Luandais the capital city of the Republic of Angola. The climate is tropical, with two seasons: the rainy season between January and May and September to December and the dry season between June and August. The average temperature is 25ºC. It has an area of 2,257 Km2.

The capital was previously known as St. Paolo of Loanda. It was founded by Captain Paulo Dias on the 25th January, 1575, who disembarked on Ilha do Cabo (Cape isle) and found a great number of local people, among whom he set up the first Portuguese colony. The following year, recognizing that the isle did not offer the best conditions to use as a base for the conquering territory, he moved to the mainland, founding St. Paolo of Loanda, laying the first stone of the Church of St. Sebastian, where the Armed Forces Museum is situated today. Thirty years later, with the influx of the Europeans and the subsequent construction works, the town of St. Paolo of Loanda began to look like a city, stretching from the suburb of St. Miguel to the Hospital Maria Pia. The most famous buildings are the Erminda de Nazare, the Churches of Carmo and Cerca, the Government Palace, the Customs House and the Hospital Maria Pia, among others.

 Two great rivers cross the province of Luanda, the River Bengo in the North and the Kwanza, which gave its name to the national currency of Angola. The population of the city is estimated at 4 million people, according to non-official data.

HOW TO GET THERE

By air

Several airlines fly to Luanda as TAAG, AIR GABON, SABENA, SAA, British Airways, Air Congo, TAP, Air Namibia, Aeroflot, Varig, Air France, Sonair, among others. All the flights land at the Airport 4th February.

BEACHES

Island of Mussulo: This is an excellent beach to practice water sports or to go for a walk. The sea is calm, inviting you for a relaxing swim, away from the noise of traffic. A great number of tourists come here to enjoy the natural beauty and the beach houses.

Island of Luanda: Coconut trees line the road from one end to the other end of the island. On the right-hand side, the sea is calm  and offer excellent condition for swimming, while on the other side, it is rougher, although many people go fishing. The fine, white sand invites the visitor to go for a walk or practice some sports, such as football or volleyball.

Barra do Kwanza: This paradise on earth is situated on the south of Luanda. It has a wonderful variety of flora and rolling sand dunes, sheltering the mouth of a river which invites the visitor to go for a stroll along its banks. Traditional fishing methods serve to feed the local population and to provide an interesting activity for the tourist to watch.

WHERE TO STAY

WHERE TO EAT

restaurante Bordão

 236 Av Murtala Mohamed, Tel.:  309028     

Complexo Farol Velho

 Ilha Luanda (Farol Velho), Tel.: 309036

Restaurante A Nave

55 R Missão, Tel.: 337030

Restaurante Arcadia

134 Av 4 Fevº, Tel.: 338474

Restaurante Garfo

 66 R Emilio M'Bidi, Tel.: 320350

Restaurante Kitanda

38 R Timor, Tel.: 440059

Restaurante Mexicana de Acácio R da Silva

 94,A Av Revolução Outº, Tel.: 339937

Restaurante Pimm's

112 R Emílio M'bidi, 324598

Restaurante Tamariz

9/37,Il Ilha Cabo, 309485

RESTAURANTE TAMBARINO  

 23 R Amilcar Cabral, Tel.: 397343

RESTAURANTE VENEZA                                       

 120 Av Comdt Che Guevara, Tel.: 320954

Restaurante XL

 R Ho-Chi-Min, Tel.: 321002

RESTAURANTE Rialto

 Lg Tristão Cunha, Tel.: 391827

RESTAURANTE CAFÉ DEL MAR

RESTAURANTE MIMAI BEACH

RESTAURANTE  COCONUT´S

RESTAURANTE  CARIBE

Ilha do cabo, 9/37, Tel.: 309485