Príncipe, Volcanic island in Gulf of Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe.
Príncipe is a volcanic island in the Gulf of Guinea stretching 30 kilometers in length and 6 kilometers in width. Its highest peak, Pico de Príncipe, rises 948 meters and dominates the landscape of the entire island.
Portuguese explorers João de Santarém and Pedro Escobar arrived in 1470 and began colonizing the island. Over the following centuries, it became a major center for sugar and slave trading operations.
The island's people speak Creole and blend Portuguese colonial heritage with African customs in everyday life. This mix is visible in local celebrations, craft traditions, and how the community shapes its public spaces.
Visitors reach the island via regular flights from São Tomé airport, with accommodation concentrated in the main town. It is wise to plan ahead and arrange lodging before arriving, as options remain limited throughout the island.
The island is home to numerous animal and plant species found nowhere else in the world due to its long isolation. This extraordinary array of original species is a major reason for its designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
