Angola Travel Guide

Angola is located in the southwest of the African continent and has land borders with Namibia to the south, Congo to the northeast, and Zambia to the east. It has a coastline with the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The capital is Luanda, and Angola consists of 18 regions and more than 150 districts within these regions. Angola, which attracted the attention of Portuguese sailors in the 15th century, was under Portuguese rule until the end of the 19th century. Angola declared its independence in the early 1960s and was freed from Portuguese colonial rule. Today, the country's official language is Portuguese and it has a very rich structure in terms of cultural diversity.

When to Go to Angola?

Angola's climate varies by region. While the northern and coastal areas are tropical, the central and highlands have a temperate tropical climate. The southeast has a hotter and drier climate. Due to the tropical climate, daytime temperatures are usually between 25 and 30 degrees. In the temperate tropical climate, the temperature differences between day and night in the summer are quite significant. Heavy rainfall in the country is concentrated between November and April, so it would be more ideal to travel between May and October, when temperatures are milder.

How to go?

There are no direct flights from Turkey to Angola. However, there are flights to the capital Luanda from Dubai, Doha, Addis Ababa, Frankfurt, Brüksel, can be reached by connecting flights from major cities such as London and Amsterdam. Those planning to travel to Angola can buy a flight ticket to one of these cities and continue on to Luanda.

Night life

Although Angola doesn’t offer a wide range of nightlife options, the capital Luanda has cafes, bars, restaurants and a few nightclubs. There are many popular venues around Murtala Muhammed Square. These include Lookal Ocean Club, Chill Out, Caminito Night Club, Jade Rooftop and Terrace Bay. However, since Luanda is one of the most expensive cities in Africa, it is recommended that you explore the nightlife within your budget.

Shopping / What to Buy?

There is a wide range of souvenirs in Angola due to the influence of different cultures. Local markets offer many handmade products belonging to African culture. Benfica Market in Luanda is very popular for tourists who want to buy souvenirs. Here you can buy products such as traditional handmade sculptures, patterned clothes and jewelry. The most preferred souvenirs are carved figurines called Penseur. There are also various products in the shopping malls in the capital. Belas, Shopping Avenida, Talatona and Fortaleza shopping malls are popular places to shop in Luanda.

Festivals and Fairs

Holidays / Important Days

Things To Consider

For Turkish citizens who want to travel to Angola, it is mandatory to have a yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before the trip. You must have the vaccination certificate with you. In addition, the maximum amount you can bring with you when entering the country is 5000 US Dollars. There are inspections at the airport regarding this issue.

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure in Angola is not well-developed. There are a limited number of railway lines in the country, which usually connect to coastal port cities. In the capital Luanda, taxis are the safest option for transportation. There are also minibuses called candogueiros in the city, but these are more convenient during the day. In the evening, they are not a popular form of transportation for tourists. Those who want to travel in a luxury taxi can use apps like Kubinga, T'Leva or Heetch.

Culture

Angola's culture is very rich and is largely comprised of the Bantu ethnic group. There are approximately 100 ethnic groups in the country, each with their own distinct language. The culture of the Portuguese colonizers in Angola is blended with African culture, which has influenced the country's architecture, music, and art. Art is very important in the country; artefacts made from materials such as wood, copper, and shells are very popular. Music and dance also play a central role in Angolan culture.

Finance

Angola has great economic potential, but a large portion of the population struggles with poverty. The effects of the long civil war have prevented economic development from reaching large segments of the population. In recent years, there has been economic growth thanks to revenues from oil and natural resources, but unemployment remains high. Angola's most important agricultural product is coffee, but products such as sugar cane, corn and cocoa also contribute to the country's economy.

Visa Status

In accordance with the agreement made with the Republic of Angola, Turkish citizens can stay with a passport valid for 6 months, provided that it does not exceed 180 days within 90 days. visa free They can travel to Angola.

Representative Offices in Türkiye

• Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Luanda
  Address: Embaixada da Turquia, Avenida Pedro de Castro Van-Dunem Loy, 535, Mundo Verde-Talatona, Luanda
  Email: embassy.luanda@mfa.gov.tr
  Phone: +244 939 765 336 / +244 939 765 337 (Portuguese, English)