São Vicente's pleasures are simple and largely outdoor. The city of Mindelo provides the music, the restaurants, and the culture; the island provides beaches, mountains, and dramatic volcanic scenery. Monte Verde to the east and the beaches on the northern and eastern coasts are the main draws outside the city. The ferry from Mindelo's Porto Grande to Santo Antão is one of the great short sea crossings in the Atlantic and can be taken as an easy day excursion.