Angola

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to the provinces of Cabinda (but not including Cabinda city).

For most people, Angola is one of Africa’s last great travel mysteries. Despite its elemental landscapes and boom-bust oil-dependent economy, the country remains closed off to all but the most adventurous travellers thanks to stringent visa policies, high prices and a history that’s been more about war than peace.

It’s a shame. Angola has the potential to be one of Africa’s dazzling highlights. Lurking within its wild borders lies the continent’s second-largest waterfall, scattered remnants of Portuguese colonial history, a handful of emerging national parks, beaches galore and a diverse and unbelievably stoic cross-section of people.

Whether Angola will open up to outsiders any time soon is anyone's guess. The underdeveloped tourist industry has yet to spread it wings and take flight. The sooner the government tackles the country's nagging political issues, the quicker it can emerge from its protracted slumber and show the world what's it's been missing.

Explore Angola

P
Parque Nacional da Kissama
Kissama (also spelt Quiçama), situated 70km (43.5mi) south of Luanda, is Angola's most accessible and well-stocked wildlife park. This huge swathe of…
M
Museu de Antropologia
The Fortaleza de São Miguel guarding the entrance to the bay was constructed by the Portuguese in 1576 and is Luanda's oldest surviving building. Altered…
M
Museu Central das Forças Armadas
The Fortaleza de São Miguel guarding the entrance to the bay was constructed by the Portuguese in 1576 and is Luanda's oldest surviving building. Altered…
B
Banco Nacional de Angola
The curvaceous sweep of the harbour-side Marginal makes an interesting stroll at any time of day. Look out for the striking domed pink façade of the Banco…
P
Palácio de Ferro
Architectural buffs will also want to check the Palácio de Ferro , designed by Frenchman Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame) in the 1890s for the Paris…
T
Tunda-Vala Volcanic Fissure
Largely unaffected by the war, Lubango provides access to the beautiful beaches of Namibe. En route, watch for the Tunda-Vala volcanic fissure, where you…
I
Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré
Luanda has a smattering of old colonial churches hidden among the skyscrapers. A bit of careful searching will reveal the diminutive Igreja de Nossa…
I
Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios
See the impressive double-domed façade of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios , built in 1655 and restored in 1995.
M
Museu de História Natural
The Museu de História Natural boasts two permanent exhibitions in its marine and mammal halls.

P
Parque Nacional da Kissama
Kissama (also spelt Quiçama), situated 70km (43.5mi) south of Luanda, is Angola's most accessible and well-stocked wildlife park. This huge swathe of…
M
Museu de Antropologia
The Fortaleza de São Miguel guarding the entrance to the bay was constructed by the Portuguese in 1576 and is Luanda's oldest surviving building. Altered…
M
Museu Central das Forças Armadas
The Fortaleza de São Miguel guarding the entrance to the bay was constructed by the Portuguese in 1576 and is Luanda's oldest surviving building. Altered…
B
Banco Nacional de Angola
The curvaceous sweep of the harbour-side Marginal makes an interesting stroll at any time of day. Look out for the striking domed pink façade of the Banco…
P
Palácio de Ferro
Architectural buffs will also want to check the Palácio de Ferro , designed by Frenchman Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame) in the 1890s for the Paris…
T
Tunda-Vala Volcanic Fissure
Largely unaffected by the war, Lubango provides access to the beautiful beaches of Namibe. En route, watch for the Tunda-Vala volcanic fissure, where you…
I
Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré
Luanda has a smattering of old colonial churches hidden among the skyscrapers. A bit of careful searching will reveal the diminutive Igreja de Nossa…
I
Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios
See the impressive double-domed façade of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios , built in 1655 and restored in 1995.
M
Museu de História Natural
The Museu de História Natural boasts two permanent exhibitions in its marine and mammal halls.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Angola.

See
Parque Nacional da Kissama
Kissama (also spelt Quiçama), situated 70km (43.5mi) south of Luanda, is Angola's most accessible and well-stocked wildlife park. This huge swathe of…
See
Museu de Antropologia
The Fortaleza de São Miguel guarding the entrance to the bay was constructed by the Portuguese in 1576 and is Luanda's oldest surviving building. Altered…
See
Museu Central das Forças Armadas
The Fortaleza de São Miguel guarding the entrance to the bay was constructed by the Portuguese in 1576 and is Luanda's oldest surviving building. Altered…
See
Banco Nacional de Angola
The curvaceous sweep of the harbour-side Marginal makes an interesting stroll at any time of day. Look out for the striking domed pink façade of the Banco…
See
Palácio de Ferro
Architectural buffs will also want to check the Palácio de Ferro , designed by Frenchman Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame) in the 1890s for the Paris…
See
Tunda-Vala Volcanic Fissure
Largely unaffected by the war, Lubango provides access to the beautiful beaches of Namibe. En route, watch for the Tunda-Vala volcanic fissure, where you…
See
Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Nazaré
Luanda has a smattering of old colonial churches hidden among the skyscrapers. A bit of careful searching will reveal the diminutive Igreja de Nossa…
See
Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios
See the impressive double-domed façade of the Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remedios , built in 1655 and restored in 1995.
See
Museu de História Natural
The Museu de História Natural boasts two permanent exhibitions in its marine and mammal halls.

Guidebooks

Learn more about Angola

Ready to go? Get to the heart of Angola with one of Lonely Planet's in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.