Mindelo is a port city[2] in the northern part of the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde.

Mindelo is also the seat of the parish of Nossa Senhora da Luz, and the municipality of São Vicente.

Mindelo is known for its colourful and animated carnival celebrations, with roots in Portuguese traditions later influenced by the Brazilian culture.

[3]: 34  It was initially named Nossa Senhora da Luz, renamed Leopoldina around 1820 after the Queen consort.

[4] Between 1940 and 1958 three prolonged periods of severe drought, combined with soil erosion and overgrazing, brought famine in Cape Verde.

The Cesária Évora Airport lies 9 km (6 mi) southwest of Mindelo, near the village São Pedro.

Its economy consists mainly of business, fishing, shipping, boating and more commonly tourism which developed more recently.