Explore Best Tourist Places in Luanda

About Luanda

Luanda was founded by Portuguese explorer Paolo Dias de Novaes as St. Paul of Luanda in 1576. It became the capital of a Portuguese colony in 1586 and became the capital of independent Angola when the former Portuguese colony gained its independence in 1975. The city is in the northwestern of the country on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As a major port city for Angola in the 16th century, Luanda became the center for commercial, political, and cultural affairs. The Portuguese also used Luanda as their major slave trading port until 1836.

Despite its violent past and clashing contrasts, Luanda is a wild paradise waiting to be discovered. There are hidden pockets of wildlife to keep nature lovers immersed in the unkempt beauty and temperate climate of a previously unfamiliar destination that now stands proudly amongst the more celebrated ones.

Tourist Attractions In Luanda : 12

Sort By Experiences :

Fort/Palace

Museum/Gallery

Wildlife

Park

Religious

1: Fortress Of Sao Miguel

The Fortress of Sao Miguel with military order is located in Morro da Fortaleza near the bridge of the Ilha de Luanda. It was the first fortification to be erected in Luanda in the 16th century, during the government of Paulo Dias de Novais, first built in clay. These materials will be later replaced in 1638 by taipa and adobe with finished works in 1689 under the leadership of D. John de Lencastre. At that time had the form of a star with four horns with the system abaluartado methods Italians most updated the time especially those of the master Benedetto of Ravenna.

2: National Museum Of Slavery

The National Museum of Slavery located in Morro da Cruz, Luanda was founded in 1997 by the National Institute of Cultural Patrimon with the objective of depicting the history of slavery in Angola keeping memories of torture endured by thousands of slaves before they were shipped to North and South American countries by European slave traders to work in coffee, sugarcane, cotton and indigo plantations without salary.

3: Quicama National Park

Quicama National Park also known as Kissama National Park is a national park in north western Angola and is the only functioning national park in all of Angola. Quicama National Park extends about 70 kms south of the capital Luanda. The national park has very varied landscape types. They range from lush river valleys to the Cuanzaand beautiful tree sways to open grassland and the impressive coastal region. The varied vegetation is reflected in the species richness of the animals. In addition to the impressive elephants there are also powerful rhinos, hippos, cheetahs, wilder beast, crocodiles and the forest dwarf buffalo which is one of the rarest species of the national park.

4: Museum Of The Armed Forces

Originally built in 1576 the Fortress of Sao Miguel is the location for the Museum of Armed Forces. With the original cannons standing guard and incredible statues of important figures in Angola history this is a popular attraction. Established soon after independence in 1975 this museum houses the records of Angola’s fight for independence. Inside the museum tourists can also examine a Russian made twin engine plane, weapons, armoured cars and other military equipment used during the fight for Angola’s National Independence.

5: Bicauri National Park

Bicuari National Park lies in Huila province and covers an area of 790000 hectares. Sadly many of the animals in Bicuari National Park did not survive the civil war but numerous bird species are known to still inhabit the park area. The park is an area of sandy hills and shrub thicket character with a tropical semi-arid climate. Formed as a national park in 1964, it is historically known for its large mammals, such as the Black Buffalo. Some of the animals in the park include cheetah, kudu, steenbok, reedbuck, eland, buffalo and the leopard among many others. The park is majorly made up the riverbanks of the Cunene River, sandy hills and river valleys with savannah grassland.

6: Museu Nacional De Antropologia

The Museu Nacional de Antropologia or the National Museum of Anthropology is a national museum in Luanda which exhibits anthropological relics. It is definitely one of the places to visit in Angola to know more about the people. The museum was established on 13th November, 1976 and its aim was to protect the Angolan culture. This establishment has two floors with fourteen rooms and 6000 items native of Angola. It showcases images of the Khoisan society, hunting and farming objects, musical instruments, fishing objects, ancient pottery, olden jewellery and more.

7: Museu Nacional De Historia Natural De Angola

Museu Nacional de Historia Natural de Angola created in 1938 as the Museum of Angola is installed in the Fortress of Sao Miguel de Luanda. Attached to the museum a library and the colonial archive were created. The building has three floors and houses salons where are stuffed specimens of mammals, fish, cetaceans, insects, reptiles and birds. With the proclamation of National Independence, the museum underwent some changes, starting with the name, being called the National Museum of Natural History. The museum's collection also includes vast and rich collections of molluscs, butterflies and shells many of which were used as coins on the west coast of Africa.

8: Largo Do Ambiente

This public open park set in the heart of Luanda provides a key amenity to what is one of the most sought after commercial precincts in the region. The park acts as a plaza for use by office workers during the day and families and general public in the evening and is set in an urban environment. Largo do Ambiente has gardens, benches, lighting systems and an underground car park.

9: Fortaleza De San Pedro De La Barra

Fortaleza de San Pedro de la Barra is located on the old hill of Cassandama commune of Ngola Kiluange municipality of Sambizanga city and Province of Luanda. The fortress of San Pedro de la Barra was used as a centre of reclusion of slaves in transit towards the American continent. This colonial fortification of the Portuguese empire is a building of irregular plant that adapts to the elevation of the land on which it sits. The outward appearance is that of a whitewashed fortress. The much deteriorated building conserves in its interior rooms beautiful ceramics that portray African motifs.

10: Museu Da Moeda

From the time of the ancient kingdoms to the present day, Museu da Moeda dedicates its underground galleries to this thing called money which moves and transfigures the country every day. It is exactly this history that the Museum of the Currency tells how objects and things have gained and lost over time the subjective value that men gave them at a certain moment. Buried in Largo Saydi Mingas right next to the National Bank the museum occupies a central place of the city. The place of the museum is symbolic and most of the museum is underground.

11: Cathedral Of The Holy Saviour

Built in 1628, the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour is the Roman Catholic Church of Luanda. The beautiful architecture of the cathedral makes it extra special and today it is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Luanda. The church has been an important part of the country’s religious history and was built between 1880 and 1900. The church features three curved doors at the entrance, which are bordered by one larger curved facade. The cathedral was declared as a building of Public Interest in 1949.

12: Nossa Senhora Do Carmo

Nossa Senhora do Carmo is a Roman Catholic Church located in the vicinity of Largo Irene Cohen, behind the Provincial Government, downtown Luanda. The temple is seen by many as the most beautiful and important example of religious architecture in the country. Centre of history and faith, Nossa Senhora do Carmo is an inalienable part of the Caluanda identity. The Carmo Church, as it is known among us, is a vital point of the city. The temple witnessed stories and prayers of all since the 17th century when it was built.

How To Reach Luanda

By Air - Luanda International Airport in Luanda serves as a major airport with quite good number of national and international airline services.

By Train - There are a few short passenger lines, but they are not very safe. Angola once had the most extensive rail network in Africa while under colonial rule.

By Bus - The National Bus Service has just re-opened but routes are not organized yet. There are some local services in Luanda and in between cities.

By Road - The main road for tourists will be the coastal highway leading north to the DRC and South to Namibia. Roads are one of the top priorities in reconstruction efforts including a handful of six lane highways leading out of the city.

By Water - There are ferries operating from Luanda to the Cabinda exclave, it’s useful to avoid a transit of the DRC and the journey takes about 14 hours.

Getting Around - A popular means for tourists to get around the city is by mini bus taxis, easily identifiable by their pale blue and white.

Traditional Food (Regional cusine of Luanda)

1 - ART BURGER, AT 63, Av., CMTE., CHE GUEVARA - (FAMOUS FOR HAMBURGER)

2 - CHURRASCARIA NANDINHOS, AT RUA COMANDANTE VALODIA 13 - (FAMOUS FOR GRILLED CHICKEN AND TAMOTO ONION SALAD)

3 - GALERIA DOS PAES, RUA DOS TRANSMISORES - (FAMOUS FOR PIZZA AND CAKE)

4 - FOURTH OF JULY RESTAURANT, AT Av., MURTALA MOHAMED (SPORTSMAN'S HOUSE), CAPE ISLAND - [FAMOUS FOR CHICKEN SHAWARMA (PITA BREAD, STUFFED WITH CHICKEN BREAST CUBES ON PLATE WITH TAHINE SAUCE, SERVED WITH FRIED POTATO)]

5 - MOMENTS, AT Av., CMTE. GIKA - (FAMOUS FOR SHRIMP CURRY)

6 - BARBARICO, AT Av., CMTE., CHE GUEVARA - (FAMOUS FOR GRILLED CHICKEN)

7 - DAR EL AMIR, LOCATED IN LUANDA - (FAMOUS FOR HUMMUS IS A FOOD MADE FROM MASHED CHICKPEASOR OTHER BEANS, BLENDED WITH TAHINI, OLIVE OIL AND LEMON JUICE)

8 - BE DELICIOUS, LOCATED AT 6, RUA DO ATLETICO - (FAMOUS FOR CHOCALATE ICE-CREAM)

Weather & Quick Info Of Luanda

Not Updated

Best Hotels In Luanda

Currently no property available for Luanda .Will be updated soon.

Best Travel Agents In Luanda

Currently no Tour Packages available for Luanda .Will be updated soon.