Accra Travel Guide

Best Seasons

Dry Season (December-February) is ideal with warm, sunny weather and minimal rain. This is peak tourist season with comfortable conditions for sightseeing and beach activities.

Harmattan Season (December-February) brings cool, dry trade winds from the Sahara, lowering temperatures and humidity. Excellent for outdoor activities and exploration.

Minor Dry Season (August-September) offers another good window with less rain, though humidity remains moderate.

Avoid

Rainy Seasons (May-June and September-October) bring heavy downpours, flooding, and increased humidity. Not ideal for beach visits or extensive sightseeing.

Temperature Guide

Getting Around Accra

Taxis: Metered taxis (white and red) are widely available. Negotiate fares beforehand if no meter. Generally affordable and reliable for local travel.

Ride-sharing Apps: Uber and Bolt operate in Accra with fixed pricing via app. Safer and more reliable than street hailing, though slightly more expensive.

Tro-Tro (Minibuses): Colorfully decorated minibuses serving fixed routes. Cheapest option but crowded and infrequent, not recommended for first-time visitors.

Car Rental: International agencies available at airport. Hiring a driver is recommended for safety and navigation. Ghana drives on the right; it switched from left-hand to right-hand traffic in 1974.

✈️ Airport Transfer

The airport is about 10 km from the city centre. Options include airport taxis, ride-sharing, or hotel arrangements. Journey takes 15-30 minutes depending on traffic.

Long Distance Travel

Intercity buses connect Accra to other cities. Companies like STC, Ashanti, and Ayoba operate regular routes to Cape Coast, Kumasi, and other destinations.

What to Buy

Traditional Crafts: Wood carvings, kente cloth, beadwork, masks, and sculptures are quintessential Ghanaian souvenirs. Quality varies; established shops offer better pieces.

Textiles & Clothing: Ghana's vibrant fabrics (kente, adire, printed wax cloth) are beautiful for clothing, home décor, or gifts. Seamstresses can create custom pieces.

Food & Spices: Cocoa products, shea butter, traditional spices, and foods like plantain chips make excellent gifts.

Jewelry: Bead necklaces, brass items, and contemporary jewelry showcase local craftsmanship.

Haggling Tips

In traditional markets, haggling is expected and part of the culture. Start at 50-70% of asking price and work toward agreement. Be respectful and enjoy the banter. Street vendors expect negotiation; prices in malls and established shops are fixed.

Best Shopping Areas

Makola Market: Authentic, diverse selection, requires haggling
Oxford Street (Osu): Upscale, fixed prices, quality goods
Accra Mall: Modern shopping, fixed prices, international brands

Annual Events

Aboakyer Festival (May) - Fante traditional festival in Winneba celebrating the 'deer hunt' with parades, music, and cultural ceremonies.

The National Commission on Culture lists Bakatue for the first Tuesday in July. - Fante festival in Elmina marking the opening of the lagoon for fishing, featuring processions and celebrations.

Akwambo is celebrated by Agona and Gomoa communities in the Central Region; it is not a Ga festival in Accra. Dates vary by community.

Homowo Festival (August/September) - Ga festival meaning 'hooting at hunger,' celebrating the harvest with festivities, parades, and traditional meals.

National Holidays

Independence Day (March 6): National celebration with parades and events
As of 2026, Ghana’s government had restored Founder’s Day to September 21: Honoring Ghana's founders
Labour Day (May 1): Celebration of workers
Christmas (December 25): Major Christian celebration

Islamic Holidays

Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha dates vary yearly. Ghana's Muslim communities celebrate with prayers, family gatherings, and community events.

Day 1: Historic Accra & Independence

Morning (8am-12pm): Visit Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum & National Park. Explore the gardens, learn about Ghana's first president and independence movement. Have breakfast at a nearby café. (2 hours)
Lunch (12-1pm): Eat at a local restaurant trying jollof rice or waakye.
Afternoon (1-5pm): Stroll Independence Avenue seeing government buildings, monuments, and contemporary Accra architecture. Visit photo-worthy spots and street art. (2 hours)
Evening: Dinner at a rooftop restaurant with city views.

Day 2: Castles & Colonial History

Morning (8am-12pm): Take guided tour of Osu Castle (Christiansborg Castle), exploring the dungeons and museum exhibits about the slave trade. Emotional but essential experience. (2 hours)
Lunch (12-1pm): Rest and eat at a beachside café.
Afternoon (2-5pm): Explore historic Jamestown district with local guide. Visit fishing harbor, old colonial buildings, mosque. Experience authentic Accra street life. (2 hours)
Evening: Watch sunset at Labadi Beach with street food and drinks.

Day 3: Markets, Culture & Nature

Morning (8am-11am): Navigate Makola Market with guide or seller contact. Explore textiles, crafts, spices. Practice haggling and shop for souvenirs. (2 hours)
Late Morning (11am-1pm): Browse Oxford Street (Osu) for quality crafts and art at established galleries.
Lunch (1-2pm): Upscale restaurant in Osu.
Afternoon (2-5pm): Visit National Museum of Ghana or contemporary art gallery. Learn about Ghanaian culture and history. (2 hours)
Evening: Dinner and nightlife in Osu.

Day 4: Beaches & Relaxation

Morning (9am-12pm): Relax at Labadi Beach. Swim, sunbathe, enjoy vendor activities.
Lunch (12-1pm): Beach bar with seafood or grilled meats.
Afternoon (2-5pm): Alternative: Visit Teshie Beach for more local fishing village atmosphere.
Late Afternoon (4-6pm): Explore beach bars and local shops.
Evening: Sunset dinner along the coast.

Day 5: Day Trip to Elmina or Kakum

Option A - Elmina & Cape Coast Castles: Full day excursion (130km). Guided tours of UNESCO World Heritage castles, beach time, lunch in Cape Coast, return by evening. (Full day)
Option B - Kakum National Park: Full day drive (160km). Hike canopy walkway 40m above rainforest, nature walks, bird watching, return by evening. (Full day)

Best Instagram & Photography Locations

Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum (Early Morning) - Golden light on the dome and manicured gardens creates stunning compositions. Visit 6-7am before crowds for best photography. Dramatic angles from the base looking up at the dome.

Independence Avenue (Late Afternoon) - Tree-lined boulevard with monuments, street art, and colonial architecture. Golden hour (5-6pm) provides warm, directional light. Great for architectural and street photography.

Jamestown District (Morning or Golden Hour) - Colorful fishing boats, narrow streets, colonial buildings, and vibrant local life. Early morning (6-8am) captures authentic moments and morning light on architecture. Very photogenic for documentary and street photography.

Labadi Beach (Sunset) - Golden hour (5-6:30pm) creates stunning ocean colors and silhouettes. Beach vendors, crowds, and local activity provide human interest. Bring tripod for sunset shots.

Black Star Square (Any Time) - Iconic monument with clean geometric shapes. Visit mid-morning for minimal shadows, or late afternoon for side-lighting on the monument.

Osu/Oxford Street (Late Afternoon) - Colorful colonial buildings, tree-lined streets, shops, and galleries. Late afternoon light creates interesting shadows and warm tones on architecture. Good for architectural and street photography.

Accra Skyline (Blue Hour) - Photograph from elevated locations (rooftop bars, balconies) at dusk as city lights illuminate. Best 20-30 minutes after sunset for blue hour shots.

Teshie Beach (Morning) - Fishing boats launching at dawn, authentic village atmosphere, less crowded. Golden light on the ocean and interesting compositions with traditional boats.

Voltage & Frequency

Voltage: 230 volts
Frequency: 50 Hz

Plug Types

Ghana uses Type G plugs (three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern, used in UK/Ireland). Some older buildings may have Type D (three circular pins).

Adapter Information

Visitors from North America will need voltage converters (230V to 110V) for appliances, plus Type G adapters. European devices typically work fine with just an adapter. Power adapters are widely available at Kotoka Airport and electronics shops.

Power Reliability

Power outages ("dumsor" - literally "on/off") can occur during peak hours. Keep devices fully charged. Hotels and businesses have generators. Power is generally stable in central Accra but less reliable in other areas.

Charging Recommendations

Most accommodations have USB charging ports and adapters available. Battery banks are useful for mobile devices. Some cafes and restaurants provide free charging.

Must-Try Ghanaian Dishes

Jollof Rice - Fragrant, one-pot rice dish cooked in tomato sauce with vegetables and meat. A staple across West Africa that Ghanaians are proud of.

Fufu & Light Soup - Pounded plantains and cassava served with flavorful soup containing meat, fish, and vegetables. A traditional comfort food and cultural experience.

Waakye - Rice and beans cooked together, served with spicy sauce, boiled eggs, and fried plantains. Popular street food breakfast.

Grilled Fish - Fresh-caught grilled tilapia or mackerel seasoned with spices and served with fried plantains and coleslaw.

Akple - Cornmeal dumpling served with okra soup or light soup. Comfort food particularly in the Volta region.

Banku & Tilapia - Cornmeal and cassava paste served with grilled fish and vegetables. Popular at riverside restaurants.

Peanut Butter Soup - Rich soup made with peanut paste, meat, and vegetables. Warming and flavorful.

Plantain Chips (Kelewele) - Fried spiced plantain snack, crispy and mildly spicy. Perfect street food or snack.

Dining Tips

Street Food: Popular options include grilled meats, waakye, fried plantains, and roasted corn. Hygiene varies; popular stalls usually indicate fresh, good food.
Restaurants: Fine dining options available in Osu and major hotels. Mid-range restaurants throughout Accra offer authentic Ghanaian cuisine at reasonable prices.
Safety: Stick to cooked food, avoid raw salads unless in upscale establishments. Bottled water is recommended.
Meals: Lunch (1-2pm) is the main meal. Dinner is lighter. Business hours sometimes close 3-5pm between lunch and dinner.