Over the years, Accra has distinguished itself as one of the leading and well-known tourist destinations in West Africa and Africa.
Year in and year out, hordes of tourists flock to the country to experience the rich Ghanaian heritage and hospitality, especially during Christmas.
To enjoy your stay to the max, it is important to plan all the places you’d like to visit beforehand.
WELCOME TO GHANA: @RobinRoberts talks to people who are visiting #Ghana to connect with the country’s history.
Originally tweeted by Good Morning America (@GMA) on September 28, 2022.
If you will like to experience the tasty food, vibrant nightlife, fascinating art pieces, and the other attractions Accra have to offer but don’t know where to start.
Then this article is for you. Read on as I share with you some of the popular tourist sites in Accra.
Tourist Sites In Accra
Here are the top 5 tourist sites in Accra:
- Osu Castle
- Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park And Mausoleum
- Legon Botanical Gardens
- Labadi Beach
- Black Star Square
Osu Castle
Also known as Christianborg Castle or Fort Christianborg, this castle is located in Osu in the heart of Accra.
It was built in the 1660s by the Danes on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. This castle is such a popular landmark because it was the official seat of the government for many years before they moved to the Jubilee House in 2013.
Osu Castle is listed as a World Heritage Site and houses many presidential papers and artefacts, as well as journals and clothes of past presidents of the country.
At the castle, you can appreciate displays of well-known Ghanaians like Azumah Nelson and Efua Sutherland and also look at the rooms used by past Ghanaian presidents.
The castle is open on Fridays only, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and all tours are free.
You can reach it on the numbers 0302221633/635 or via the email address [email protected]
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park And Mausoleum
Another must-see tourist site is the Kwame Nkrumah memorial park and mausoleum, dedicated to the memory of Ghana’s first president Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
It can be found in downtown Accra, directly opposite the old Parliament House, now serving as the headquarters for the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
The mausoleum houses the remains of Kwame Nkrumah and his wife, Fathia Nkrumah.
The museum contains Nkrumah’s personal belongings: his books and official photographs.
The memorial park is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Mondays to Fridays and 9:00 am to 3 pm on weekends. Rates are as follows;
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park And Mausoleum Entry Rates
- Ghanaian children- GHS 1
- Ghanaian teenagers- GHS 2
- Ghanaian adults- GHS 3
- Non-Ghanaian children- GHS 2
- Non-Ghanaian teenagers- GHS 5
- Non-Ghanaian adults- GHS 10
The contact number is 0208283175
Legon Botanical Gardens
Located close to the University of Ghana, Legon Botanical Gardens is one of the largest recreational centres in the country.
It is situated at the Agbogba Junction, on the Haatso Atomic Main Road. The gardens are suitable for persons of all ages, and there are a variety of activities to engage in.
Be it a school excursion, picnic, photoshoot, boat cruise or hike, Legon gardens has something for everyone.
It is open on weekdays from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and on weekends from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The entry fee per person is GHS 15. Other rates are below;
Legon Botanical Gardens Entry Rates
- Playground- GHS 20 for children only
- Canopy walkway- GHS 20 for children and GHS 25 for adults
- High rope course- 2 routes at GHS 40 and 4 routes at GHS 70
- Bird watching- GHS 30
- Biking- GHS 30 with your bike
- Fishing- GHS 30 with your rod
- Model photoshoot- GHS 150
- Wedding photoshoot- GHS 250
- Video shoot- GHS 700 for 4 hours and GHS 1200 for 8 hours
You can contact the gardens on 0262366167 or 0552880908 or via the email address [email protected]
Labadi Beach
One of the busiest beaches on the Ghanaian coast, Labadi beach is a favourite among locals and tourists. It is officially known as La Pleasure Beach and is situated in Labadi, a suburb of Accra.
Labadi Beach offers its visitors numerous restaurants and recreational activities to choose from.
You can enjoy cold beers, eat street food such as fried yam and kebab, go horse riding, play beach volleyball, or enjoy the live band and reggae music.
The beach is lively on weekends but quite calm on weekdays, where you can just sit back and enjoy the waves and scent of the sea.
Although a public place, visitors must pay a small entrance fee of GHS 15.
Black Star Square
Also called Independence Square, this public monument is close to the Accra Sports Stadium and Kwame Nkrumah memorial park.
The square is the site of the yearly Independence celebrations on 6th March and other military and civic parades.
The square has a seating capacity of 3,000 persons. Other monuments in or around the park include the Independence Arch, Memorial of the Unknown Soldier and Black Star Gate.
The square is always open to the public. However, visitors must be careful when taking pictures as a handful of soldiers sometimes surrounds the arch.
Conclusion
These mentioned above are the popular landmarks in Accra that tourists visit frequently.
You can reach Osu Castle on 0302221633/635, Kwame Nkrumah mausoleum on 0208283175, and Legon botanical gardens on 0262366167 or 0552880908.
You can also check out tourist sites in Ghana as a whole and if you are heading to the eastern region, you can also click here to know the best tourist attractions in the eastern region.
