Visiting Ghana
Things to Do in Accra — 2026 Guide for First-Time Visitors
Accra is loud, warm, and unapologetically itself. This is the same guide we'd give a cousin flying in from London or New York for the first time — what's actually worth your time, what to skip, what things cost in cedis, and where Uber will refuse to take you after 8pm.
Last verified: November 2025 by editors based in Accra. See editorial policy.
Top 10 things to do in Accra
- Jamestown walking tour. Climb the lighthouse (GHS 30), see the colonial-era fishing harbour, and book a guided tour with Visit Ghana or a local operator (around GHS 200–350 per group).
- Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park & Mausoleum. The renovated park reopened in 2024. Entry GHS 60 for non-residents, GHS 20 for Ghanaians. Allow 90 minutes for the museum.
- Independence Square (Black Star Square). Best at sunrise — empty, dramatic, free. Combine with a stroll to the Arch of Independence.
- Labadi Beach. The most accessible beach in the city. Entry around GHS 50. Best on Sundays for live highlife and reggae. Avoid swimming far out — the undertow is real.
- W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre, Cantonments. A quiet, moving stop for African diaspora visitors. Entry GHS 50.
- Makola Market. The economic engine of the city. Bring small notes, leave the big camera, go with a Ghanaian friend the first time.
- Osu (Oxford Street) for nightlife. Restaurants, bars, jollof, kebabs, and late-night Republic Bar (live music every weekend).
- Artists Alliance Gallery, La. Three floors of contemporary Ghanaian art. Free entry, you'll spend two hours.
- Aburi Botanical Gardens. 45 minutes north of Accra. Entry GHS 50. Pair with lunch at Tea Garden.
- Day trip to Cape Coast Castle. 3 hours by road. The UNESCO-listed slave fort is essential context for anyone visiting Ghana. Entry GHS 150 for non-residents, guided tour included. See the official UNESCO listing.
Where to eat (without overpaying)
- Buka, Osu — best mid-priced Ghanaian food for visitors. Try the grilled tilapia and red red.
- Asanka Local, East Legon — proper waakye and jollof, around GHS 80 a plate.
- Santoku, Airport City — splurge sushi, around GHS 350 per person.
- Skybar 25, Airport City — rooftop drinks at sunset. Cocktails from GHS 90.
- Auntie Muni Waakye, Labone — the most famous waakye in Accra. Get there before 11am.
Money, transport and SIM cards
- Cash: Carry GHS for markets and street food. Cards accepted in malls, supermarkets, and mid/upscale restaurants.
- Mobile money: MTN MoMo is universal. Ask your hotel to help you register if you have a local SIM.
- Uber and Bolt work across the city. A 20-minute ride is typically GHS 35–60.
- SIM cards: MTN, Telecel and AT have kiosks at Kotoka Terminal 3 arrivals. Bring your passport — SIM registration is mandatory.
Safety — the honest version
Accra is safer than its reputation suggests, but not risk-free. Pickpocketing happens at Makola, Kaneshie and during traffic jams. Use cross-body bags, don't flash phones in slow traffic, and never accept a "free" tour from someone who approaches you at the airport. The US State Department and the UK Foreign Office publish updated advisories — read them before flying.