City guide · Angola
Luanda
Luanda is the capital and largest city of Angola.
2 ready itineraries · 3, 5-day plans
Luanda is the capital and largest city of Angola. It is Angola's primary port, and its major industrial, cultural and urban centre.
Located on Angola's northern Atlantic coast, Luanda is Angola's administrative centre, its chief seaport, and also the capital of the Luanda Province. Luanda and its metropolitan area is the most populous Portuguese-speaking national capital in the world and the most populous Lusophone city outside Brazil.
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want Luanda without a car. The 3-day plan stays inside walking range of Fortresses.
- Skip if
- Skip Luanda if you only want a beach week or an airport layover. This cluster is for people who will walk most days.
Pick a trip length
One plan per length — open it and walk the days in order.
5-day preview
Skim the walking days, then open the full plan.
- 1
Museums
Walk Museums in Luanda. Start at Museum of Money, then National Museum of Slavery and National Museum of Natural History. Stay on foot.
Museum of Money · National Museum of Slavery · National Museum of Natural History · National Museum of Anthropology
- 2
Churches
Walk Churches in Luanda. Start at Igreja do Carmo, then Igreja da Nazare and Church of Our Lady of Remedies. Stay on foot.
Igreja do Carmo · Igreja da Nazare · Church of Our Lady of Remedies
- 3
Fortresses
Walk Fortresses in Luanda, including Fortress of São Miguel and São Pedro da Barra Fortress.
Fortress of São Miguel · São Pedro da Barra Fortress
- 4
Others
Walk Others in Luanda, including Agostinho Neto Mausoleum and Old Town.
Agostinho Neto Mausoleum · Old Town
- 5
Museums
Keep Luanda on foot. No new tickets required.
National Museum of Natural History
Where to stay
Bases that fit the walking plan.
Fortresses
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Fortress of São Miguel, São Pedro da Barra Fortress on foot.
Museums
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Museum of Money, National Museum of Slavery, National Museum of Natural History on foot.
Churches
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Igreja do Carmo, Igreja da Nazare, Church of Our Lady of Remedies on foot.
Others
2 to 4 nights
Walking this plan
Base here if you want Agostinho Neto Mausoleum, Old Town on foot.
Getting there & when to go
Lock timing and airport basics early.
Best time
Luanda works year-round for a walking trip. Shoulder months are easier on crowds and hills.
- Shoulder months
- High season
- Low season
- Rain days
Airport
Luanda International Airport (XXX)
thumb|right|250px|Congestion is a fact of life in Luanda. dos Combatentes) * A popular means for locals to get around the city is by mini bus taxis (Candongueiros), easily identifiable by their pale blue and white. Although they are considered dangerous by most expats, locals use them on a daily basis. During the daytime, until around 20:00, they are a safe, convenient, and usually fast means of transport in the inner-city.
- Public transit from XXX30 to 60 minutes · Local ticket price. Check the operator the week you fly.
- Taxi or licensed ride hail20 to 45 minutes · Treat any number you see online as an estimate, not a quote.
Practical notes
Short reads before you book.
Understand
Luanda was founded in 1575 under the name São Paulo de Loanda by a hundred families of settlers and four hundred soldiers. Two forts were constructed in the early 17th century and the city became Portuguese Angola's administrative centre in 1627.
From the late 16th century until 1836, Luanda was the port where nearly all slaves bound for Brazil left. Aside from a brief period of Dutch rule (1640–48), this period was relatively uneventful, with Luanda growing much like many other colonial cities, albeit with a strong Brazilian influence as a result of the extensive shipping trade between these Portuguese colonies.
Get in
Despite the city's low tourist numbers, it has a surprisingly large number of international connections, which largely service Angolans living abroad and the growing number of firms servicing the oil and diamond industries as well as reconstruction (done largely by Chinese workers and Brazilian firms). A couple of carriers still operate routes based on Cold War alliances (to Havana and Moscow).
The city is the hub of national carrier TAAG Angola Airlines, which offers flights to 15 Angolan cities. They offer flights to many cities in West-Central/Southern Africa including daily flights to Johannesburg as well as Douala, Cameroon; Sal, Cape Verde; Bangui, CAR; Kinshasa, DRC; Brazzaville & Pointe Noire in the Congo; Windhoek, Namibia; Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe; Lusaka, Zambia; Harare, Zimbabwe.
Get around
thumb|right|250px|Congestion is a fact of life in Luanda. dos Combatentes) * A popular means for locals to get around the city is by mini bus taxis (Candongueiros), easily identifiable by their pale blue and white. Although they are considered dangerous by most expats, locals use them on a daily basis.
During the daytime, until around 20:00, they are a safe, convenient, and usually fast means of transport in the inner-city.
Stay safe
Safety in Luanda is average for safety among African cities. Don't venture into the slums.
Don't go out at night alone. Keep your car doors locked at all times.
Related guides
Helpful next pages for Luanda.