5 must-see attractions in Angola's capital

The Fortress of São Miguel, in Luanda, currently houses the Military Museum and is located on the old São Paulo hill, presently referred to as Morro da Fortaleza, neighboring the bridge on the Ilha de Luanda, in Angola. It was the first defensive structure built in Luanda in the 16th century.

From a tourist's perspective, it is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of Angola's capital. Firstly, because of the building. Subsequently, the military museum is where you can observe various weapons used in the Colonial War, artillery pieces, and military vehicles from the subsequent civil war between the forces of the Angolan and South African political parties. And, no less significant, the magnificent tile panels inside the fortress. And finally, a perfect site to enjoy the beautiful view over Luanda Bay.

One of the buildings I was most curious to visit was the Iron Palace. It is an eye-catching building with iron filigree decorating the façade. The authorship is attributable to the French architect Gustave Eiffel.

There is no way to prove the validity of this assumption, but regardless of its legitimate authorship, it is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Luanda. Mostly because of the architecture and the added bonus of regularly hosting art exhibitions. It was not the case on the day I visited, so the interior of the Iron Palace was quite bare, but its cultural program is somewhat regular. Just keep an eye on the schedule.

The Capela da Casa Grande, which dates back to the 17th century, houses the National Museum of Slavery. This chapel is said to be on the site "of the baptism of slaves before boarding the slave ships that transported them to America." Currently, the museum gathers and exhibits pieces used in the slave trafficking process.

Also, it is worth noting that the entire property accommodating the museum belonged to "one of the largest slave traders on the African coast in the first half of the 18th century," by the name of Álvaro de Carvalho Matoso.

In short, moderate your expectations, and you might enjoy the National Museum of Slavery. Consider that it is a small place and a modest museum project. The museum is in Morro da Cruz, outside the capital.

A little further away, Cabo Ledo is one of the main weekend destinations for the capital's inhabitants. And it's easy to understand why. The distance is convenient, the beaches are magnificent, the cuisine is delicious – based on fish and seafood – and the hotels are some of the best in the entire country.

It is worth mentioning that Cabo Ledo was previously a little fishing village that, in recent years, has grown considerably due to tourism. Still, it remains very appealing. Walking through the village set on the sand, you will surely notice that the structures for drying fish are a paradise for photographers, and there will be no shortage of opportunities to chat with the fishermen. A place for enjoying.