All citiesAccra Things to do and walking itinerary
Ghana Accra travel guide
13 things to do in Accra, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Accra
- Osu Castle — coastal castle in Osu, Accra, Ghana, built by Denmark-Norway in the 1660s as a slave-trading fort; served as capital of the Danish Gold Coast and later as British colonial seat of government; UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 (visit ≈ 75 min)
- National Museum of Ghana — material cultural heritage site in Ghana (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Black Star Square — square in Ghana (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum — location of Kwame Nkrumah's tomb (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Ghana National Mosque — mosque in Ghana (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ussher Fort — former colonial fortified trading post in Ghana (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Black Star Gate — monument in Ghana (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Fort James — material cultural heritage site in Ghana (visit ≈ 60 min)
- National Theatre of Ghana — theatre in Accra, Ghana (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Holy Trinity Cathedral — building in Ghana (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Accra Ghana Temple — building in Ghana (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Holy Spirit Cathedral (Accra) — building in Ghana (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Independence Arch — Ahofadi Arch (visit ≈ 15 min)
2-day Accra walking itinerary
Starting point: Osu. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 9.4 km · 12,690 steps · 2 h 6 min on the way): Osu Castle → Black Star Square → Black Star Gate → Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum → Holy Trinity Cathedral
- Day 2 (≈ 8.6 km · 11,600 steps · 1 h 55 min on the way): National Theatre of Ghana → National Museum of Ghana → Accra Ghana Temple
Where to stay in Accra
- Osu: Restaurants, bars and nightlife around Oxford Street.
- Airport Residential / Cantonments: Near the airport, calm and safe; good hotels.
- East Legon: Modern residential area with a growing café scene.
- Labadi: Large hotels near the beach; lively at weekends.
Getting from the airport to Accra
- Kotoka (ACC): No practical public transport; taxi, Uber or Bolt to Osu ≈ 20–30 min.
Getting around
Tro-tro minibuses are cheap but confusing; Uber and Bolt are widely used. At night always call a car by app.
Classic places to eat
- Buka Restaurant: Ghanaian and West African dishes in Osu; jollof and banku.
- Asanka Local: Local food, live music and a relaxed vibe.
- Skybar 25: Cocktail bar on the 25th floor with city views.
- Jamestown Café: Café and art space in Jamestown with sea views.
- Bistro 22: Long-running, relaxed bistro with European and Ghanaian flavours.
Romantic views
- Labadi Beach (Sunset): Sunset on the Atlantic sands with music and waves.
- Jamestown Lighthouse (Sunset): The lighthouse area above the boat-filled shore is striking at sunset.
- Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park (Afternoon): Fountain gardens and the memorial make for a calm late-afternoon walk.
- Achimota Forest (Early morning): Forest trails inside the city are cool and quiet in the morning.
Football stadiums in Accra
- Accra Sports Stadium: Home of Accra Hearts of Oak SC
Good to know before visiting Accra
- Fine: Photographing military sites, airports, bridges and government buildings is prohibited.
- Warning: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required on entry.
- Warning: Same-sex relations are criminalised; check official travel advice.
- Warning: Malaria is a risk; ask your doctor about prevention and use repellent.
- Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often; check official government sources before you travel.
- Use your right hand to greet and to give or receive things.
- Emergency: 112 (police 191, ambulance 193, fire 192)
- Plugs: D/G, 230V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Ghana, Wikivoyage — Ghana, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Accra travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Accra?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.
- What are the top things to do in Accra?
- Highlights: Osu Castle, National Museum of Ghana, Black Star Square, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Ghana National Mosque. The map has 13 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Accra?
- Osu: Restaurants, bars and nightlife around Oxford Street. Other options: Airport Residential / Cantonments, East Legon and Labadi.
- How do you get from the airport to Accra city centre?
- Kotoka (ACC): No practical public transport; taxi, Uber or Bolt to Osu ≈ 20–30 min.
- How do you get around Accra?
- Tro-tro minibuses are cheap but confusing; Uber and Bolt are widely used. At night always call a car by app.
- What is the emergency number in Accra?
- Emergency: 112 (police 191, ambulance 193, fire 192).
- Do you tip in Accra?
- About 10% is customary.
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