A two-island country off Africa’s west coast is home to lush rainforests, stunning beaches, and a vibrant culture, yet it remains largely undiscovered by global travellers. In a 2020 interview with CNN, São Tomé tour guide Luís Miguel described it as being “heaven on Earth”. Despite its natural charm, São Tomé and Príncipe welcomes only about 15,000 visitors each year, remaining one of the world’s best-kept travel secrets waiting to be discovered.
Indeed, a tour operator told the Telegraph in 2017, “It’s not forgotten. It’s never been discovered.” Often called the “African Galápagos” because of its rich variety of endemic species, São Tomé and Príncipe is an equatorial island nation shaped by volcanic activity. It consists of two main islands that feature untouched landscapes with dense rainforests, volcanic peaks, beautiful beaches, and warm tropical weather all year long.
Its crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkeling, while inland, visitors can hike through Obô National Park or explore the dramatic volcanic spire of Pico Cão Grande.
Popular beaches include Praia Banana, Praia dos Tamarindos, and Battery Beach, known for its golden sands, volcanic rocks, and lush greenery. Visitors can also take boat trips to Ilhéu das Rolas to explore its coral reefs, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, and experience the island’s unique scenery and white-sand beaches.
The capital city, São Tomé, blends colonial-era architecture with vibrant local culture, while the surrounding areas feature eco-friendly lodges, sprawling cocoa plantations, and rugged coastlines.
One TripAdvisor user wrote about São Tomé and Príncipe: “We travelled to Sao Tome and Principe for 15 days in Dec/Jan. What an amazing place- so beautiful, peaceful and tropical.
“We spent 1 week in Club Santana over Christmas. From here we did a day tour with Luis Miguel to the North and a day to the Centre. Both were so interesting- seeing the old Rocas, enjoying the beautiful scenery and swimming in waterfalls and beaches. The food is lovely everywhere and all clean and fresh. Such variety of fruit and veg and lots of fish. We loved it!”
A local TikTokker, Kuá Téla Nón, also shared a video featuring crystal-clear waters, lush greenery, and soft golden sands, captioned: “The island of Príncipe, also known as the ‘Galápagos of Africa,’ has some of the best beaches IN THE WORLD.”
Another travel TikTokker, cristian.ober, described Battery Beach as the best in the world. He captioned his video, which has now garnered 1.3 million views, saying: “Battery Beach is located right in the middle of the map weknow, where the prime meridian meets the ecuator.
“You’ll probably be alone there, as Sao Tome & Principe is one of the least visited countries in the world and the beach is not even on the main Island.
“The contrast: Turquoise water, white sand, black volcanic rocks and the lush green of the palms make it so visually appealing + the remoteness of the beach makes it the best beach in the world in my opinion.”