Rentorize Gazette · City Guide

Accra Travel Guide: What to See, Do, and Know

A practical guide to Ghana's capital, written by a local host. When to come, how to get around, the best things to do, what to eat, and where to base yourself, with links to deeper guides for the detail.

• Why Accra
• When to visit
• Getting there
• Where to stay
• Things to do
• Food
• Practical
• Day trips

01Why visit Accra

Accra is one of the easiest big cities in West Africa to land in for the first time. It sits on the Gulf of Guinea, English is the official language, and the welcome is warm. You get real history, a long stretch of coast, a serious food scene, and a calendar that peaks every December with the Year of Return crowd. It works as a city break on its own and as a base for trips along the coast and into the hills.

02When to visit

The dry season from November to March is the most comfortable time, with less rain and lower humidity. December is the headline month. Between Year of Return events and what locals call Detty December, the city fills with returning diaspora, concerts, and parties from Christmas into the new year. It is the most exciting time to be here and also the busiest and most expensive, so book your stay early. Our Detty December guide covers the season in detail.

03Getting there and getting around

Flights land at Kotoka International Airport, which sits inside the city. Most visitors from the UK and US need a visa arranged before travel, and a yellow fever certificate is required to enter Ghana, so sort both before you fly. Our first-time visitor guide walks through visas, vaccines, and the new airport charge.

In the city, ride apps are the easiest option. Bolt, Yango, and Uber all operate, with the fare set in the app. Tro-tros, the shared minibuses, are how locals get around and cost very little, though they take some confidence at first. Pick up a local SIM early, with MTN the widest network alongside Telecel and AirtelTigo. For more on moving around, see our Accra travel tips.

04Where to stay: Accra neighbourhoods

Where you base yourself shapes the trip. The main areas for visitors:

See our one-bedroom apartment in Cantonments

05Top things to do

A strong first few days in Accra:

• Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. The mausoleum and museum for Ghana's first president, renovated and reopened in 2023.
• National Museum of Ghana. Reopened in 2022, a solid grounding in the country's history and craft.
• Jamestown. Old colonial Accra, a working fishing harbour, street art, and a lighthouse to climb.
• Makola Market. One of West Africa's great markets. Go early, with small cash, and enjoy the noise.
• Labadi Beach. The city's liveliest beach, busiest at weekends with music and food.
• W.E.B. Du Bois Centre. The scholar's home and resting place, here in Cantonments. For art, the Nubuke Foundation in East Legon is well worth a visit.

See the full list of things to do in Accra

06Food and drink

Eating well is half the reason to come. Jollof rice is the dish people argue about, banku and waakye are everyday staples, and kelewele, the spiced fried plantain from evening stalls, is worth seeking out. Shito, the dark pepper sauce, goes with almost everything. Osu's Oxford Street is the easiest place to wander and pick, from street food to sit-down restaurants, and Sky Bar 25 has the best-known rooftop view for a sunset drink. Hours and openings change quickly here, so check before you set out.

07Money, power, water, and connection

The currency is the Ghana Cedi. Cards work at hotels and larger places, but carry cash for markets and small shops, and mobile money, known as MoMo, is everywhere. Power cuts, called dumsor, still happen across Accra, so choose a place with backup power and water. Tap water is not safe to drink, so stick to bottled or sachet water. Sockets are UK-style Type G at 230V, and the emergency number is 112. Our travel tips page has the full checklist.

08Day trips from Accra

With a spare day or two, head out of the city:

• Aburi Botanical Gardens. About an hour north in the cool Akuapem hills, green and quiet.
• Cape Coast and Elmina castles. Around three hours west, these UNESCO World Heritage sites and the Door of No Return are the most moving thing you will do in Ghana, often paired with the Kakum canopy walkway nearby.
• Quieter beaches. Bojo Beach, reached by a small boat across a lagoon, or laid-back Kokrobite further west.

This guide is general information for visitors and is kept current, but entry rules, fees, and openings change, so confirm the latest with the Ghana Immigration Service and official sources before you travel.