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Glimpse notable landmarks along the stunning Atlantic Coast during a visit to some of the Angolan capital’s top sights. Drive along Luanda Bay, past the 17th century Church of Our Lady of Nazareth, one of the oldest in the country and a national monument featuring ornate drawings on its walls and ceiling. Ascend above Luanda Bay for one of the area’s best views of the city at its former center of defense, the Fortress of São Miguel. After, trace the Ilha de Luanda, a sandy offshore spit-turned-hotspot for chic restaurants, upscale nightclubs, and lovely beaches. Cap your tour with a stop for photographs at the Dr. António Agostinho Neto Memorial—an obelisk-shaped mausoleum dedicated to Angola’s first president. Here, learn about the leader of Marxist organization Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, who was at the forefront of this country’s fight for independence.

Experience the Angolan capital’s past before unwinding on the shores of one of its islets. Embark on a scenic drive by motor coach along the Atlantic Coast to the Fortress of São Miguel, a well-preserved 16th-century national monument. Rising above the city’s namesake bay, it was once a powerful center of defense for the region, and now houses the Museum of Armed Forces. Next, cross over the bridge to the Ilha de Luanda, a tendril of land that has become a hotspot for chic restaurants with outdoor seating and upscale nightclubs. You can enjoy the sunshine at the beach at your leisure or venture inland for a taste of local cuisine and crafts. En route back to your ship, pass fine examples of colonial architecture, including the Angola National Bank—still emblazoned with the Portuguese insignia, a remnant of the city’s past.

Explore landmarks old and new to see what makes Angola’s capital unique. View the 16th-century Fortress of São Miguel, perched atop Luanda Bay and offering one of the city’s best vistas. Once a center of defense, it is now home to the Museum of Armed Forces. Next, head to the obelisk-shaped memorial that towers over the city—the Dr. António Agostinho Neto Mausoleum—where Angola’s first president, who led the country’s fight for independence, is interred. Next, immerse yourself in the country’s thriving artisan culture and meet local makers who showcase their handmade wares at Benfica Craft Market, where an estimated 700 sellers have gathered daily for more than 30 years. After, enjoy free time to shop, or you may choose to visit the nearby National Museum of Slavery, a somber chronicle of the nation’s past.

Embark on a full-day excursion through some of Luanda’s most important landmarks and stunning viewpoints. Start atop Luanda Bay for one of the best panoramas of the city from the 16th-century Fortress of São Miguel, the area’s former seat of military defense and today home to the Museum of Armed Forces. Travel south to the final resting place of Angola’s first president, the Dr. António Agostinho Neto Memorial. At Benfica Craft Market, get to know a thriving culture of artisans who gather daily to peddle handmade masks, jewelry and more. Then, take a short walk to the clifftop National Museum of Slavery to view a collection of poignant artifacts before heading to one of Angola’s revered natural wonders: the Miradouro de Lua (“Viewpoint of the Moon”). Admire the rich colors of the landscape, before returning to your ship.

Enjoy a day of learning and leisure, taking in the sights and pristine nature of Africa’s western Atlantic Coast. Embark on a scenic drive and pause to take in the sweeping views of the city and the ocean from the Fortress of São Miguel, a well-preserved national monument. Built as a center for defense during the 16th century, it now houses the Museum of Armed Forces. Continuing south, you will encounter an obelisk memorial to Angola’s first president, Dr. António Agostinho Neto. Afterward, you will board a boat and transfer to Mussulo Island, a palm-fringed ecological reserve of white-sand beaches. After lunch, you can relax in the sunshine, take a dip in the calm, warm waters, or stroll along the sand dunes. En route back to your ship, pass examples of colonial architecture, some still bearing Portugal’s insignia, a reminder of the city’s past.

Uncover Luanda’s history and heritage at the city’s most important historic landmarks. Journey along the seacoast to the ornately decorated Palácio de Ferro (“Iron Palace”), rumored to be the work of Gustav Eiffel who built Paris’s famed Eiffel Tower. Stop at the 17th-century Church of Our Lady of Remedies to see one of the best-preserved places of worship in the area. Make your way to the National Museum of Anthropology for a study of Angola’s rich cultural past: a renowned array of art, sculpture, weapons, musical instruments and more. At the Fortress of São Miguel, a national monument, enjoy sweeping views of city and surroundings before heading to the Dr. António Agostinho Neto Memorial, where the remains of Angola’s first president are entombed. Afterward, return to your awaiting ship.