Things to Visit in Accra: Beaches, History, and Jollof Rice
Discover the best of Accra from its powerful slave fort history and vibrant art scene to golden beaches and legendary jollof rice. Covers historic sites, beaches, markets, food, and cultural experiences.
This memorial to Ghana's first president and pan-African leader features his mausoleum, a museum of personal effects, and a park with fountains. The site of the original polo grounds where independence was declared in 1957. Entry is 10 GHS for Ghanaians and 20 GHS for foreign visitors. Allow 1-2 hours.
Tour the Jamestown lighthouse and fishing harbor
The oldest neighborhood in Accra has a working fishing harbor where painted canoes launch through the surf daily. The 28-meter lighthouse offers views across the coastline for a small tip to the keeper. The surrounding streets have colonial-era buildings and a vibrant street life that captures old Accra.
Day trip to Cape Coast Castle slave fort
This UNESCO World Heritage Site 150 km west of Accra was a major slave trading post. The dungeons where enslaved Africans were held before being shipped across the Atlantic are deeply moving. Guided tours explain the history with unflinching honesty. Entry is 40 GHS for foreign adults. The 2.5-hour drive from Accra can be combined with Elmina Castle.
Visit the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre
The former home and final resting place of the African-American intellectual who became a Ghanaian citizen and spent his last years in Accra. The small museum houses his personal library, papers, and photographs. Entry is 10 GHS. The center is in the Cantonments diplomatic neighborhood.
Beaches and Waterfront
Relax at Labadi Beach
Accra's most popular beach has a fenced-off section with loungers, bars, and reggae music on weekends. Entry to the maintained area costs 5-10 GHS. The beach gets lively on weekends with live bands and dancing. Horse riding on the beach is available for 30-50 GHS for a 20-minute ride.
Visit Kokrobite Beach for a laid-back vibe
This beach village 30 km west of Accra has a more relaxed atmosphere than Labadi, with backpacker guesthouses, drum circles, and local seafood restaurants. The Academy of African Music and Arts offers drumming and dancing lessons for 50-100 GHS per session. The beach is less maintained but more authentic.
Surf at Busua Beach in the Western Region
Ghana's best surf beach is a 5-hour drive west of Accra near Cape Coast. Consistent waves from August through March suit beginners and intermediate surfers. Surf lessons cost 100-150 GHS for 2 hours. The village has guesthouses and beach bars with a relaxed traveler community.
Markets and Shopping
Navigate the chaos of Makola Market
West Africa's largest open-air market fills several city blocks in central Accra with thousands of stalls selling fabric, electronics, household goods, and food. The textile section has the widest selection of wax print cloth in Ghana at 30-80 GHS per 6-yard piece. Go with a local guide to avoid getting disoriented.
Buy art at the Artists Alliance Gallery in Labadi
This cooperative of Ghanaian artists sells paintings, sculptures, textiles, and crafts directly from working studios. Prices are fair and negotiable. The gallery overlooks Labadi Beach and has a pleasant outdoor area. You can watch artists at work and commission custom pieces.
Shop for beads at the Koforidua Bead Market
Ghana has a centuries-old glass bead-making tradition. The Koforidua market, 90 minutes north of Accra, has the widest selection of Krobo beads, traded across West Africa for centuries. Strands cost 5-50 GHS depending on age and quality. Some vendors demonstrate the traditional bead-making process using recycled glass.
Food Experiences
Eat jollof rice at a local chop bar
Ghana's version of the famous West African one-pot rice dish is smoky, tomato-based, and fiercely debated with Nigeria as the best in the region. A plate with chicken at a chop bar costs 15-30 GHS. The smokiness comes from cooking over firewood. Every Ghanaian has an opinion on where to find the best jollof.
Try waakye for breakfast
This beloved Ghanaian dish of rice and beans cooked with dried millet leaf stalks has a distinctive reddish-brown color. Served with shito black pepper sauce, spaghetti, protein of your choice, and fried plantain. A full plate costs 10-25 GHS at street vendors and chop bars. The morning rush from 6-9 AM has the freshest batches.
Eat banku and tilapia at a local spot
Fermented corn and cassava dough served with grilled tilapia and pepper sauce is a classic Ghanaian combination. The fish is grilled whole over charcoal and served with ground pepper, onion, and tomato sauce. A full plate costs 25-50 GHS. The outdoor grilling spots in Osu have the best atmosphere.
Drink fresh coconut water and sobolo
Street vendors sell fresh young coconuts for 3-5 GHS, cracking them open with a machete on the spot. Sobolo is a bright red drink made from dried hibiscus flowers, ginger, and spices for 2-5 GHS. Both are refreshing in Accra's tropical heat. The combination makes a perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
Neighborhoods and Culture
Explore the Osu neighborhood for nightlife and dining
The Oxford Street area is Accra's most cosmopolitan strip with restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops. The evening scene picks up after 8 PM with live music venues and rooftop bars. International and Ghanaian restaurants have mains at 30-80 GHS. The street is walkable and well-lit at night.
Visit the National Museum of Ghana
This small museum near the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial has exhibits on Ghanaian history, ethnography, and traditional arts including Ashanti gold weights, kente cloth, and ceremonial regalia. Entry is 10 GHS. The collection is modest but provides essential context for understanding Ghanaian culture.
See a fantasy coffin workshop in Teshie
Ghanaian artisans in the Teshie neighborhood create elaborate coffins shaped like cars, fish, airplanes, cocoa pods, and mobile phones. Each coffin reflects the deceased's life or aspirations. Workshops welcome visitors and explain the tradition. Tip the artisans 20-50 GHS. The craftsmanship is extraordinary.
Attend a live music show in Accra
Accra has a thriving live music scene spanning highlife, Afrobeats, hip-life, and jazz. Venues in Osu, East Legon, and Airport City host local and international acts most weekends. Cover charges range from free to 50-100 GHS. The live highlife bands playing classic Ghanaian rhythms are not to be missed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Accra?
Three to five days covers the city highlights and a Cape Coast day trip. Spend one day on the historic sites and Jamestown, one day at the beach and markets, one day trip to Cape Coast and Elmina castles, and extra days for cooking classes, art tours, or Koforidua bead market visits.
What is the best time to visit Accra?
November through March is the dry season with hot temperatures around 28-33 degrees Celsius and harmattan winds bringing hazy but dry conditions. July and August are the coolest months at 24-28 degrees Celsius with light rain. The heaviest rains fall from April through June. Accra is warm year-round and the rain typically comes in short, heavy bursts.
Is Accra safe for tourists?
Accra is one of the safest capital cities in West Africa for tourists. Ghanaians are famously welcoming and the phrase 'Akwaaba' meaning welcome is everywhere. Petty theft can occur in crowded markets and at night. Use ride-hailing apps rather than informal taxis. Avoid walking alone on unlit streets after dark in less touristy neighborhoods.
How do you get around Accra?
Ride-hailing apps are the most convenient option, with most trips costing 15-40 GHS. Tro-tro shared minibuses are cheap at 2-5 GHS but crowded and routes are confusing for visitors. Accra's traffic is notoriously heavy, especially during morning and evening rush hours, so allow extra time. The city is spread out and not walkable between major areas, though individual neighborhoods like Osu are pleasant on foot.