Planning your trip to Accra has never been this easy in a long time. In this complete Accra City Guide, GH Info Site brings to you exciting places to visit and fun things to do during your short stay in Accra.

Ghana’s capital city is like a squid that never stops growing. From a tiny coastal settlement in Jamestown, the city has evolved into a large sprawling capital with hidden gems and exciting locations. All along the coast and farther into the inner city, Accra has spectacular places of interest for tourists and the casual traveller looking to unwind. 

Reinvent yourself by the city’s beaches, explore the bubbling Jamestown township, move to the rhythmic blues of Accra’s nightlife along Osu’s Oxford Street, and absorb the amazing, even if chaotic, lifestyle of Accra’s life.

What is Accra best known for?

Accra is perfect for its entertaining nightlife and delicious street food. From the exciting spots in Osu to the myriad of local food joints that work well into the wee hours of the morning, there is no shortage of excitement for those on a vacation in Accra.

Accra has a thriving art community. Many of Ghana’s contemporary galleries are located in this coastal city. Craft items, sculptures, glass beads and leather bracelets are some of the gift items you’ll find during your shopping in Accra.

What is the best time to go to Accra?

Accra is a tropical city with a short rainy season and a longer dry season. The best time to come to Accra is between October and April. If you plan to visit Accra in September, be prepared to wear a raincoat for the slight showers. Pack warm clothes too if you live on a beachfront property during your short stay in Accra.

Does Accra Have a beach?

Accra’s famous beaches to include in your plannned visit to Ghana:

Kokrobite Beach

Labadi Beach

Prampram Beach.

Accra has some gorgeous beaches for those looking to unwind in the capital after a hectic day. Whether on a holiday or weekend, the beaches are open and full of activities like horse riding as well as music and dancing. You can even catch a surf during your stay in Accra.

Places of Interest in Accra | Where to Go

Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Circle)

Kwame Nkrumah Mausloeum

Jamestown

Makola

Accra Arts Centre

Osu Oxford Centre

Accra has an amazing atmosphere for families and solo travellers. If you are planning to travel to Accra, these are some of the exciting places of interest to visit. 

Go to Circle (Kwame Nkrumah Interchange)

The business district surrounding the large three-tier interchange named after Kwame Nkrumah is one of the busiest spots in Accra. A large Nkrumah statue stands guard by an elaborate fountain. Referred by locals simply as Circle, the area has perhaps the largest collection of tech shops in Accra and Ghana on its Tip Toe Lane.

Tip Toe Lane is a sliver of street that leads to Accra New Town. It’s jam packed with vendors selling all manner of smartphones and gadgets from a display tray. The colourful umbrellas beneath which these vendors make trade can be quite a sight for the first time traveller to Accra.

Be careful though, as some of Circle’s roamers could be quite picky! Always go with a local guide to get the best deals for your short stay in Accra.

Circle is where all the roads lead to the rest of Accra. Trotros, taxis, and rental cars in Ghana can reach all the more important parts of the city via one out of the routes leading out of the Circle interchange.

Circle should definitely be part of your plan if you travelling to Accra for the first time. You get to se first hand how people make sense of the chaos.

Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum

Seeing the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum should be part of your plan to visit Accra. Located right on the coast and along the Evans Atta Mills Highway, the mausoleum holds the mortal remains of Ghana’s first president and pioneer of pan africanism. The memorial park within which the mausoleum is located is spacious and large for a short relaxation after a day of hiking Accra’s best places.

Visit Jamestown

Jamestown is Accra’s oldest neighbourhood. Rumours have it that this little Ga town is the cornerstone of what would become Ghana’s capital. A trip to Jamestown is a trip down memory lane. 

Here’s where you’ll find the Deo Gratias Photo Studio where you can find old photographs of what life in the Gold Coast was truly like. The large yellow Brazil House where self-liberated Brazilians settled upon their return is also in Jamestown.

In addition to the historic Ussher and James Forts, you will find amazing contemporary spaces teaming with Accra’s restless artists. The Jamestown fishing harbour and its scenic views of the sea and colourful canoes are just a couple of turns away. 

If you miss everything during your short stay in Accra, never miss a trip to Jamestown.

Makola

Located at the heart of Accra’s central business district, Makola is among the busiest locations in the whole of West Africa. It is a walking distance from the Judicial Service, right opposite the Ghana School of Law, and not far from the sea.

But it is its milling mass of peoples that make Makola the heart throb of the country. You can find almost anything to buy in Makola. From luggages to walking shoes for your short stay in Accra, to local foodstuff to try your own homemade Ghanaian dish, there are street hawkers and shops to satisfy your cravings.

Plan your trip to Accra around some of its famous commercial districts. The fun part of visitng Makola is that you get to explore other traditional and historic spaces like Jamestown, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, and the Accra Arts Centre (if it’s there when you get there).

Accra Arts Centre (Centre for National Culture)

Until The Arts Centre is moved, it is located cheek and jowl by the mausoleum. Discover amazing African handicrafts and art accessories designed and built by local artisans. From drums, bracelets, and print fabrics, the art centre gives you a real taste of Africa. Get yourself a memento to remind you of when you last visited Ghana, the Gateway to Africa.

A shopping spree in Ghana should start with a visit to the Accra Arts Centre. There’s so much to choose from even for the first time traveller to Ghana. Experienced shoppers know to delve deeper into the shopping centre to the stalls located the rear. The most exciting handicrafts in Ghana and on the continent are located here. 

Make sure to include the Accra Arts Centre in your itinerary as you plan your trip to Accra.

Osu Oxford Street

Osu is where the cool cats come to enjoy the night. Its vibrant nightlife complete with some of Ghana’s best street foods and music displays make it different from other neighbourhoods around Accra.

But even during the day, the town is bustling with art souvenir hawkers and brilliant displays of creative talents. There are amazing restaurants along that street, with mid-sized hotels springing up to cater to many tourists visiting Accra.

You can find the ANO Institute of Arts and Knowledge here, as well as many other places of interest in Ghana.

First time travellers to Accra and Osu should not be surprised at the hospitality along Oxford Street. The city is filled with amazing people always eager to offer help. But with so many people calling you, it can become frustrating. The best thing to do during your short stay in Accra is to hire a local guide to take you through hectic Oxford Street.

What to Do in Accra

There is a lot to do in Accra. If you are visiting Accra for a good time, then check your bucket list for any of these activities.

Horse riding

Theatres and galleries

Hiking and safaris

Trotro ride

Historical trip

Beach drive

Cheer the horses

An unexpected addition to your planned trip to Accra is a sample of horse stables in Ghana. Accra offers a unique selection of equestrian services. 

The Accra Accra Polo Club offers horse riding services for eager learners. The club offers regular local and international squash and polo competitions. It is located only a short drive from the airport.

There is also the military-run Burma Camp Saddle Club that offers regular horse riding lessons in Ghana. Others like Outline Surveys Equestrian offer morning and evening trail riding along select locations.

Whatever you do, try to squeeze horse riding into your activities during your short stay in Accra. It is an exciting way to unwind. The exhilarating experience is healthy, keeps you one with nature, and is the right place to make beautiful friendships.

Plan your trip to Accra accordingly!

Go on a hiking safari

Be one with nature with a visit to some of Accra’s favourite yet secluded wildlife destinations. 

Get closeup with the native baboons during an early morning visit to the Shai Hills. As the sun arches up the sky, follow a hiking trail across the 7 hills that make up Shai, counting birds and spotting wildlife.

A trip to Sakumono Lagoon is the perfect way to enjoy dozens of bird species in their natural habitat. Nesting marine birds escaping the European winter come here to brood and to get some air.

Cap your vacation in Accra with a trip to the Legon Botanical Gardens for an exciting day-long adventure. Don’t miss the chance to engage in canopy walks, canoeing, cycling, and other exciting exhilarating activities. Finish off with a hearty meal at the garden’s restaurant. After all, eating healthy delicious Ghanaian food should be part of your planned visit to Accra.

Enjoy Theatre and Galleries

Travelling to Accra is the ultimate opportunity to witness a burgeoning art scene. Art exhibitions take place on a regular basis. There are curated experiences at Gallery 1957, ANO Institute of Arts and Knowledge, and Nubuke Foundation. 

Artists Alliance Gallery hosts the largest art gallery in West Africa right along the coast. Free for all, you get to marvel at a curation of splendid art pieces, painted works, ceramics, sculptures, wooden crafts by traditional and contemporary artists.

Meanwhile, the National Theatre continues to showcase some of the country’s daring shows since its inception in 1992. Telling your own story has never been more important. That is why it’s critical to include the National Theatre as part of things to do in Accra whether you are an experienced nomad or visiting Ghana for the first time

Hop on a trotro

You can’t come to Ghana and not take a trotro ride. The ubiquitous commercial vans ply specific routes throughout the country. In Accra, you can hitch a ride at the cheapest fares to almost any part of the city. 

Get a local guide to show you which car to board during your stay in Accra. If you are alone, the driver’s assistant (mate) and Accra’s welcoming populace will be ready to show you which bus stop will take you closer to your destination.

Note that no matter how you plan your trip to Accra, a trotro will always follow its own time and schedule. It means you should leave home early if you wish to get to your destination on time. More often than not, there is a lot to see and experience during your trotro trip. Catch a gossip here and there, discover a new music playlist from the blaring speakers, and find a medication to cure every illness from the random drug sellers on board.

Relive History

Contemporary Accra grew out of the ashes of a nasty colonial past. To get a true appreciation of what it was like in Gold Coast, visit the Black Star Square which sits right by the Guinea Coast when you travel to Accra. The high Black Star Gateway ushers you into a new era.

A short trip to Osu will bring you to the Christiansborg Castle which served as a seat of colonial and Ghanaian governments. These days, you will find the seat of government at the stool-shaped presidential palace on the liberation road on the site of the former Flagstaff House.

Unwind at the Beach

If you are in Accra for a good time, then the city’s beaches will offer a remarkable relaxing experience. Labadi is the most popular beach in Ghana. Open throughout the year, Labadi’s biggest draw is the weekend jams that last well into the night.

For a more relaxing feel, the Prampram beach, only an hour’s drive from the city centre, is the place to be. Even better if you rent a space among some of its new seafront apartments.

Plan your Accra travel now

Now is the best time to plan your trip to Accra. With amazing people, rich expressive culture, and countless places of interest to visit, Accra is a gem so often left unpolished. Prepare your application for a Ghana visa to explore this beautiful city.