Capital city, Angola
Luanda
Oil-rich Atlantic capital with a palm-lined Marginal, the Ilha beach and restaurant strip and a large expat scene. One of Africa's priciest cities, with heavy traffic, little English and few tourist services.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$1,510–2,700Comfortable, one person · Kz1.4M–2.5MDetails
- Value for money17/100Better value than 16% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Feb, 30°CDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; tap water is unreliable.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: rareDetails
- Doctor's visit$54–108Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundYangoYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCards work in big hotels and some malls; most places want cash.Details
Where to stay in Luanda
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Ilha de Luanda | Beach clubs, seafood, nightlife, short stays |
| Miramar and Maianga | Central, hotels, embassies, restaurants |
| Talatona | Gated expat suburbs, malls, quiet, car needed |
| Baixa (Old Town) | Colonial buildings, fortress, museums, daytime only |
Apps that work in Luanda
Food delivery apps don't cover this area.
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Yango | Main ride app; cars, fixed prices |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Taxis: Street taxis rarely use meters; agree fares first or use Yango. Hotels will arrange safe cars for the airport.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Angola.
- Mostly cash Cards work in big hotels and some malls; most places want cash. Foreign cards often fail at ATMs, so bring euros or dollars to change at banks.
- Currency: Kwanza (AOA). US$1 ≈ Kz927.38 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Few ATMs accept foreign cards; withdrawals are limited, so rely on Multicaixa machines at major banks and bring spare cash.
- Tipping: Not required; 10% is common in restaurants if no service charge is added.
- Paying by phone: Multicaixa Express and local QR payments need an Angolan account; visitors cannot rely on Apple or Google Pay.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Since 2023 Angola waives tourist visas for 30 days for dozens of nationalities, including the EU, UK and US; check the eligible list before travelling.
- Others apply for an e-visa or a consular visa before travel; business and work stays need a visa in advance.
- Passport must be valid six months with two blank pages; cash over US$5,000 must be declared.
Emergency numbers
Police 113 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 115
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Unitel and Africell shops sell SIMs; passport registration is required; data is relatively pricey.
Going to Luanda solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Luanda meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.