Greater Accra · prices verified 2026-06-09
Things to do in Accra, Ghana
Accra is West Africa's most exciting capital right now. Jamestown fishing-harbour history, Makola market chaos, world-class nightlife and a booming food scene all sit within one traffic-snarled, music-filled sprawl.
This guide is written and kept current by GuideX, the experiences marketplace built in Accra. The picks below come from the local hosts who run tours here every week.
The essentials
1. Jamestown & the lighthouse
Accra's oldest district: colonial-era streets, the fishing harbour below the lighthouse, boxing gyms that produced world champions, and mural-covered walls from the Chale Wote festival. Best experienced on a walking tour with a local: Jamestown is a living neighbourhood, not a museum.
Walking tours typically run Saturdays from ~2pm
2. Makola Market
The commercial heart of Accra, selling everything from kente and beads to smoked fish and spare parts across blocks of organised chaos. Go with a guide who knows the traders; it transforms the experience (and your street-food confidence).
3. Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Mausoleum
The resting place of Ghana's first president and the symbolic heart of African independence, recently renovated with a museum of Nkrumah's life.
4. Independence Square & Black Star Gate
Accra's monumental parade ground on the seafront. The Black Star Gate is the photo every visitor wants, and the square anchors national celebrations.
5. W.E.B. Du Bois Centre
The home, library and grave of the great pan-Africanist scholar, who moved to Accra at Nkrumah's invitation. A quiet, moving stop on any heritage itinerary.
6. Osu: Oxford Street & Osu Castle
Accra's busiest entertainment strip: bars, lounges, street food and shops, with 17th-century Osu Castle (Fort Christiansborg) at the seafront end. Come back after dark; Accra's nightlife regularly tops 'best in Africa' lists.
7. Labadi Beach
The city beach: horse rides, live drumming, beach bars and weekend parties. Lively rather than pristine; for quieter sand, head west to Bojo or Kokrobite.
8. Accra's food scene
Waakye breakfasts, Makola street snacks, Jamestown seafood, high-end Ghanaian fine dining: a hosted food tour is the fastest way in. Don't leave without trying kelewele, jollof and fresh kenkey.
Bookable experiences in Accra
Live availability, hosted by ID-verified locals.
Go beyond Accra
Aburi Botanical Gardens
Cool hills, towering palms and craft markets, 45–90 minutes from the city. Accra's classic half-day escape.
Shai Hills Resource Reserve
Baboons, antelope and ancestral caves an hour east of Accra. It's the closest safari-style outing to the capital.
Boti Falls & Umbrella Rock
Twin waterfalls and a gravity-defying rock lookout in the Eastern Region. A full-day trip that pairs well with Aburi.
Cape Coast & Elmina
The UNESCO-listed castles and Kakum's canopy walk are 3–4 hours west: doable as a long day trip, better as an overnight. See our Cape Coast guide.
When to go
Accra is a year-round city. October–March is the dry season (best weather); December is peak: the 'December in GH' season packs the city with diaspora visitors, festivals and parties, and prices rise to match. April–June and September–November are quieter and cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Accra?
Two to three full days covers the classic sights (Jamestown, Makola, Nkrumah Memorial, Du Bois Centre, a beach afternoon and a night out in Osu). Add a day for an Aburi or Shai Hills trip, and more if you're using Accra as a base for Cape Coast.
Is Accra safe for tourists?
Accra is one of West Africa's safer capitals, and most visits are trouble-free with normal precautions: use registered taxis or Uber/Bolt at night, keep valuables out of sight in markets and on beaches, and be alert in heavy traffic. The US advisory for Ghana is Level 2 ('exercise increased caution').
Is Uber available in Accra?
Yes. Both Uber and Bolt operate widely in Accra and are the easiest way to get around. Drivers often prefer cash (cedi) even when the app offers card payment.
What is the best beach near Accra?
Labadi is the lively city beach; Bojo Beach (a short canoe ride across the Densu estuary) is cleaner and calmer; Kokrobite, 30km west, has the backpacker-and-reggae vibe, especially on weekends.
What should I eat in Accra?
Jollof rice (obviously), waakye for breakfast, kelewele (spiced fried plantain) after dark, kenkey with fried fish and pepper, and red-red (bean stew). A hosted street-food tour around Makola or Jamestown is the safest, tastiest crash course.