[2]: 34  Many public buildings are situated in the city centre.

Adjacent neighbourhoods include Fortinho to the northwest, Alto Miramar to the northeast, Fonte Cônego to the east and Ribeira Bote to the southeast.

The main streets of the city centre of Mindelo are Avenida Marginal along the waterfront, and the perpendicular Rua Libertadores de África (former Rua Lisboa).

The main squares are Praça Estrela in the south of the centre, and Praça Amílcar Cabral in the north.

Many colonial buildings from the 19th and early 20th century have been preserved.