Praia de Laginha is the main city beach of Mindelo, a crescent of dark sand a short walk from the town centre along the Avenida Marginal waterfront. It is not the island's finest swimming beach — the water can be rough and the currents tricky — but it is the most accessible for those staying in Mindelo and the most animated in the late afternoon when the town comes down to watch the sunset and play football.
The beach also serves as an informal promenade for Mindelenses at the end of the working day. The bars along the waterfront fill up as the light fades and the trade winds drop. It is the best place in São Vicente to watch the sun go down over the water while drinking the local Strela beer.