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Capital and the largest city of Ghana
Photo: Goldenwabbit, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Accra is the capital city of Ghana. Accra has a mix of 19th-century colonial architecture, modern skyscrapers and apartment blocks, and dusty shanty towns.
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The National Museum offers visitors a look at Ghanaian history and culture from prehistory to the present. Cultural exhibits include clothing, thrones, carvings, pottery, and a variety of archaeological finds, all accompanied by concise and informative descriptions. There are also exhibits on traditional metalworking and cultural rites of passage. The focus on history is lesser, but the second floor includes displays of historical Ghanaian currencies, postage stamps, and football uniforms. A guided tour, which differs from the text in a few places, is available on request, but be sure to tip your guide at the end.
The park was created to honour Kwame Nkrumah, who led Ghana to its independence from Great Britain and became the nation's first president. Voted as Africa's "Man of the Millennium", he is a highly important figure of the 20th century. In the park you can see a monument dedicated to him, as well as his mausoleum, where he is buried.
Black Star Square
Also known as Black Star Square for the large black star located atop Independence Arch. The square celebrates Ghanaian independence from the British in 1957 and features an eternal flame first lit by Nkrumah in 1961.
W.E.B. DuBois was an American civil rights activist and author who moved to Ghana near the end of his life, feeling his efforts to create equality were all in vain and that America would never accept black people. DuBois' home has been turned into a museum and library. The museum is quite small, but there are informative guided tours available on request. The centre also houses his grave and several memorials.
This is the workshop of Seth Kane Kwei, who invented the famous design coffins in the 1950s, which are carved into shapes that represent something important and relevant to the deceased person, such as a fish or aeroplanes. You will likely meet Eric Adjetey Anang, grandson of Kane Kwei, who has owned it since 2005, and hear stories about these fantastic coffins. They are used for funerals in the region and are part of many public or private collections of contemporary art around the world.
Artist-run gallery over 3 floors with sculptures, fabrics and paintings. Covers everything from cheap wooden artefacts for a few dollars to expensive paintings by top artists in Ghana. A big plus is being able to browse in a relaxed gallery without being hassled to buy.
The presidential palace. Might be worth taking a look at, just know there is lots of security around.
The oldest part of Accra. You may want to find a friendly local guide so you don't miss the hidden alleys, old stone houses, and fantastic cliff-top harbour vistas. Jamestown is similar in many ways to Zanzibar's Stone Town, though it has not yet been restored and is not typically highlighted on tourist itineraries – it remains an active fishing centre. The only real sights are the lighthouse (closed for repairs as of 2024), a prison building housed inside an old colonial fort, and the old Customs House. From the lighthouse there is a road which takes you to the otherwise hidden delight: one of the largest working fishing harbours in Ghana. Go early in the morning and see dozens of small boats bring in the day's catch. Sadly, the Chinese, who constructed a massive and modern facility on the harbour in 2025, is pushing the fisherman and the ladies who grill the fish are being pushed into an ever-smaller area around the bay.
The Brazil House space is occasionally rented out to a church, and it is tough to find without a local guide. A family that lives there is helpful in explaining the space's history. The only thing that distinguished its notability was a mural featuring a woman and the Brazilian flag.
This is Accra's version of a city zoo for now. Has a fairly representative sampling of African animals, and habitats are fresher and cleaner than a lot of other zoos, maybe because it's in an open area.
World War Monument
The Liberation Day Monument (also mapped as the World War Monument) is a historic war memorial within the Black Star Square complex. It stands as a solemn tribute to the World War II veterans of the Gold Coast Regiment who were shot by British colonial police during a peaceful march in 1948, an event that catalyzed Ghana's path to independence.
Nubuke Foundation is a contemporary art and cultural institution dedicated to preserving, recording, and promoting Ghanaian arts and culture. Founded in April 2006 by Odile Tevie, Kofi Tutu Agyare, and artist Kofi Setordji, it serves as a creative hub for artists and art lovers.
Historic Anglican church of Accra built in 1894 that is on the way to Ussher Fort and James Fort.
Main church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, completed in 1957.
Built in 1922. The Wesley Methodist Cathedral is a church in Accra, the capital of Ghana. The church lies on Asafoatse Nettey Road, in Adedainkpo, a district of the Jamestown area of the city. It was designed by W. F. Hedges. Construction began in 1922, with Frederick Gordon Guggisberg laying the foundation stone, although it was not dedicated until 1960. In 2000, the church was made a cathedral, part of the Methodist Church Ghana. It is the seat of both the Bishop of Accra, and of the Presiding Bishop of Ghana.
This is kind of a diminutive mosque compared to some of the great ones out there, but may still be of interest. It is close to the Agbogbloshie borough though, so try not to get lost.
Accra Furkan
The Ghana National Mosque is a mosque and Islamic complex and has served as the national mosque for the country since 2021. With capacity for 15,000 worshipers, it is the second largest mosque in West Africa.
Cantonment Police Mosque
A prominent modern Islamic edifice designed to serve the spiritual needs of the Ghana Police Service personnel and of the general public.
Christiansborg Castle
Built by the Danes in the 17th century for Sweden, it changed hands under many rulers before the Danes were finally able to stake claim to the area and the castle. Before it was claimed by Denmark, it was used for trading precious metals, but once the Danes took power, it became a place to store slaves before shipping them. Later it became the headquarters of the Danish Gold Coast. Since then, it was used as a government building; when Ghana gained independence in 1957, it became the Presidential House. It remains the seat of government today, though there is controversy because of its ties to the slave trade. It is not open to walk-in visitors. Armed guards stand outside and they typically don't allow photos to be taken. Rules about pictures change sporadically, but it's best (safest) not to try.
Trading post established by the British in 1673, used as a prison until 2007. It is notable for being the prison where Kwame Nkrumah was kept for a year before his presidency. The fort is now controlled by locals, and the gates are usually locked. Entry is possible, but you may need a local guide with you.
Not Usher's place but a Dutch-built fort that was then turned into a prison. It now houses a small museum and is part of the 28 forts and castles that make up the which also includes Elmina castle. The price of entry includes a guided tour.
For about 20 cedis, you take a boat across the Densu Delta, a Ramsar site in itself, to the actual beach, where you can get food from a restaurant, watch fishermen, or just enjoy one of Accra's least spoiled beaches. Given its relative isolation from congested areas, you stand a lesser chance of stepping in any unexpected excreta. Watch out for your valuables though.
One of the most popular beaches in Accra for tourists, and a relatively clean one at that, just an itinerant plastic bag here or there. Located between two of Accra's most expensive hotels—La Palm and La Badi Beach—this short stretch of the Atlantic Coast features several makeshift cafe-restaurants, lots of souvenir vendors, and if you are lucky (i.e. on good weather weekends) an amazing cast of characters who will entertain you with drumming, dancing, pony rides, and acrobatic performances. Some people actually go for a swim, but there's plenty to do on-shore. Horseback riding available too. (Warning: this is a prime-time venue, which is strongly not recommended after dark.) The beach is accessible only from an entrance at La By-pass (Labadi Road). If you are a guest at La Palm or Labadi Beach Hotel you can access the beach for free through the back gate. Non-hotel guests can enjoy the facilities (pool, fitness, sauna) for 150 cedis a day at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.
Nature reserve and protected by the Ramsar convention on wetlands. The delta is home to 60 species of birds.
A reserve with rocky outcrops and savannah type vegetation where you can see green monkeys, duiker, and baboons, among other things.
The National Archives of Ghana, reorganized as the Public Records and Archives Administration Department, is the official state institution that collects, preserves, and provides public access to the historical, legal, and administrative records of Ghana.
The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) is Ghana's premier learned society, founded in November 1959 by the country's first president, Kwame Nkrumah.
Ghana's largest university is in Legon and is accessible by tro-tros to Madina. It's a very charming and quiet place with old trees, a botanical garden (although you should be aware there have been reports of muggings and violent crime taking place in the gardens) and many small buildings surrounded by green grass. The cafeterias are open to anybody and serve typical Ghanaian dishes.
Cozy restaurant serving a wide variety of traditional Ghanaian dishes with entrees from elsewhere. Delicious and highly recommended.
Eddys pizza serves delicious pizza.
If on a very tight budget.
one of the cheapest accommodations in Accra. 4-bed men-only dorm.
Small hotel, with very friendly staff.
Beaches are in walking distance. Airport or other transport is available with reliable drivers and cars in a good condition.
Pool, gym, breakfast. Communal environment for travelers with shared meals, etc.
Great price, more than the basic comforts, and very reliable. Air conditioning, super comfortable bed, hot water, desk and stool, TV and fridge. Nothing broken, and quite clean. Not fancy, but excellent bang for your buck, and great staff. Quiet location is convenient for most activities in Accra - business or leisure.
A/C rooms equipped with sat/cableTV, private toilet and bath, mini-bar, intercom telephone, wardrobe, instant water heater and internet. Conference room, fitness room/gym, restaurant, and swimming pool.
Asylum Down, (2 blocks from the Ring Road, across the street from the i-Burst building a block down from FedEx). This boutique hotel offers old-world charm, friendly service, fine food and wine. 33 spacious rooms with internet and wall-mounted plasma digital satTV. On a quiet cul-de-sac in a mostly residential neighborhood. Restaurant has fresh seafood, grilled chicken, pasta and great club sandwiches. The cocktail menu is a real treat.
55 A/C rooms with satTV, WiFi, and mini bar. Massage service, travel services, airport transfer, car rental, and complimentary parking. Restaurant and bar.
Staff are friendly. Rooms are clean, gushing hot water 24/7. Restaurant and bar.
Ring Road Central
Good staff, WiFi, coffee shop, bar, grill restaurant.
A small, clean, comfortable five room guesthouse. Staff will ask when you want breakfast and happily modify for vegetarians. Near the nightlife of Oxford St but without the noise. Highly recommended.
10 min to Accra Airport, 20 min from town. Safe neighborhood. 24/7 WiFi. Restaurant with Ghanaian/African menu. Swimming pool has an assigned life guard. Gym available.
A decent hotel at the quiet section of town. Caters mainly for business travellers who usually have things to do at the Ridge (West and North), which is where some of the biggest corporate names have their head offices.
Post-modern pan-African style of the wife of Ghana's decade-plus military ruler, Air Force Lt. Jerry Rawlings, who gets credit for the hotel's best feature, an authentic, Ghananian-inspired design theme. Somewhat sterile with a great location on the beach. 5 restaurants producing good food only in the hotel's flagship outdoor 'African Village' which is a charming breezy and architecturally distinctive venue. Sunday brunch is good, but dinner or drinks any night work equally well. Avoid the main dining room, room service, or Bali Hai, Equator, or other 'international' offerings. The pool is nice and there is WiFi. You'll appreciate the attentive staff, who make up for the indifferent management, awful food, and generally run-down facilities.
The decor is great; hard to describe, but when you see it you'll immediately have a sense of what non-kitschy authentic African style should look like. And the hotel's dining room offers impeccable food for breakfast lunch or dinner. The sleeping rooms are clean, airy, and well-furnished, complete with in-room broadband, and flat-screen cableTV. There is a nice pool, and a first-rate health club.
Business hotel 5 min from the airport. African atmosphere, but with a buttoned-down Dutch efficiency. Downstairs lobby bar, pool-side dining, live music, and gallery of local artists. Business centre provides WiFi with videocall-capable bandwidth. The food is mostly just OK; unimaginative, but hygienically prepared. The rooms are small, a bit smelly, and very much in need of new carpets. The Chalets are the place to be if you decide to stay in this hotel, but they are generally held for those booking two weeks or more at a time. If you like to play tennis, the courts here will suit you just fine, provided you've bought your whites.
Proximity to the airport, web access, A/C, European menu.
74 standard, deluxe, superior, and superior deluxe rooms, all of which have an LCD TV, internet, and in-room safes. Swimming pool, business center, laundry service, and room service.
Good atmosphere, especially if you yearn for a Graham Greene-inspired fantasy British Colonial-era experience. The lobby is all dark wood, leather sofa, campaign furniture and ceiling fans. Queen Elizabeth II slept here; and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. More recent guests include quite a few airline flight crews, and far-too many US government/military contractors who spend long hours at the bar each night boring other guests with their "thoughts" about Africa which are predictably a bit naïve, if not downright creepy. The pool and gardens are nice, the Western-style buffet is excellent, and the rooms are small but well-appointed, most with balconies. Best feature: it is on the beach at La Badi, so there is always something happening just footsteps away. It is a long drive from the centre of town or the airport. Unless you are in Ghana for a vacation, this isn't the best location.
Excellent (slightly lower priced) alternative to the Golden Tulip or any of the other luxury hotels in the airport area. The rooms are very large and very comfortable, the grounds are lovely and they include a swimming pool and fitness center, and the food is also reliably good. It is located a little farther afield than other similar hotels, but it is worth the extra 5 min drive to save on the price. Accra Mall is 3 min away by car, and there is a taxi stand immediately outside the hotel.
Typical 4/5 star hotel. Rooms are comfortable and quite large. Nice pool and fitness centre. Wireless internet throughout with voucher system - free for guests.
Large five-star hotel located in the central business district.
Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Accra
Perfectly poised in a serene neighborhood, Swiss Spirit Hotel & Suites Alisa has 199 magnificent rooms and suites, tastefully designed and showcasing a sophisticated urban feel with plush picturesque views of the capital. Guests can also experience the distinctive meeting & conference facilities alongside its state of the art technologies, designed to accommodate from small to large events and to making your event a success.
Located in the heart of Ghana’s Capital City, Accra, Swiss Spirit Hotel and Suites Alisa is easily accessible to the commercial district, Accra’s touristic attractions, and is only 15 minutes from Kotoka International Airport.
In Accra's busy centre, includes a large boulevard and several alleys full of fabric shops with goods such as wax-print pagnes, as well as embroidered and beaded cotton and tulle for special occasions. Look for wax prints from Ghana Traditional Prints (GTP) and the Akosombo Textile Company, which issue a wide range of new designs annually. Another source for such fabric is Woodin, an upscale fabric store with outlets in Osu and at the A&C shopping mall in East Legon, selling a variety of shiny patterned cottons, batiks, and ready-made clothes.
Known popularly as the "Arts Centre" is an overwhelming but well-stocked option for curio shopping. Smaller curio markets can be found around the city.
Madina Market is a very affordable place to get groceries and other amenities.
Agbogbloshie market is one of the largest markets in Ghana. This market is one of the most vital food supply hubs in Accra, Ghana, responsible for feeding generations and supplying a lot of the capital's food vendors and handlers. It usually functions as a major wholesale and retail destination for staple fresh foods
Kasoa Mamudu
The Nima Market is one of the largest markets in Accra. This market operates everyday but the main market day is Wednesday when fresh goods comes to the market from local farms and villages all over the country, mostly the Northern regions of Ghana. The local government plan to transform this Market into a 24-hour commercial hub.
By train
Although rehabilitation of the rail network is a priority of the government there's just one line operating.
By bus
For those travelling from neighbouring West African countries, several intercity bus services connect Accra with cities such as Lomé (Togo), Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), and…
By foot
Though the city is fairly spread out, Accra is relatively safe to walk around during the day (and night, in many areas).
By taxi
To flag a taxi wave your arm with your finger pointed down to the ground. On a busy street you will have many taxis driving past trying to offer you their service by honking at you.
By TroTro
TroTros are usually convenient form of public transport. They usually consist of minibuses that act as the city's public transit system.
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