Good to know
Good to Know
- Photography policies vary by site; some museums have restrictions or charge additional fees. Check with staff upon arrival.
- Guided tours are highly recommended at museums like the National Museum and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park to gain deeper historical context. Tour guides often expect tips.
- The National Museum underwent major renovations and reopened in June 2022 with improved facilities. Visit on weekdays to avoid larger crowds.
- Osu Castle still houses government workers, so visitor access involves security checkpoints and unclear signage. Having a local taxi driver who knows the way is helpful.
- Ussher Fort is emotionally and historically significant as a slave trade site. Some visitors find the experience somber but worthwhile for understanding Ghana's past.
- Independence Square (Black Star Square) is free and open 24/7, making it ideal for independent exploration at any time.
- Most museums are centrally located and accessible by taxi, trotro (local minibus), or on foot from nearby neighborhoods. Public transportation is widely available.
- Hours and fees can change; confirm current details before visiting, especially for smaller sites or around holidays.
- Jamestown and surrounding historic sites offer walking tours led by local guides who provide authentic cultural insights.
- A professional multiseum tour covering National Museum, Kwame Nkrumah Park, and other sites with private transport is available for approximately $220 USD per person (all-inclusive).
Must See Sites
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Museum
- Hours
- 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Admission
- GHS 100
- Proximity To Center
- Downtown Accra, easily accessible by taxi or trotro
- Description
- Located in downtown Accra on Atta Mills Highway, this memorial park honors Ghana's first president and Pan-Africanist leader. Features a striking marble mausoleum (the final resting place of Kwame Nkrumah and his wife), museum with artifacts and documents, statue of Nkrumah, gardens, fountains, library, and digital museum depicting historical speeches. Recently redeveloped (2022-2023) with modern facilities including a restaurant and gift shop.
National Museum of Ghana
- Hours
- 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM daily
- Admission
- GHS 80
- Proximity To Center
- Central Accra (Adabraka neighborhood)
- Description
- Ghana's premier and oldest museum (established 1957), located at 2 Barnes Road in Adabraka. Houses three main galleries covering Ghana's history, traditions, and contemporary arts. Collections include archaeological artifacts, ethnographic displays, traditional textiles, musical instruments, royal Asante stools, and contemporary artwork. Features sculpture garden with life-size statues of historical figures, library, conservation laboratory, and education hall.
Osu Castle (Fort Christiansborg)
- Hours
- Not consistently documented; inquire locally
- Admission
- GHS 40
- Proximity To Center
- Osu neighborhood, coastal location
- Description
- Historic castle built by the Danes in the 17th century, located on Accra's coast. Served as a Danish, Dutch, and British colonial seat of government. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Presidential Museum. Contains exhibits on Ghana's colonial history and the slave trade. Features colonial architecture, historical exhibits, and scenic Atlantic Ocean views. Still houses government workers, so visitor access has security checkpoints.
Ussher Fort Museum
- Hours
- Not consistently documented; inquire locally
- Admission
- GHS 10
- Proximity To Center
- Jamestown (historic neighborhood near city center)
- Description
- Historic fort in Jamestown built by the Dutch in the 17th century. Served as a trading post during the transatlantic slave trade and later as a prison (until 1993). Now houses a museum with exhibits on the slave trade, including chains, paintings, artifacts from captors and enslaved people, model slave ships, and tributes to abolitionists. Features terrace views of Jamestown and the sea.
Independence Square (Black Star Square)
- Hours
- Open 24/7 (outdoor public space)
- Admission
- Free
- Proximity To Center
- Downtown Accra, near Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
- Description
- Large public space commemorating Ghana's independence from colonial rule. Features the Black Star Gate, Independence Arch, and memorial structures. Designed with modernist and Soviet-influenced architecture under President Nkrumah. Serves as a symbolic landmark of Ghana's journey to freedom. Adjacent to the National Theatre.
W.E.B. Du Bois Centre
- Hours
- Not consistently documented; inquire locally
- Admission
- Not consistently documented; inquire locally
- Proximity To Center
- Accra location, accessible by local transport
- Description
- Cultural and research center dedicated to Pan-Africanism, honoring the African-American civil rights activist and scholar W.E.B. Du Bois who became a Ghanaian citizen in the 1960s. Includes library with collections on African history, museum with personal artifacts and writings, and mausoleum where Du Bois and his wife are buried.
Art And Culture
Centre for National Culture
- Description
- Cultural hub offering local handicrafts, traditional art, textiles (including Kente cloth), and opportunities to learn about Ghanaian culture and heritage. Often included in city tours.
Accra Art Centre
- Description
- Located adjacent to Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. Features works by modern Ghanaian artists and provides access to traditional crafts. Popular for shopping and cultural engagement.
Other Notable Sites
Jamestown Lighthouse
- Description
- Colonial-era lighthouse built in the 1930s in the Jamestown neighborhood (one of Accra's oldest districts). Offers panoramic city and ocean views from the top via a spiral staircase. Informal guides offer tours for a few cedis. No formal museum infrastructure but popular for photography and neighborhood exploration.
Makola Market
- Description
- Accra's largest and most bustling market offering an authentic glimpse into daily Ghanaian life. Maze of colorful stalls selling fresh produce, spices, textiles, traditional clothing, and handmade crafts. Great for souvenirs and local food. Chaotic but vibrant atmosphere. Haggling is expected.
Jamestown District
- Description
- One of Accra's oldest and most vibrant neighborhoods. Historic colonial-era architecture, street art, bustling streets, and remnants of Danish, Dutch, and British colonial settlement. Home to fishing communities and cultural heritage sites. Recommended for walking tours and cultural immersion.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Accra
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.