What to do in Accra, Ghana

Accra is the bustling city and capital of Ghana. In many ways, it reminds me of Lagos but a much saner version. I actually had a list of what to do in Accra, Ghana but soon discarded it as I let myself enjoy some spontaneity on this trip.

This trip to Accra had been a long time in the making and we were just glad to finally be visiting. Recently, Accra has become the go to city in Africa for detty December and homecoming. With events like Afronation and Afrochella, Ghana is the place to be over Christmas period. However, there is so much more to Ghana than just visiting over Christmas so this travel guide will discuss the very best things to do in Accra, Ghana.

About Ghana

Ghana is located in West Africa and is Anglophone. It was formerly the British Colony of the Gold Coast (and referred to as the Gold Coast) until 1957 when they gained independence from Britain and became Republic of Ghana. Dr Kwame Nkrumah led their independence from Britain and he is known as the architect of the independent movement. Ghana is the second most populous country in West Africa (after Nigeria) and is still a member of the Commonwealth. It shares borders with Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Togo.

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What to do in Accra – within Accra

1. Sandbox Beach Club

For our beach club experience, my friend took us to Sandbox and it was so much fun. We were a party of 5 adults and 3 babies; and also met a friend there. The staff gave us a sea view cabana, which made for easy viewing of both the beach and the club. Sandbox is such a vibe and what I especially loved is that it welcomed everyone – from babies to toddlers to adults. The DJ was fantastic and played a range of afrobeats to amanpiano – just the best of African music.

We ordered so much food – seafood rice, burger sliders, pork ribs, chicken wings and a lot of cocktails. We spent just over 3 hours there and even watched the end of the sunset. I was hoping to catch the sunset on the beach but soon realised it set behind us. Otherwise, it was a pretty perfect welcome to Accra.

2. JamesTown

JamesTown is in Ga Mashie, the oldest district in Accra. It is referred to as “Old Accra” as it is the area that Accra’s oldest settlers originated from. Jamestown is also one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Accra; filled with dilapidated colonial buildings, that remind you of what was once a bustling slave port. We decided to do a guided tour and Humphrey from the Tourism Information Center was our guide. He took us on a historical tour from the dungeon where slaves would be forced into, to the lighthouse and then to James Fort where they’d be imprisoned and eventually sold. The experience was in equal parts fascinating and sad.

James Fort was built in 1673 as a trade post for slaves (and gold too). It was also where Kwame Nkrumah was imprisoned from 1950 to 1951 and we were shown his room. It served as a prison from the colonial period up until as recent as 2007.

3. Black Star Square

The square is possibly the most famous landmark in Accra and is also known as Independence Square. It often hosts the important national events such as the yearly independence celebrations and military parades.

The Ghanaian 1st Prime Minister, Kwame Nkrumah commissioned the construction of the square and it was completed in 1961. It represents the fight for independence and liberation of the Ghanaians from British rule.

The stadium is just next to it so it could be a 2 for 1 visit if interested in a stadium tour.

4. Accra Arts Center

For souvenir shopping, we headed to Accra Arts center on John Evans Atta Mills High Street. It is basically a market that sells any and everything you think a tourist would love to take back home. I ended up buying a table ornament and some woven bags I think will be perfect for my wardrobe. We went on a quiet afternoon and of course, as with African markets, you had sellers calling your attention to their wares. It can definitely get quite hectic but nothing one cannot handle.

Other places that we were going to visit but didn’t:

Kwame Nkrumah Square and Mausoleum – This was closed for refurbishments. We visited and the gates were closed. I even attempted to have a little peek but it looked like a building site so we took our L and went home. Maybe another time because this one was top of my list to visit.

Makola Market – We passed by a few times on our way to the arts center and Jamestown but we never went in. From outside, it looked so very much chaotic, just as I remembered Lagos markets when I was younger.

Osu Castle – I usually don’t have the stomach for visiting slavery related locations; they feel so depressing to me. However, Osu castle is right in the center of Accra and I thought I could check it out. The disappointment was that visitors were not allowed in for the duration I was in Accra. It seemed a meeting and refurbishments were going on for the whole month. I low key sighed in relief because heaven knows I was not prepared for it.

What to do in Accra, Ghana – The best day trips from Accra

A trip to Accra is incomplete without day trips just outside the city. There are a few to choose from and due to having Adanna on the trip, we stuck to trips under 2 hours from Accra. Accra is such a bustling hub that you forget that it is not the only place to see in Ghana. All day trips from Accra were organised by CyCy Travels. I have known about CyCy travels on Instagram for a few years and always knew that if I were ever in Ghana, my tours would be booked through them. We opted for private tours with pick up and drop off from where we stayed.

This list of best day trips from Accra will focus on the eastern region. We settled on this part of Ghana as it had some of the spots we were keen to see.

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Day trip from Accra to the Eastern Region

Aburi Botanical Garden

Aburi is just under an hour from Accra and is such a scenic and historic garden. We met our guide; Maxwell and he took us on a tour around the garden. There is so much history around the trees and we learnt about all the colonial houses. The botanical garden is currently used for botany research. It was opened in March 1890 after being a site of a sanatorium built in 1875.

Lunch (or a Day Pass) at Hillburi Resort

We absolutely loved this resort. Hillburi is in Aburi and is one of the prettiest resorts in Ghana. It is an escape in the mountains and due to where it is located, it is a popular site for baecations, weddings and of course, proposals. The garden is beautifully designed, the views over the mountains are epic and the food was so tasty. Mr E had jollof and lamb while I had tilapia fish and fried rice. We loved the alfresco seating with a view of the skyline in the distance.

It is one I highly recommend for a romantic or family friendly getaway. The fact that one can obtain a day pass for lunch, a swim and just to relax in the stunning resort is also a plus.

Asenema Waterfall

Visiting the Asenema waterfall was easily the highlight of our day. Asenema waterfall is a hidden gem in the rainforest of the Akuapem Hills. A lot of waterfalls require some amount of hiking but Asenema was a short 5 mins walk from the main road and it was beautiful. We were lucky, as it had rained a few days before so we met it on a really good day. The water is shallow so wading through to get close enough to the fall is easy. It was just such a beautiful waterfall and we were lucky to have it to ourselves the whole time we were there.

Day trip from Accra to Akosombo, Ghana

Our day trip from Accra to Akosombo, Ghana started at 11am when tour guide, Christiana picked us up. It was a 2-hour drive to Akosombo and the route is very scenic as with a lot of places outside of Accra.

The Royal Senchi Hotel and Resort

Well this was a wonderful surprise. Although we had our package explained beforehand, what we walked into was even more lush that I had expected. This resort is 4 star and very picturesque. It is basically an instagrammer’s dream especially with the blue skies as backdrop. We had a really yummy lunch and then it was time for the highlight of the day – the boat cruise.

What to do in Accra, Ghana – Restaurants in Accra

Being one who will stick to familiar foods, I was not particularly seeking out Ghanaian restaurants to try Ghanaian foods. Since we stayed at our friend’s house, we ate most of our meals at home and I did try banku, kelewele and Ghanaian jollof. My belly could not take the other popular foods like Waakye and Kenkey but when we went out a few times, we hit gold each time. All the restaurants we visited were hits and I’m now convinced that Accra has no bad restaurant.

Bondai

Bondai is possibly one of the most famous restaurants in Accra so we thought to visit for a late brunch. It is located in Osu; the corner of 14th lane and Dadebu street. It serves a generous menu of Mediterranean and Japanese dishes. The ambiance was lovely and my club sandwich was just ok. I felt like I had eaten better club sandwiches. However, we had some small dishes, which we loved – crab & pork tempura roll, shrimp tempura and fries. Mr E’s prawn curry and rice was lovely as well and my milkshake was perfect.

Shogun

My friend had spoken about Shogun and how pretty the restaurant was so we decided to try it out for our friend’s birthday dinner. Shogun is located in Cantonments, which is an affluent area in Accra. It serves an “authentic Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese cuisines” We did the hibachi seating and ordered beef, prawns, vegetables and rice. Everything was SO yummy. I ordered a drink, which I think, was called the Zombie and it was such a refreshing mocktail. Mr E stuck to Gin & tonic, which he enjoyed.

La Gardenia

We visited La Gardenia for brunch and it was a really lovely restaurant also located in Cantonments. It is the latest brunch spot and we managed to get a table on the first day as one of their first guests. The aesthetic is very tropical green with a hint of bougainvillea. We took a chance going here, as we had no idea if the food was good but we enjoyed it. I’d say it is pricier than I had expected but I suppose they are trying to place themselves in the luxury restaurant space. We ordered English breakfast, chicken & waffles and some French toast. La Gardenia offered us complimentary champagne, which was a lovely touch.

What to do in Accra, Ghana – Nightlife in Accra

I actually crack myself up writing this section because nightlife is not my thing at all. My friend asked the last time I went out at night and it took me a few minutes to remember. Anyway, we went out and I will tell you all about it.

Level Up Bar

Now this was a cute bar located on top of popular nightclub, Twist. On Wednesdays, it’s karaoke night and there is a discount on drinks for ladies. It was such a lovely night of belting out tunes at the top of our voices, drinking shots, cocktails and eating small bites. I could not resist giving them some Adele, Spice Girls, Ellie Goulding and of course, Ed Sheeran. I found the food quite reasonable priced; infact, the cheapest so far in Accra.

SkyBar 25

This hot spot is located in the tallest building in West Africa so it offers amazing views of Accra’s spectacular skyline. We went on a night out and had so much fun. It was my best friend’s birthday night celebration so we had a table and some of our other friends attended as well. We danced, had champagne to toast and I drank a bit too much lol. It was definitely one of those unforgettable nights and I’m happy my friends “forced” me to go out.

FAQS

What do I wear in Ghana?

Light clothes. The weather is hot and breathable fabrics are best worn throughout the year. Linen, silk, cotton are some of the materials I wore when I visited.

When is the best time to visit Accra, Ghana?

The best time to visit Ghana is between September and March as it is a little cooler than the April to August. I went in May and there was a heat wave so it was exceptionally hot. If you don’t mind the heat, Ghana can be an all year round destination as there is air conditioning everywhere.

Is Ghana expensive?

Yes. That is the short answer. Things are priced in dollars, which makes it more expensive for those living in the country. However, for foreigners visiting from England, the US or Canada, it should be on par with what you’d normally spend.

Is Ghana safe for solo travellers?

Yes, it is safe for solo travellers. In my opinion, it is one of the safest countries to visit in West Africa. Accra is a very friendly city and anyone should feel safe travelling around.

Do I need a visa for Ghana?

If you have an ECOWAS passport, no visa is required. However if travelling on a British or US or Canadian passport, a visa is required.

My thoughts on Travelling to Accra, Ghana

Accra is a wonderful place to visit in West Africa. It is not lost on me that a lot of the luxury hotels and resorts sit in the middle of poor villages. I think Ghana as a whole is tailoring its experiences to foreigners as its tourist industry grows. There is also a massive influx of foreigners who seem to now be settling in Ghana; thereby driving the cost of living for the average Ghanaian up. Basically, Ghanaians are being priced out of their own country and tbh, this was sad to witness. This is what tourism does in developing countries like Indonesia (think Bali). I do not have the answers to how travel can be done more sustainably but what I try to do is to use and work with locals whenever I visit a country. It is not enough but it is a start.

We stayed with my best friend, Adaku and her family in a really lovely part of Accra. I’m so thankful for the hospitality as it made our trip a million times more fun and personal. Our best friend, Nneka joined us on the 2nd half of the trip from Lagos and we had the most wonderful time. She was there for her birthday so the first part of my trip was to sightsee and the 2nd part was to have fun with my girls. The last time I lived in the same city with my best friends was over 15 years ago when we were in high school; so this was as much a reunion for us as it was yet another trip.

See you again, Accra!

Bisous, Bugo x