Things to do in Accra

History and landmarks

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum

Downtown Accra

The resting place of Ghana's first president sits on the old polo grounds where he declared independence in 1957. The park opened in 1992 and reopened in July 2023 after a full modernisation, so the underground museum, now with an audiovisual tunnel and a presidential library, feels current. The mausoleum, designed by Don Arthur, is clad in Italian marble and shaped like an inverted sword, an Akan symbol of peace, with a black star at the top for unity. Take a guided tour to get the most from it, and dress respectfully.

National Museum of Ghana

Barnes Road, central Accra

Ghana's oldest and largest museum reopened in 2022 after a long renovation. Its galleries move through the country's past, its traditions and its art, with Asante stools, textiles and contemporary work among the highlights. It is an easy pairing with the memorial park, a few minutes away.

Independence Square

Black Star Square, on the seafront

A vast ceremonial square by the sea, anchored by the Black Star Gate and the Independence Arch. It comes alive during national celebrations, but the monuments are worth a look on any quiet morning.

Osu Castle (Christiansborg)

Osu

This seventeenth-century Danish fort holds one of the most layered histories on the coast, passing between the Danes, the Portuguese, the Akwamu and the British, and serving as Ghana's seat of government until 2013. It is now a presidential museum and a UNESCO-listed site, with slave dungeons, the Door of No Return and sea views. Access is limited, usually guided tours on set days such as Fridays, and it can close at short notice as it sits in a security zone, so arrange a visit in advance rather than turning up.

Jamestown

Western Accra, by the sea

One of the city's oldest districts, full of life, street murals and fishing boats below the Jamestown Lighthouse, which was rebuilt in the 1930s. A local walking tour is the best way to take in the area, its boxing gyms and its history.

W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre

Cantonments, near our apartment

A short hop from where you are staying, this is the former home and resting place of W.E.B. Du Bois, the Pan-Africanist scholar who became a Ghanaian citizen late in life. The grounds hold his house, his library and his grave, and the guided tour is worth it. The centre is being expanded into a larger Pan-African complex, so check current access before you go.

Art and markets

Gallery 1957

Accra's best-known contemporary art space opened on Independence Day in 2016 and now shows leading artists from Ghana and across Africa. Worth an hour if modern art is your thing.

Makola Market

Accra's great central market is loud, packed and fascinating, selling everything from cloth to kitchenware to fresh food. It is a lot to take in, so go with someone who knows it, keep your phone away and your bag close.

Malls and groceries

For calmer shopping and groceries, Palace Mall in Labone is the closest to our apartment, with Accra Mall, Marina Mall and the Oxford Street Mall in Osu also within easy reach. Opening hours vary, so check before a late run.

Beaches

Labadi Beach

The city's liveliest beach, with golden sand, food stalls, music and a real weekend crowd. There is an entry fee, and it is busiest on Sundays.

Bojo Beach

Quieter and prettier, out near Bortianor west of the city. You pay a small fee and take a short boat ride across the lagoon to the sandbar, which keeps it calm and clean.

Kokrobite

About 45 minutes west, a relaxed beach with a long-running surf and reggae scene. Good for a slow day out of the city.

Where to eat

Food is one of the best reasons to be here, from street stalls to smart kitchens. Osu, Labone and Airport Residential have the densest cluster of places, covering Ghanaian, wider West African and international menus.

For local cooking, Buka serves a well-loved plate of jollof and other West African dishes. Republic Bar and Grill in Osu is an Accra institution for food, cocktails and an easy crowd. Jamestown is the place for street food such as kelewele and grilled tilapia with pepper. Restaurants here change often, so check current hours and recent reviews before you set out.

Nightlife

Osu is the heart of Accra's nightlife, with bars, live music and clubs along and around Oxford Street. Republic Bar is the friendly place to start, with highlife and Afrobeats spilling onto the street. Bloom Bar is known for live bands in a garden setting, and Front/Back is the spot for a more polished cocktail evening. The scene moves quickly and venues come and go, so ask a local or check what is on before you head out, and agree your ride home in the app.