Mocamedes is a coastal desert city in Angola located in the province of Namibe in the Southern part of the country. Founded in 1840 by the Portuguese colonial administration, the city was named Namibe between 1985 and 2016. Moçâmedes has a cool dry climate and desert vegetation because it is near the Namib Desert. The city's Sé Catedral de São Pedro is the cathedral episcopal see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Namibe, which was established in 2009 on territory split from its Metropolitan's Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lubango, to which it is a suffragan diocese.

Mocamedes is arguably Angola’s best beach for relaxing in the daytime, thanks to its slightly more secluded position on the south coast of Sentosa. This crescent-shaped hideout has shallow warm waters, fine white sand, and tropical palm trees – all the essential ingredients to make for a perfect beach and help you forget it’s not actually natural. This beautiful sea paradise is a famous port city, which is dotted with basilicas, ancient buildings and forts, palaces, and synagogues. Being home to numerous beaches, such as Fort Kochi Beach, Veeranpuzha Beach, Cherai Beach, and many more, Mocamedes makes for an interesting spot to indulge in various water sports.

Location: Namibe Province, Angola

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.0/5 (50 reviews)

Soyo is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Angola. This town (originally spelled "Sonho" and pronounced Sonyo) was a province of the Kingdom of Kongo, which stretched south from the mouth of the Congo River to the River Loze, and inland from about 100 kilometers. It was already an administrative entity whose ruler or governor bore the title Soyo or "lord of Soyo" when the Portuguese arrived in 1482. The ruler was the first Kongo lord to be baptized when Christian missionaries came to the kingdom of Kongo in 1491.

Soyo is the city next to the Congo River where you will recover your energy. It is a quiet city with deserted beaches and an amazing climate. Between the sand and the vegetation, a monument - Padrão de São Jorge –marks the spot where navigator Diogo Cão made landfall. When you visit Soyo, you must see this famous landmark. Stunning heritage architecture, delicious local cuisine, and picturesque views of the Bay of Bengal await you in this historic town on Angola’s eastern coast. Enjoy this unexplored African landscape, right next to some modern hotspots that bring Soyo closer to the rest of Angola.

Location: Zaire Province, Angola

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.0/5 (70 reviews)

M’Banza Congo is a town in Angola located in the province of Zaire in the northwestern part of the country that was the capital of the Kilukeni dynasty of the past. It was founded sometime before the arrival of the Portuguese in 1483 and was the capital of the Kilukeni dynasty ruling at that time. The site was temporarily abandoned during civil wars in the 17th century. In the valley to the south runs the Luzi River. In 2017, Mbanza Kongo was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

M'banza Kongo is known for the ruins of its 16th-century Cathedral of the Holy Saviour of Congo, which many Angolans claim is the oldest church in sub-Saharan Africa. The present-day church, called São Salvador, known locally as nkulumbimbi, is now said to have been built by angels overnight. It was elevated to the status of a cathedral in 1596. Pope John Paul II visited the site during his tour of Angola in 1992. Other important sites include the Jalankuwo, the Manikongo's judgment tree, which can still be found in the city's downtown area, along with the sunguilu. In this rectangular ground-level structure, local tradition says the king's body was washed before burial. Both are on the grounds of the royal palace and present-day Royal Museum.

Location: Zaire Province, Angola

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.0/5 (218 reviews)

Benguela, also spelled Benguella, formerly São Filipe de Benguela, city, western Angola. The city was founded in 1617 around the São Filipe fortress and was one of the bases for Portuguese expansion in Africa. Benguela is the political and economic coordinating center for the activities of the hinterland to the east and is linked by rail via the Benguela Railway with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe.

Benguela’s another dreamy coastal town is Kovalam which is famed for being home to architectural wonders, calm beaches, and beautiful landscapes. No matter whether you are visiting the spot for the first time, or you are visiting for the third time, Benguela will never cease to surprise you all the time. When here, you get to witness the best combination of sun, sand, and sea, and it is worth a visit. Further, since the city boasts of pleasant weather throughout the year, its beaches, such as Hawa Beach, Samudra Beach, and Lighthouse Beach are major crowd pullers. Also, if you have time, don’t miss visiting the Aazhimala Shiva Temple and Halcyon Castle. Further, its welcoming and friendly nature will let you ponder if you should extend your vacation to a few more days.

Location: Benguela Province. Angola

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.0/5 (250 reviews)

Malanje is the capital city of Malanje Province in Angola, with a population of 455,000. It is located 380 kilometers east of Angola's capital Luanda. Near it are the spectacular Calendula waterfalls, the rock formations of Pungo Andongo, and the Capanda Dam. Malanje is one of the provinces with the most attractive tourist spots in Angola. This provides its visitors with the best moments of culture and leisure through ecotourism.

Near the city is the Cangandala National Park, established by the Portuguese authorities on 25 June 1970, it was founded to protect the Giant Sable Antelope which was discovered in 1963. As far as religious buildings are concerned, there is the Evangelical Church at Quêssua and as for funerary constructions, the Tomb of the queen Ana de Sousa Nzinga Mbande and the tomb of José do Telhado, a local Robin Hood. José do Telhado was a Portuguese who was exiled to Portuguese Angola in colonial days and used to steal from rich whites and distribute to poor blacks. Worth visiting is the Forte de Cabatuquila in the city.

Location: Malanje Province, Angola

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5 (280 reviews)

Cabo Ledo is a commune in the municipality of Angola that is a hidden gem for all surfers and beach lovers. On the way to Cabo Ledo, you will pass the bridge of the Rio Kwanza, which connects the province of Luanda with the province of Bengo. Not many tourists get lost on this wonderful beach. The wild, untamed ocean provides the perfect waves for experienced surfers and invites you to relax on the beach.

The drive from Luanda to Cabo Ledo takes about 2 hours. Halfway, you will stop at the viewpoint "Miradouro da Lua" and enjoy the wonderful view in the morning light. After crossing the kwanza river bridge, you will see lots of monkeys around the road. This area is well known for its huge biodiversity. Upon arrival at Cabo Ledo, you´ll have the chance to choose your surfboard or your stand-up paddle and you are ready to conquer the waves or enjoy a relaxing day at the beach. The beach and its surroundings are a perfect backdrop for beautiful pictures. On the other end of the long beach, you can enjoy the fresh Angolan cuisine and regain your strength for the afternoon.

Location: Luanda Province, Angola

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5 (308 reviews)

Lobito is a municipality in Angola. It is located in Benguela Province, on the Atlantic Coast north of the Catumbela Estuary. It is a large city that is known for its long and unique natural harbor and active port. It has important railway terminals and connections to the continental road network. Lobito experiences a mild tropical arid climate with few temperature extremes. The winters are extremely dry and warm, while summers are relatively wet and hotter.

Pristine and largely non-touristy, this small island is home to Lobito Beach, which has repeatedly been voted among the world’s most beautiful beaches. Elephant beach, a popular snorkeling spot, and Kalapathar beach, which gets its name from the black that adorns its coastline, are two other picturesque beaches worth visiting. Today it's just a sleepy little hollow on the coast, about 90km from East Angola with a pristine beach and river, and where the local backpackers offer guided canoe trails, hiking, fishing, and chilling. The coastal town has a handful of decent restaurants where you can get a good meal or enjoy a pint with friends.

Location: Benguela Province, Angola

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5 (328 reviews)

Lubango, formerly Sá da Bandeira, city, southwestern Angola, about 100 miles east of Moçâmedes, to which it is linked by rail. The city was originally established in 1885 as a settlement for colonists from the Madeira Islands. It lies at an elevation of 5,774 feet in a valley of the Huíla Plateau and is surrounded by a scenic park spreading up the mountain slopes. The city, once the major center of Portuguese settlement in the interior of southern Angola, is built in a Portuguese style of architecture, with a cathedral, commerce hall, industrial hall, and secondary school.

Part of a larger archipelago that is known for its amazing diving experiences, the coral reefs around Lubango are also excellent for snorkeling. The island can be reached by boat or small plane, and the accommodations range from budget guesthouses to the Luxury & Beyond Benguerra on a neighboring isle. In general, the area is considered something of a bird watchers' paradise. Other special birds to look out for are the African finfoot, Narina Trogon, and African cuckoo-hawk. Consider visiting during the Mtunzini Birding Weekend held each year in June/July and remember to pack those binoculars.

Location: Huíla Province, Angola

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5 (3035 reviews)

Luanda, also spelled Loanda, formerly São Paulo de Luanda, city, capital of Angola. Located on the Atlantic coast of northern Angola, it is the country’s largest city and one of its busiest seaports. Founded in 1576 by Paulo Dias de Novais and initially settled by the Portuguese, Luanda became the administrative center of the Portuguese colony of Angola in 1627 and was a major outlet for slave traffic to Brazil. The city is regarded as the capital of the Mbundu peoples, who have their roots in the surrounding area.

Luanda has a warm equable climate. The surrounding region fronts a tropical coastal plain that gives way to a tableland dissected and drained by the Cuanza River and other coastal streams. This city center museum is one of Luanda's most enlightening attractions. It was originally set up in the Fortaleza area in the 1930s but had to move as its collections became too large to accommodate. Nowadays, the halls and cabinets are jam-packed with Angolan fish, mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects - giving a fascinating impression of the richness of the country's biodiversity. A particular attraction is the black sable antelope specimen, which you won't see anywhere else, but the colorful and beautiful animals on display.

Location: Luanda province, Angola

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5 (9036 reviews)

Huambo is a city in Central Angola and the capital of the Huambo Province. It is one of the largest provincial cities in Angola, comparable in size with Lubango and Lobito/Benguela. Once called Nova Lisboa, it was designed in 1912 to be the new capital of Angola, and the beauty of that era is still apparent. Huambo sits in the center of the traditional area of the Ovimbundu people. During previous centuries the Ovimbundu were organized into several independent kingdoms.

Start at the Praça de Agostinho Neto in the Cidade Alta. This large and beautiful Huambo is surrounded by the governor's palace, the principal government edifices, and the central post office. In the middle of the rotunda is a large monument to the nation's first president, Agostinho Neto. before departure. Pretty as a picture and with minimal development, Morgan Bay lies sandwiched between sea cliffs, a lagoon, and a stretch of natural bush on the edge of the Wild Coast. To the north lies the Kei River, which once served as a border with the old Transkei. There’s not much happening here but when it does, it’s usually centered around the family-owned Morgan Bay Hotel, which offers old-fashioned hospitality of a bygone era.

Location: Huambo Province, Angola

TripAdvisor Rating: 5/5 (10,582 reviews)