Ribeira Brava

A little waterfront town on Cape Verde's São Nicolau island, Ribeira Brava sits in a mountain valley whose river gives the town its name — Portuguese for "rough stream," a reference to the river's force during rains. The colonial streetscape of Portuguese-style buildings, winding lanes, and steep hills is complemented by several historic churches and a modest café and restaurant scene that punches above its weight for a settlement this size.

• Population2,851
• Nearest water from center0.4 km
• Nearest mountain from center0.9 km