Cidade Velha (aka Ribeira Grande) is located about 10 km from Praia, is the former capital that was settled at 1462nd. At 1466th the settlement received the Royal monopoly on slave trade. At 1532 diocesan town and in 1572 the title of city. It was under pirates attacks several times.
Cidade Velha is now a small fishing village with several attractions, including cultivation of sugar cane, mangoes and coconuts. At Cidade Velha you will find various restaurants and hotels.
Popular weekend destination for inhabitants of Praia. There is a regional hospital (the central hospital is in Praia), a pharmacy, an ATM and a few small shops can be found also at the site.