9 Best Things To Do In Accra, Ghana: Culture, Warmth, And Rhythm 

When you think of visiting Africa, you will usually think about the magnificence of Cape Town’s coastline in South Africa, or the richness of history in Egypt. Fewer travelers would think of heading to other cities in the continent, such as Accra in Ghana. But seeing Accra is like seeing Africa from a different perspective. Lots of things to do in Accra. 

Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana. Would you believe that this city is listed on various websites as one of the best cities to travel to in the world? Visiting Ghana’s beating heart is like receiving a love letter. Accra’s markets are brimming with color and activity. While you are here, you may find yourself in a lengthy conversation with a local vendor as they try to sell you their goods, and of course tell you about the good things in life.

While this city’s beauty lies in these daily interactions with its people and blissful community-oriented spirit, there are more sides to Accra not cited a lot, yet are very charming. Let’s find out what these best things to do in Accra are.

Find Out 9 Best Things To Do In Accra

Check out other amazing destinations in Africa, such as Ghana. Here are the best things to do in Accra, the country’s capital. 

1. Mix With The Thick Crowds At Makola Market

As a local, you will hear them say that one of the best things to do in Accra is to immerse yourself in the city’s shopping scene. And if you are not used to mingling with pounds of crowds, you might find it difficult to enjoy the whole experience.

Unlike other famous shopping districts in the world, Makola Market does not have a front door or welcome sign. Before you even know it, you have already been sucked in by the thick crowds from the usual pavements clogged with vendors hawking food items, hand-me-down clothes, and shoes to the market itself. But that doesn’t mean you can’t shop for new arrivals here. Somehow, many treat the experience at Makola Market a “Ghanaian initiation rite,” and you must survive it, like you do in other destinations in the world.

2. Chance Upon Tribal Masks, Textiles, And More Ghanaian Artifacts At The National Museum Of Ghana

If things to do in Accra with the crowd are not your thing, you can instead head to a more peaceful respite at the city’s museums. You will learn a lot of stuff too, right? 

The National Museum of Ghana is one of the most popular museums in Accra and in the country. Established in the 1950s, it preserves and showcases Ghana and West Africa’s rich cultural heritage. 

The museum features various historical and cultural artifacts deeply-rooted in, what else, Ghanaian history and culture. Once you are here, you can find several exhibits showcasing traditional artifacts, sculptures, textiles, and historical papers, as well as tribal masks from different African tribes. 

The National Museum of Ghana also offers guided tours, educational programs, and research opportunities for visitors and scholars, and you are more than welcome to participate in them.

Aside from this “things to do in Accra” guide, we invite you to explore more of Africa. Take a look at our story here to discover the best African safari. 

3. Watch A French Show At Alliance Française

Centuries ago, the French colonized many parts of West Africa, the region where Ghana is part of. So, there is a lot of French heritage going on in this city, until today. Some of them can be witnessed at the Alliance Française Accra.

Alliance Française Accra is the leading center of French language and cultural exchange in this Ghanaian city. It hosts performing arts shows, concerts, and film screenings which you can watch and include on your list of things to do in Accra where you are here. 

The plot of its performances varies, but its lineup balances English, French, and Ghanaian culture. Before or after the show, you can take a delicious bite at Mama Cuisine, the restaurant on-site.

4. Soak In Breathtaking Views From The Tallest Building In Ghana

When it comes to ambience, Accra does not disappoint (Hey! Accra is listed as one of the best cities to explore in the world, right?). It lives up to this reputation as it takes tourists to spectacular views of the city from Skybar 25, an upscale rooftop bar and the tallest building in the whole of Ghana, and perhaps throughout West Africa, too. You are definitely missing a lot if you forget to tick this off on your things to do in Accra list. 

This place also offers a luxurious dinner that comes with a specially-crafted cocktail while you enjoy the tunes of the Kentos Music Brand, a Ghanaian brass band playing live music at Skybar 25.

Loving this “things to do in Accra” so far? There are more activities to do in Africa, such as those in Cape Town. Get to know the best photography spots in Cape Town here. 

5. Explore Ghana’s Safari And Get The Chance To Experience Rock Climbing

Wildlife in Africa is one of the best in the world, if not the best, so travelers to African cities like Accra make it a point to include exploring the safari on their things to do in Accra itinerary. 

Visitors to Accra often find it hard to explore Ghana’s famed natural beauty, which some are found outside the capital, especially if they have a limited time exploring the country. But this tour banishes the dilemma, and provides you with a walking safari and rock climbing experience. 

Here, you will also get to enjoy a tranquil boat cruise along Lake Volta, the largest man-made lake in the continent. Plus, lunch aboard the cruise will also be served, while you enjoy the views of the lakeside.

6. Receive Your Traditional African Name In This Ghanaian Naming Ceremony 

Just as naming ceremonies are popular in the West, they are too in Ghana. In this Ghanaian naming ceremony, you will receive the opportunity to reconnect and reunite with your bloodline, culture, and roots. You will learn about your traditional African name, which will be given to you based on the day of the week you were born. 

Along with receiving your traditional African name, you will also be welcomed as a member of an African village, and enjoy the village life and activities, such as clay pottery making and Kente weaving (Kente is a kind of Ghanaian textile). There will also be performances during the ceremony.

This is certainly one of the fun and most interesting things to do in Accra. As playwright William Shakespeare asked, “What’s in a name?” 

If you are enjoying these things to do in Accra so far, you must continue your journey across the continent, and explore other beautiful cities like Cape Town. 

7. Work With A Local Seamstress Or Tailor For Your Next Ghanaian Get-Up

Familiar with Nigeria’s Ankara fabric? Well, this is just a small piece of the entire picture, as there are a lot of striking fabrics in the African continent, such as those you can find in Accra, Ghana. And as you enjoy the best things to do in Accra, you can also connect with a local seamstress or tailor to have your next look made here. 

First, you purchase a range of beautiful prints, and some of the most highly-recommended shops are Eunnan Fabrics and Shalom Fabrics. Or, you can head to a local market if those shops did not provide what you are looking for.

Then, you can ask around for a local sewing business near where you are, or simply look for small shops found near roadsides, where you will often see sewers working. Many of them are part of Global Mamas, a sewing organization in Ghana. 

8. Take A Look At Independence Square (And It’s McDonald’s-Like Arch)

Your things to do in Accra itinerary will not be complete without a visit to Independence Square. Also known as Black Square Square, this landmark is a vast and empty expanse of concrete dominated by its enormous McDonald’s-like arch, underneath which is the Eternal Flame of African Liberation, lit by Kwame Nkrumah (the former president of Ghana), that still flickers until today. The area is empty most of the year, except when there are special commemorations and preaching by churches being conducted here.

9. Revel In The Best Of Ghanaian Nightlife

Nightlife is well and live in Accra, and even competes with other destinations in the world known for this experience. So you might be missing a lot if you skip this on your things to do in Accra list. 

Accra’s vibrant and pulsating nightlife is a must-experience. One of the most popular venues for this is +233 Jazz Bar & Grill, which brings together local musicians to deliver live music for its local and international audiences. 

For more lively nights and hard parties, you can head to Labadi Beach. If you wish to experience nightlife but want it more relaxed, you can visit Republic Bar & Grill, which features its down-to-earth bistro and sports bar.

Those are pretty much about it on the best things to do in Accra. Did those inspire you to travel to Accra? Read more about Africa, such as the best things to do in Cairo, Egypt in this story.

How Much Budget Should You Prepare To Enjoy The Things To Do In Accra?

To have fun with all the things to do in Accra, you need to know how much budget you should prepare for your trip. We got the details right here. 

Prepare to spend around $45 a day on your vacation in Accra. Previous travelers here have spent $11 on average on meals for one day and around $19 on average on local transportation. The average hotel price in Accra for a couple is $45. So, a trip to this Ghanaian city for two people for a week costs around $626 on average. 

Ghana: Culture, Warmth, And Rhythm

Ghana is not a place that would immediately pop in your mind when you think about a getaway. But this country, suffused with the most vibrant energies, is one of the biggest attractions in Africa. It is endowed with welcoming beaches, a diverse wildlife, a gorgeous hinterland, and vibrant metropolises. Did those inspire you to visit Ghana? Get started at Accra, its capital. There are various things to do in Accra.

Accra has something to offer to all types of visitors. Looking for great shopping finds? Perhaps you want to revel in the nightlife? Or maybe, you want a tour down memory lane and learn about Ghanaian history? Everything about those is here. Its local culture intertwines with foreign heritages, mostly with the countries that colonized Ghana in the past. Experience Ghana, a country where you can immerse into cultures, warmth, and rhythm.