Fun Things to do in Luanda, Angola
Are you moving to Luanda, Angola and not sure what you can do for fun?! Well you’re in the right place. I spent 3.5 years living in Luanda as an American expat and this blog post will give you some ideas on what you can do for entertainment in Luanda.
And trust me, you won’t be bored living in Luanda! Luanda is a large bustling city with a variety of things you can do with your free time. And because Luanda is a coastal city, there are plenty of beach side activities for you to enjoy as well!
Here are my favorite things to do in Luanda, Angola!
Movies
Going to the movies was a big part of my life in Luanda. When I was sitting in those theaters and the lights went down I felt like I was back in the USA. And when I was feeling homesick that was such a nice feeling for a few hours. Andrew and I made a habit of going to the movies on a fairly regular basis.
Most adult movies had English and Portuguese options. The English movies would have Portuguese subtitles. It was perfect for days when I didn’t want to work with Portuguese. And for days when I did want the practice because I could watch the subtitles. If you have children, the kids' movies were typically only dubbed in Portuguese however they may have more English versions now.
You can find movie theaters in Belas Shopping, Xyami Shopping and Shopping Avenida. Shopping Avenida is a shopping plaza with a Zap Cinema located in it. Zap Cinema is for sure a fan favorite among expats due to the large stadium seating theaters. I believe Zap Cinema is also still the only IMAX option in Angola.
So if you enjoy some buttery popcorn, the latest Hollywood release, stadium seating and a cold drink then you’ll have plenty of movie options to keep you busy while living in Luanda, Angola.
Mussulo Island
An Island just off Luanda?! Yes, it's true. Mussulo is literally less than a 10 minute boat ride from Luanda. To get there, you have to go to Terminal Maritimo Capossoca to catch a small boat to take you over. There are always boat taxis waiting around for customers. Mussulo is an awesome small island where many people go to enjoy the weekend.
Our company owns a beachfront area with umbrellas, chairs, BBQ pits, restrooms, etc. - everything you need for a day at the beach. And many other companies own property on Mussulo as well. But even if your company doesn't have access for you, there are plenty of small resorts and condominiums you can rent for the day or weekend to enjoy with your family.
Night Clubs
The club scene in Luanda is pretty big. I only went out a handful of times but looking back, I wish I had danced and drank the night away a few more times living in Luanda. Especially since we had a driver! But the Angolans take their partying seriously! There are many clubs throughout the city but the most popular and glamorous ones are on the Ilha. So if you enjoy a good party and dancing, you’ll feel right at home living in Luanda, Angola.
Beach Clubs on Ilha
The Ilha is a strip of land close to downtown Luanda that sticks out along the bay and faces the Atlantic ocean. The Ilha has pretty sand beaches and the restaurants on the Ilha have taken full advantage!
When it’s warm, you can go to one of the Ilha restaurants and spend the day sunning, swimming, eating and drinking. You need to buy some food and drink to get a spot, but for the rest of the day you can relax on the beach. It’s basically a private beach club for the price of food and drink. They also have beach chairs and umbrellas for you to enjoy.
Enjoy lounging on the gorgeous sand but if you go in the water, watch out for the currents. I’m a strong swimmer and found the Atlantic undercurrent to be quite strong!
Shopping
I wouldn’t say Angola is known for their shopping, in fact a lot of wealthy Angolans travel to South Africa or Dubai to shop. However, there are still places to get your shopping fix when you want it. Belas Shopping, Avenida Shopping, Nova Vida Atrium and Xyami Shopping are all malls or outdoor shopping plazas which offer clothing, sports, grocery stores, internet and cable stores. I honestly didn’t buy many things when I lived in Angola but I did still enjoy going around the shops and looking.
Quicama National Park
Safari’s just outside Luanda? Well you’re in Africa, right?! Quicama National Park is a beautiful national safari park that is just outside Luanda - about an hour's drive. Our very first safari after arriving in Angola was at Quicama. We also took my brother there a few months later when he came to visit.
Quicama had a variety of animals that were hard enough to find so you didn’t feel like you were at a zoo but easy enough to find so you could make a day trip and see most of the animals. We did our first visit with Eco Tur Angola and it was great. The second one, we went on a day trip only and took the park’s safari vehicle tour.
Plan to see the most popular safari animals such as elephants, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes and monkeys.
Eco Tur
If you’re looking to explore some of Angola, look no further than Eco Tur. Eco Tur is an awesome Luanda based tour company that offers tours to different regions of Angola. Their tours range from 1 day to a few days in length. Most expats we met had gone on at least one Eco Tur. They’re well known and well trusted among expats in Angola.
If you’re up for an Angolan adventure, check out the tours they have to offer.
Golfing
If you’re a golfer, make sure you pack your clubs! Mangais Golf Course is a great place to spend a day. It’s not the only golf course in Luanda (or just outside of it) but it’s definitely the best so it can get crowded on the weekends. The course is about 45 minutes south of Luanda and sits along the Cuanza River.
My friends and I played there a few times and it was such a nice reprieve from the city. The course was lush and green. And we actually saw a lot of wildlife while playing - horses (there’s apollo club next door), wild pigs, monkeys and many birds. Mangais Golf Course also has a great driving range, putting green and restaurant on site.
Even if you’re not a golfer, it’s such a peaceful place and a great escape from the city. I highly recommend going just to visit!
Surfing in Cabo Ledo
Cabo Ledo is a surfing gem about an hour and a half south of Luanda. It’s a wide and sandy beach that’s positioned perfectly along the ocean for the Atlantic waves to come crashing in. While you won’t have the beach to yourself, there typically weren’t a lot of people on any given weekend day, so it shouldn’t be too crowded for you. A lot of people also liked to spend Saturday night and camp on the beach. Personally, camping isn’t my thing so we always headed home on Saturday evening.
We went a few times with friends to spend the day enjoying sunbathing, visiting and surfing. Well, Andrew surfed. A quick check online shows that maybe the Angolans are starting to build out the beach a little bit - with decking for a restaurant, bar and club area. If you enjoy the beach then you’ll enjoy spending the day or weekend at Cabo Ledo.
As you can see from these various options, you shouldn’t get bored living in Luanda, Angola. Luanda has something for everyone, whether you prefer having fun in the sun or a day of shopping and movies.
Thinking about visiting or moving to Luanda? Check out this downloadable activity checklist I created with 40+ things you have to do when you’re in Angola. This activity checklist is intended to make your life living in Angola rich with fun and culture.
