Location: Luanda
Top Things to do in Luanda
10 Things to Do in Luanda That You Shouldn't Miss
Sitting on the Western Coast of Africa, the port of Luanda is the capital and largest city in Angola. Founded by the Portuguese in 1575, the city has had a tumultuous history, finally achieving peace in 2002 after a long civil war. Now with a swelling population and surge of construction, the city is experiencing a rebirth. Take a break from the busy city and visit nearby Mussulo, a spit of land covered in coconut palms, bungalows and bars, and featuring wide sandy beaches and calm waters.
Restaurants in Luanda
1. Miradouro da Lua
Overall Ratings
4 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By Vincent_van_Halsema
The eerie rock formations make it seem like you are on the moon. Coupled with a spectacular view of the ocean and the sunset and the fact that it is literally on the side of the road make this a must for a 15 minute stop
2. Fortaleza de Sao Miguel
Overall Ratings
4 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By Abundance_of_miles - Stockholm, Sweden
You will enjoy the view over central Luanda and the island of Mussolo. The museum gives a good introduction to the history of Luanda vid focus on 1960-1990 i.e. the liberation struggle and the civil war. Lots of photos of prominent persons as well as various weapons and commentaries heroic paintings. Well worth to see are the blue tiles in the central house which depict important points of Angola's history during Portuguese times.
We had a passionate guide, but only in Portuguese. No signs in any other languages either I am afraid.
3. Avenida 4 de Fevereiro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By lagadec29 - Houston, Texas
How about a good walk after a day visiting around? very neat place, not finished all the way down I guess, couldn't find my way to the marina, but it's been enjoyable, after 4pm to walk along and finish having a beer at the ArtBurger.
You may even have a seat and watch the fish having dinner on mosquitoes that won't bite you!
4. Sangano Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By Thunderstorm Ho... K
The beach is 2h far away from Luanda, Over the Kwanza river, and it is really peaceful. There are some places to eat something, like fresh fish and a bungalow accomodation if you wanna spend there a week end. The beach is wide and clear, you can restore energy and enjoy the view of the cliffs behind you. It is quite difficult to reach because after the indication there are 3/4 route that you could take. Please ask to someone before to go towards the beach.
There are also a Fish Market where you can buy some fresh seafood.
Should try!
5. Ilha do Mussulo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By Margarita d - Kotor, Montenegro
Mussulo is not an iland but a peninsula in front of Luanda, reachable by boats. It is the favorite place for the wealthy people of the capital city to spend their weekends and holidays as the Beaches are sandy and the sea calm, so it is perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Many wealthy people have big, luxury houses in Mussulo, where they enjoy inviting friends and family. The Beaches are public, so many people from Luanda just take a taxi boat to spend the Sunday on a beach. There are still very few hotels or restaurants on Mussulo, as there are not many people living there all around the year and as it is difficult to transport goods from Luanda.
6. Museu da Moeda
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Sunil Kumar N - Kannur, India
Situated in Marginal – Next to BNA (Banco Nacional de Angola). An underground museum. Luxuriously decorated and well maintained – amazingly surprised.
This tells everything in regards to the Angolan currency, from era of Sands, Salt, ivory as a currency to the “ Zimbo”, “Reis”, “Macuta” , “escudo” and Kwanzas.
All the coins/notes from the inception to till date are displayed. BNA Governor’s olden days cabinet is also reproduced here. Gifts received by the BNA Governor in the olden days are also displayed
Models of few coins (10,20 etc…) are also reproduced in big size here..
Self servicing computers/kiosks are also available for more information about the currency/BNA and hazels/hardships gone though for arranging the museum.
12.769kg gold bar is another attraction. Visitors can try to lift the gold bar
Spaciously done museum – fully climate controlled.
Well behaved staff – helpful in every respect
Need to go through the security check /screening before entering into the museum. Toilets are available. A gift/souvenir shop is also planning to open – but not functional yet.
No parking spots available – better to have a driver or park it on the other side (Marginal paid parking)
A great initiative by the BNA. A must visit place for those who are interested in knowing the Angolan currency history.
Visited on Sunday. But now a day’s museum doesn’t open on Sundays.
7. Mausoleum of Agostinho Neto
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 70 reviews
Reviewed By Kool2bbop - Washington DC, District of Columbia
This is one of those places that have the potential to be an amazing milestone in Angola . It is located in a very privileged and secure area, near the new "Assembleia da Republica " New Marginal, Presidential Palace, etc. Almost nothing happens there. An obelisk that costed millions of dollars and no profit coming from there . At least, seeing from the outside, it appears to be moderately maintained and cleaned.
This is as if you have diamonds on the soles of your shoes but you continue to walk barefoot.
8. Igreja Nossa Senhora dos Remedios
Overall Ratings
4 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Teresa H - Texada Island, Canada
This small pretty church is dwarfed by surrounding buildings and has a bit of a court yard infront, which is locked and the grounds are not kept up, dying plants, messy, garbage.
The history of this church is impressive however and it is sad that it has not been taken care of. When we arrived on a tour the gates were closed and the church locked, but with a lot of haggling we were allowed in.
The church was build in 1664 on the site of the ruins of the Fortaleza de Santa Cruz which had been destroyed the the Dutch in 1641/ Amdre Vodal de Negreiros, govener of Angola had the church built to fulfil a promise he had earlier made to Saint Nazare when he was almost shipwrecked somewhere between Brazil and Anglola, during a strong storm. Governor Negerios promised the saint that if he were saved, he would build a church in thanks. At the time of construction the church laid outside the city limits and the church fathers had their own herd of cattle and a water well to sustain them. It stood on a slight mound with steps leading up to it and was surrounded by palm trees and tamarind trees, two of which still survive. Over the years mud washed down from the hills behind the church has accumulated and raised the level of the land surrounding the church by more than a metre, now, instead of going up the steps to enter the church you descend 5 steps. Following the battle of Ambuila or Mbwila in 1665 the decapitated head of the defeated King of the Congo, Antonio Mani-Maluza was put into a wall inside the church. The head was separated from the body to prevent re-incarnation and his body is said to be buried close to the site of the "alto das Cruzes" cemetery. His crown and scepter were sent to Lisbon as trophies. Inside the church, the altar is made of pink Italian marble. Hand painted blue and white Portuguese azuleijos (tiles) depict scenes from the battle of Ambuila and Negriro's storm. The tile depicting a head is said to be the spot where the king's head is immured. The church roof was destroyed by heavy rain in 1909 and not restored until 1935. It now sports a very fine dark wood ceiling.
9. Cidade Alta
Overall Ratings
4 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Poleinahole - Chicago, Illinois
Not much to see until the Fort Museum re-opens. Hard to get to due to military guards because President lives near by. Say you are going to the British Embassy---though they will check that your name is on a list..
10. Ship's Cemetery (Graveyard)
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By 1marshal - London, United Kingdom
After Reading the latest reviews in which people were robbed we were not so sure about visiting here. A little forward planning is required. Make sure to visit on a sunny day and it has not rained previous day as well. The road is really bad and even a 4x4 can slide about. Your vehicle needs to be in good condition and a 4 wheel drive is preferable. A early morning visit will ensure people free photographs and exclusive experience. It is a free attraction.
The beach pria de sarico or cemitario dos navios is located to the north of Luanda.city. Cross the river and pass the pop up restaurants. The turn for the beach is 5 mins after this. It is a dirt road. Once you turn left from the highway turn right at the Bem pao restuarant and continue on to the dirt road. after 10 mins you will come to the fork on left leading to the village. Avoid it and move on. after another 10 mins you will come to the sign board for hotel construction by Angola and Germany (see pic)
turn left here. Once you hit the sand/ mud area you will need your 4 wheel drive.
Plenty of shipwrecks on the beach here.
Don't go towards the village to avoid possible negative experience. You can explore towards the north. Keep your vehicle in eyesight and don't take any valuables with you.
We reached by 9:30 am and had the beach to ourselves. By 10 we had explored 3 grouping of beached ships.
On our way back we crossed 2 van load of teenagers heading towards the beach. it is a popular picnic spot with local as evidenced by the numerous pop up restaurants serving beer.
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