, with a coastline rich in both the quantity and quality of fish available.

Discover the history of cocoa and coffee

The roças have been an integral part of São Tomé’s history for over 150 years. Coffee was introduced to the islands in 1787, with the colonization of the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe.

The colonial era, from the 13th to the 19th century, saw the arrival of several peoples who brought with them their cultures and dietary customs from different regions. 

Be sure to try calúlú, a true culinary icon that combines vegetables, fish, and spices in a fragrant broth.

The island of São Tomé was discovered on December 21, 1470, by João de Santarém, on Saint Thomas’s Day; 27 days later, on January 17, 1471—St. Anthony’s Day—Pêro Escobar arrived on the island of Príncipe.

Embark on a fascinating journey from the Age of Discovery and the first settlers (15th century), through the profound transformation of the era of plantations and slavery, to the courageous path toward independence. 

Discover how the roças shaped the identity of these islands, preserving to this day the remnants of a colonial past as rich as it is mysterious.