Cape Coast
Cape Coast’s imposing, whitewashed castle commands the heart of town, overlooking the sea. Once one of the world's most important slave-holding sites, it…
Must-see attractions in Ghana
Kumasi
From afar, the Kejetia Market looks like an alien mothership landed in the centre of Kumasi. Closer up, the rusting tin roofs of this huge market (often…
Ghana
It's not everywhere you can get up close and personal with bus-sized elephants. Face-to-face encounters with these beasts, plus roving gangs of baboons,…
Accra
Jamestown originated as a community that emerged around the 17th-century British James Fort, merging with Accra as the city grew. These days, Jamestown is…
Ghana
St George’s Castle, a Unesco heritage site, was built as a trading post by the Portuguese in 1482, and captured by the Dutch in 1637. It was expanded when…
Accra
There is no front door or welcoming sign to the Makola Market. Before you know it, you've been sucked in by the human undertow from the usual pavements…
ANO Centre for Cultural Research
Accra
This arts institution, which takes its name from the word 'grandmother' in Akan, was founded by Ghanaian art historian, writer and filmmaker Nana…
Accra
Ghanaian photographer Francis Kokoroko and his friends regularly host cultural events and art talks at this tiny, unbranded studio on the top floor of the…
Kumasi
This museum may be small but the personalised tour included with admission is a fascinating introduction to Ashanti culture and history. Among the…
Ghana
Tucked away in this small pocket of rainforest are endangered forest elephants, colobus monkeys, 300 species of bird and a staggering 600 species of…
Accra
Independence Sq, also known as Black Star Sq, is a vast, empty expanse of concrete overlooked by spectator stands of Stalinesque grace. The square is…
Kwame Nkrumah Park and Mausoleum
Accra
This tranquil park is full of bronze statues, fountains and wandering peacocks, with the mausoleum of Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first leader, at its heart…
Accra
Goethe-Institut, the cultural arm of the German government in Ghana, is also a popular events venue in Accra. If you’re in town on the first Saturday in…
Accra
Come the weekend people flock to Accra's most popular beach to play ball games, frolic in the surf, go horse riding along the sand or party to loud dance…
Accra
This nature park close to the University of Ghana is the perfect spot to take a break from Accra’s relentless pace, and one of only a few green spots in…
Accra
This dramatic structure was completed in 2008 amid huge controversy around the tens of millions of dollars it cost to construct. Built to resemble an…
Ghana
This much-hyped hippo sanctuary on the Black Volta River was initiated by local village chiefs in 1999. Hippos can usually be seen from November to March;…
Accra
For a great view of the city and the busy and colourful fishing harbour (haze and pollution permitting), climb to the top of the old lighthouse near James…
Kumasi
Manhyia Palace was built by the British in 1925 to receive Prempeh I when he returned from a quarter of a century of exile in the Seychelles to resume…
Accra
Bojo Beach is so clean and chilled out that you'd never guess it was such a short drive west of Accra city. On arrival there's a small entrance fee to pay…
Ghana
Set up to protect the forest and its inhabitants, the mona monkeys, this community-run sanctuary makes for a fun excursion. The monkeys, revered by the…
Ghana
This kente-weaving centre is fun to visit and there's less of a hard-sell than at similar villages in the Ashanti region. You can visit the weaving room,…
Accra
Set in pleasant grounds, the national museum features excellent displays on various aspects of Ghanaian culture and history. The displays on local crafts,…
Ghana
Built in 1515, Fort San Antonio was the second fort constructed by the Portuguese on the Gold Coast, after St George’s Castle in Elmina. The entrance fee…
Ghana
You'll see the visitors centre as soon as you enter the town coming from Kumasi. There's a small shop selling adinkra cloth here and you can watch a…
Kumasi
The National Cultural Centre is set within peaceful, shaded grounds and includes craft workshops, where you can see brassworking, woodcarving, pottery…
Ghana
Now open to the public, this former slave fort hosts lively and fascinating tours, delivered by enthusiastic guides. Having served as a prison from 1962…
Accra
This imposing arch adjacent to Independence Sq is crowned by a large black star, Ghana's national symbol. Note: taking photos is forbidden.
Ghana
Built by award-winning American architect J Max Bond Jr, Bolga's library is a stylish piece on 1960s modernist design.
Accra
Organises cultural events and lectures. Also has an air-con library with English newspapers and magazines.
Accra
This gracious red-brick Anglican Church was completed by the British in 1894.
Ghana
The pond's reptiles, which are held sacred by the local people, are reputed to be the friendliest in Africa. Local women even do their laundry in the pond…
Accra
Built by the Danes around 1659 and originally called Christiansborg Castle, Osu Castle was the seat of government until 2013, when the president and his…
Cape Coast
This gracious old church was set up by missionaries of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society in 1835, making it one of the oldest (and largest)…
Cape Coast
Built in 1821 on a hillside in western Cape Coast, Fort Victoria was used as an outlook post by the British, hence the stunning views out over the town.
Cape Coast
This former lookout post and lighthouse was built in 1820, and has wide-ranging views over the town.
