The Fortaleza de São Miguel, a 17th-century Portuguese fort on the hill above the bay, is Luanda's most visible landmark and houses the Museum of Armed Forces. The National Slavery Museum (Museu Nacional da Escravatura), a former colonial chapel 18 km south of the city centre, documents the history of the transatlantic slave trade that passed through this port. The Marginal promenade along the waterfront is a pleasant walk with views of the bay and the Ilha. Kissama National Park, 70 km south, is Angola's main wildlife reserve and the most accessible day trip from the city for elephant and antelope sightings.
The National Museum of Anthropology in Cidade Alta documents the cultures and traditions of Angola's many peoples, with a mask collection that stands out. The Natural History Museum on the Rua Ho Chi Minh has a well-regarded collection of Angolan fauna.
The Iron Palace (Palácio de Ferro) in the Baixa is an unexpected landmark — a pre-fabricated cast-iron building whose origins are disputed: some say it was designed by Gustave Eiffel, others say it was simply ordered from a Belgian catalogue and assembled on arrival. The building has been relocated and restored; it now stands near the waterfront.