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Accra

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Vibrant Culture and Coastal Charm

Accra welcomes visitors with vibrant markets, historic sites and a lively street scene. The city’s coastal location brings warm weather year-round, making outdoor activities easy. Independence Square stands as a symbol of freedom while the National Museum shares Ghana’s past through artifacts and stories. Local food stalls serve dishes like jollof rice and kelewele, giving travelers a taste of daily life. Walking along Labadi Beach lets you enjoy ocean breezes alongside music and crafts from nearby vendors.

City in Ghana
Climate zone: Tropical savanna

Tropical savanna: Tropical climates with distinct wet and dry seasons, warm year-round, featuring grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 5.1
General Safety:6
Health & medical:5
Accessibility:2
Tap water:2
Read details
Tourist English: 5/5
English is widely spoken in Accra, making it easy for tourists to communicate, navigate, and enjoy the city without a language barrier.
There is a travel warning issued for this country. Please check the website of your country's foreign office for the latest information.
Last update: 24 Oct 2026
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Accra Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work
Strong in culture and city life. Visit lively markets, explore history museums, enjoy beaches and experience music, food and nightlife in vibrant neighborhoods.
Place score
6.1
Best at:
Music
8
Markets
8
Crafts shopping
8
Nightlife
8
Festivals
8
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 5
Families
🧓 4
Seniors
🕌 7
Halal
👩 6
Solo
Ghana – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type D , Type G
Type D:
Diagram of a Type D power plug
Type G:
Diagram of a Type G power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)
£1 ≈ GHS 15.51
Cashless info: Rating 3/5
Cashless payments are accepted in major cities like Accra, but cash is still commonly used for transactions, especially in rural areas.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is not mandatory in Ghana, but it is appreciated for good service. A 5-10% tip is common in restaurants, and taxi drivers may expect small tips.
Public drinking: Public drinking is allowed in Ghana, and alcohol is consumed in licensed venues such as bars, restaurants, and hotels.
Public smoking: Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces but allowed in designated outdoor areas.
Independence Day
(6 March)
Celebrates Ghana's independence from Britain
Christmas
(25 December)
Celebrated widely across the country
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112
Taxi apps: Uber, Bolt
Other: Ghana is known for its rich cultural heritage, wildlife, and vibrant history. Key attractions include national parks, historical forts, and the coastal city of Accra.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Accra, Ghana
🔥
Jan
🔥
Feb
🌦️
Mar
🔥
Apr
🌦️
May
🌦️
Jun
🌧️
Jul
🌦️
Aug
🌦️
Sep
🌦️
Oct
🌦️
Nov
🔥
Dec
High season: Jan. - Feb., Dec.
Shoulder season: March, July - Sep., Nov.
Crowdedness: 4 (Moderate tourist numbers)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Main rainy season April to June, short rains September to October, heavy storms often flood Accra's streets
Detty December: diaspora visitors, concerts and parties fill the city mid-December to early January, flights and hotels book out early

Why travel to Accra?

Accra offers a genuine West African experience with its rich history, friendly locals and lively atmosphere. The city is known for its bustling markets like Makola Market, historic sites like Independence Square and the beautiful Labadi Beach. The art and music scene is vibrant and the food – especially the street food – is a must-try. However, be prepared for heat and some traffic congestion.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Artists Alliance Gallery
  • 2 Black Star Gate
  • 3 Black Star Square
  • 4 Jamestown Lighthouse
  • 5 Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
  • 6 Osu Castle
  • 7 W.E.B Du Bois Center
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 National Center for Arts and Culture of Ghana
  • 2 Nubuke Foundation
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Achimota Forest
  • 2 Bojo Beach
  • 3 Kokrobite Beach
  • 4 Labadi Beach
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 A&C Mall
  • 2 Accra Mall
  • 3 Makola Market
  • 4 Oxford Street
🎈Events
  • Chale Wote Street Art Festival
  • Ghana Independence Day (March 6)
  • Panafest (Biennial)
  • Homowo Festival
  • Ga Mashie Homowo
  • Afrochella
  • Accra Food Festival
  • Sallah Celebrations
  • National Chocolate Day
  • Accra Fashion Week

Knowledge before you go

  • Expect heavy traffic; plan extra time for every ride.
  • Carry some cash for small purchases, but use mobile money where possible for convenience.
  • Dress light for the heat and keep water handy – humidity can feel intense midday.
  • Visit Makola Market with a local guide; it’s lively, but navigation and pricing are easier together.

How to travel to Accra

Kotoka International Airport (ACC) is the main gateway to Accra, with direct flights from major international cities. There are also regional buses connecting Accra with other West African cities.

Access summary

  • From Kotoka International Airport (ACC): Taxi or rideshare to center, about 15–30 minutes.
  • From Kumasi: Domestic flight to Accra around 40–50 minutes; intercity bus 4–6 hours.
  • From Lomé (Togo): Cross-border bus or car to Accra, typically 4–5 hours.

Where to stay in Accra

Accra offers accommodations ranging from budget hostels to luxury hotels. The Osu neighborhood is popular for its central location and vibrant nightlife, while beachfront hotels offer a more relaxed vibe.

How to get around Accra

Accra has taxis, tro-tros (shared minibuses) and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Bolt. Walking is good in certain areas like Osu, but public transport can be hectic for newcomers. Traffic can be heavy during peak hours.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-49 %
Daily expenses in Accra are around 49% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-19 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to GHS) is 19% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£41
£87
£226
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£19
£45
£105
🍝 Food per day
£18
£37
£104
🚕 Transportation per day
£4
£5
£17
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£18
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£4.50
🍟 Fast food combo
£6.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£6.50
☕ Cappuccino
£3.10
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£1.15
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£0.95
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£10
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£0.80
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£7.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£41
🤧 Cold medication
£4.10
💇 Basic haircut
£2.40

Safety information overview

General safety
6
Accra is generally safe, but petty crimes like pickpocketing can occur, especially in crowded areas. Stick to well-lit areas at night and avoid displaying valuables openly.
Health & Medical
5
Medical facilities in Accra are decent, with private hospitals offering better services. Malaria is a risk, so take preventive measures. Bottled water is recommended.
Accessi­bility
2
Many places in Accra are not fully accessible for those with mobility issues. Some modern buildings and hotels offer good facilities, but older areas can be challenging.
Tap water
2
Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Stick to bottled or filtered water, which is widely available. Staying hydrated is important, especially in the heat.

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