Book flights to Accra (ACC)

Book your visit to Accra

As soon as you land in Accra, you know you’re in Africa. The colours, smells and exhilarating lifestyle capture the spirit of a truly exciting city. Accra is Ghana’s capital and welcomes visitors with open arms and huge smiles. Famous for its live music and cultural complexity, it introduces you to the captivating energy of the African continent.

Accra’s an intoxicating blend of African and European cultures, and you’ll hear French spoken as often as English. The markets heave with people, while the city’s beaches remind you that Accra is also a very popular beach destination.

Discover the historic side of Ghana’s capital city with explorations of Jamestown, or dine in style on Omanye Street, where the cool sea breeze drives away the heat and dust of the day.

Things to do in Accra

Explore the magnificent Osu Castle, one of the Gold Coast’s most important trading posts and a key location in the history of the country. To see how the country has developed, a trip to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park is essential. The museum tells you the story of the remarkable man who was Ghana’s first prime minister.

To find out about the biodiversity of the region, visit Aburi Botanical Gardens, which covers 160 acres and is about half an hour’s drive from the capital. Look out for old buildings that have been allowed to return to nature, and hooded vultures circling on the warm air currents.

Labadi Beach beckons, and is hugely popular with both locals and visitors. Here, you can go on a pony ride, or watch the street performers, acrobats and drummers, before cooling off with a paddle in the ocean.

Activities in Accra

If you feel like a bit of an adrenaline buzz, head to La Raceway, a go-kart circuit and entertainment centre. It’s a great destination for a family afternoon out and has an excellent child-friendly restaurant.

For the ultimate Ghanaian experience, join the heaving crowds of Makola Market. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find it here, and experience the excitement of an authentic market.

Go a little off the beaten track and explore Jamestown’s harbour, just down the road from the famous Jamestown lighthouse. This is where you’ll find old stone houses and hidden alleyways.

A visit to the National Museum is well worthwhile, combined with a trip to the Dubois Centre For Pan African Culture, where you can browse exhibits and find out more about this famous scholar.

Food in Accra

Ghanaian food is delicious and unique, with the occasional French and even Danish influence thrown in to keep things interesting. Jollof is a spicy dish of rice, tomatoes and grilled chicken with a shrimp-pepper sauce called shito. The most common fish dishes involve tilapia, served with banku, a dumpling made from fermented corn and cassava.

If you prefer a vegan option, kontomire stew is made from the leaves of the cocoyam tuber, which tastes similar to spinach. And if you want a spicy treat on the go, look for street vendors selling kelewele, a crispy fried plantain snack.

For the trendiest restaurants, head to the suburb of Osu, where you’ll find plenty of eateries serving a wide variety of African and international food. Or visit the harbour for fresh fish caught that day.

Shopping in Accra

At least one visit to Makola Market is a must, just to say you’ve been! If you prefer air-conditioned comfort when shopping, Accra Mall offers plenty of outlets, a large food court and a cinema playing the latest blockbusters.

If you want to see artisan crafts and artwork, the Centre for National Culture is a wonderfully colourful and eclectic arts and crafts market that feels a little more relaxed than Makola. Or stroll around the stalls at the Tetteh Quarshie Art Market, one of the best places to buy work from local artists and craftspeople.

For a leisurely shopping experience, Achimota Retail Centre has plenty of parking as well as lots of independent outlets selling fashion, jewellery, and electronics.