Fortaleza de Sao Miguel
Fortaleza de Sao Miguel
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Fortaleza de Sao Miguel and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
148 within 3 miles
Attractions
16 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
275 reviews
Excellent
85
Very good
144
Average
43
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Gene R J
Silver Spring, MD10,530 contributions
Mar 2023
We walked up here as part of our 11km tour of Luanda’s bayfront. A tall flagpole, military hardware and a statue of 16th C Queen Nzinga Mbandi is before the entry. After paying 500k each we strolled the interior museum with outstanding tilework and prehistoric artifacts then circumambulated the wall for nice views of the sand spit, “Ilha de Luanda” and the bay’s promenade, “Marginal da Baia”.
Very worthwhile effort even in the hot sun.
Very worthwhile effort even in the hot sun.
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr R M Thapa Syangja
Putalibazar, Nepal430 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Guarding the bay is this fort. Guarding this spectacular view are guards who were toting automatics. But, they looked friendly. Did not speak to them though. Nice views
Written July 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arick W
Luanda, Angola8 contributions
Dec 2015
I was an ex-pat living in Luanda for six years. I can't imagine why anyone would go there as a tourists as the city has about zero cultural offerings and is horrendously expensive. (Think $500 a nigh for a three-star room and dinners for one starting at $75 sans vino.) Anyway, if you are so unlucky as to be in Luanda as a tourist, I suppose you could go to the Fortaleza. You can see the highest flagpole in Africa (whoopee!) and some old military equipment. There is a museum (no air-conditioning) with an assortment of old rifles that is very uninteresting - even if you are into guns. Again, in Luanda there aren't very many touristy cultural/historical attractions, so I would say check it out if only for the view of the city. Its better than sitting in a hotel room. Then again, if you are paying $500 a night, you should make every minute count! Arick Wierson
Written April 15, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ary F
Dubai, United Arab Emirates99 contributions
May 2017
The fortress offers a glimpse into Angolan history, including the colonial period, the liberation war and the civil war.
It boasts soviet-style murals and Portuguese white and blue tiles, South African airplanes shot down, Portuguese canons captured, photos of atrocities, weapons, letters, excerpts from speeches, flags and memorabilia from people in all the sides of all these conflicts. If you know nothing about Angolan history this is a very good place to start.
It also boasts one of the best views of Luanda bay.
Probably one of the best museums of Luanda and an absolute must-see item on your travel plan.
It boasts soviet-style murals and Portuguese white and blue tiles, South African airplanes shot down, Portuguese canons captured, photos of atrocities, weapons, letters, excerpts from speeches, flags and memorabilia from people in all the sides of all these conflicts. If you know nothing about Angolan history this is a very good place to start.
It also boasts one of the best views of Luanda bay.
Probably one of the best museums of Luanda and an absolute must-see item on your travel plan.
Written May 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Belarminov
Luanda, Angola24 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
This place gives you a sense of what the cold war was like for Angola that was also on a civil war. It shows the colonial and pre colonial culture, and how the country came to be how they are today. It does not look in details about the modern era of Angola...so it may let you down in a way. My visit was educational and my kids loved it...so it was a good experience. On of the things that makes it special is the location, that has spetacular views.
Written April 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David C
Tarporley, UK248 contributions
Dec 2013 • Business
apparently built in 1576, but the cement rendered, apricot painted walls make it look somewhat more modern. Certainly the best place to go for panoramic views of Luanda and the Ilha. Lacks content somewhat with lots of old tanks and planes and an interesting building with ceramic tiled walls. We must've been among the first visitors, as it opened in about May and we went in December. They only take Kwanza (100), so don't go with dollars. The 'interpretation' needs working on. The inside display had 3 exhibits marked 'Bow' 'Arrow' and 'Spear'. Nevertheless well worth a visit.
Written January 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bininha
London, UK66 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Beautiful Museum, very well organised, if you book in advance you can request a guide tour.
We were lucky to get this service without booking, one of the Sargent kindly showed us around.
We were lucky to get this service without booking, one of the Sargent kindly showed us around.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nurdin
Tangerang, Indonesia19 contributions
Nov 2019 • Business
Fortaleza is a National Military Museum of angola. From this location you can see Luanda from the top. You can see Vasco da gama and his friend inside fortaleza.
Written February 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruno S
Lisbon, Portugal86 contributions
Nov 2018 • Business
This is a very clean and nice place to visit in Luanda , specially with a spectacular view over the Bay Area. You need to go through several armed troop checkpoints but there is no problem getting to the top. Nearby it is the house of the Angolan president.
Written November 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AbleDanger
Annapolis, MD192 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
Maybe I am being unfair . . . much of the city is dirty and unsafe and here is a place that is well maintained, safe, and rather interesting with some decent views. Possibly one of the best things to do if you are in Luanda.
Written January 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Que vusse não. Tem é uma sala nobre para eventos. Abraço
Written March 24, 2017
Is it open on Sundays?
Written December 13, 2015
I'm not sure. I believe it is open but I can not assure it is.
However, even if it's closed, you will not waste your time going there, since there are some interesting displays of war vehicles, two war airplanes, and wall sculptures outside that are worth seeing. Aditionally, you can tour the Fortaleza from the outside and have very good wiews of Luanda downtown, the bay, the Ilha the Luanda and on the left side the "nova marginal". Entrance fee AOA 2.000 (USD 14) and free (and very safe) parking, since it is a militar área. But try to go on a saturday, the tiles and statues in the inside are worth seeing. Have a nice trip.
Written December 14, 2015
Por Favor Alguém sabe o horário de funcionamento do museu da escravatura em Luanda? E o valor de entrada, alguém sabe?
Agradeço a vossa ajuda
Written March 17, 2015
O museu é muito pequeno e fecha conforme o movimento ! Um rapaz abriu para nós , devia ser umas 15:00 e nos cobrou aproximadamente 15 euros por pessoa como “gratificação” por uma visita de 5 minutos
Written February 28, 2018
salma2015
Luanda, Angola
انا اريد شركة سياحة داخل مدينة لواندا لكى تساعدنى على الذهاب الى الاماكن السياحية بداخل المدينة
Written January 6, 2015
Showing results 1-5 of 5
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingScroll back to Fortaleza de Sao Miguel information