Want to know a vibrant area to stay in Accra, or where to find some delicious vegan restaurants while you’re there – all while truly immersing yourself in the local culture? Accra – Where to Immerse Yourself in the City is our personal experience exploring this city in 2024. We share our insights on where to stay, where to eat and drink, and things to see and do. Our guide reflects our travel style and aims to provide useful things to know before visiting this obscure destination.
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Ghana, ‘the gateway to Africa’. Accra’s Kotoka International Airport is a key transit point for many regional flights, and some travellers only pass through. But Accra is a worthwhile stop to spend a few days – or more – and acquaint yourself with the West African vibe. Tourism here is well established, and you will have most things at your disposal. Accra may be short on world class attractions, but there’s enough to keep you occupied, with plenty of opportunities to mingle with locals and learn about their culture and country.
Why go to Accra?
Accra offers travellers a great introduction to Africa. Famous for its cuisine, there are plenty of local delicacies to discover. If shopping is your thing, you won’t be disappointed. Nightlife? Accra has that covered. For those venturing inland or to a neighbouring country, Accra makes a perfect base. It may be hot, humid, and sticky, but it’s also safe, affordable, and welcoming. Come to Accra to recharge after a long flight, or to refresh after travelling in the region. Whatever the purpose of your stop, Accra won’t let you down.
- Country: Ghana
- Capital: Accra
- Best time to visit: October – April (wet season is May to September)
- Budget/Mid-Range/Couple: AU$100 per day
- Currency: Ghanaian Cedi (8Cedi = AU$1)
- Language: English
- Visa: Yes
- Difficulty: 1 (1-basic & 5-challenging)
Getting to Accra
Accra’s Kotoka International Airport is one of West Africa’s main transport hubs, with direct flights from Europe, the Middle East, North America, and many African countries. Buses from nearby countries are regular, serving a variety of destinations. The city center and the Osu area are an easy twenty- minute taxi ride from the airport. Fares are negotiable, typically around Cedi150-200. Returning to the airport is much cheaper, with Cedi70-100 getting you there from most areas of the city.
We flew to Accra from Sierra Leone, and after our stay, we continued on to Sao Tome.
Where to stay in Accra
There’s no shortage of appealing areas to stay in Accra. Prime locations such as Cantonments or Labone are sort after by expats. However, Osu is becoming a popular choice – and it’s our recommendation. With its restaurants, nightlife, shopping, and a bustling vibe, Osu is referred to as the ‘West End’ of Accra. This is where we based ourselves. With a growing number of Airbnb’s and guesthouses in and around the area, finding somewhere suitable to stay wasn’t a problem. With options for every budget, you can’t go wrong.
Accra is the perfect base to explore northern Ghana or to visit one of the numerous neighboring countries in the region.
Where to eat and drink in Accra
The Osu area has plenty of cafes and restaurants – and even has a vegan food van (we enjoyed vegan pies daily!). Street food is abundant all over the city, so you won’t have to venture far to sample the many local delicacies. Osu has loads. We ate street food every day and drank fresh coconuts to cool off. The tropical fruits were incredible, including some of the biggest mangoes we’ve ever seen. For a decent selection of wine, head to Liquor Junction.
- Get to Tatale Vegan (with both a restaurant and a food truck, there’s something for everyone)
- Don’t miss Beas Vegan kitchen (good local dishes, with three to choose from each day)
- Check out Asabeas Kitchen (packed with locals, great place to try authentic local dishes)
Things to see and do in Accra
Osu Castle Constructed in the 1600’s and perched on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic, a visit here is well worth your time. Tours depart on the hour (Cedi80) and last around forty-five minutes. Don’t miss the dungeons.
National Museum Excellent place to explore different aspects of Ghanaian culture and traditions.
Makola Market You can’t leave Accra before you check out the city’s largest market. Good luck!
Immerse yourself and walk the streets. Despite the heat, our daily walks to gather supplies were a definite highlight. Streets are lined with an assortment of locally made products, which some people carry around on their head. We discovered beautiful natural products and freshly made street foods along the way.
Getting around Accra
You can easily navigate the local streets on foot. To visit nearby neighbourhoods, taxis cruise the streets looking for passengers. Uber and other local rideshare options are plentiful, and the bus network is extensive.
Useful things to know before visiting Accra
It’s humid most of the year.
Accra has some of the best flight connections in West Africa.
Embassies are plentiful if you need visas for onward travel.
Fast Wi-Fi is common.
eSIM networks are supported.
Yellow fever certificates are checked on arrival.
There’s a duty free shop and currency exchange at the airport.
Accra has amazing locally made natural products, including African Black Soap, shea butter and raw baobab powder. Keep an eye out for pop-up road stalls for the best prices.
Final thoughts on travelling in Accra
Accra is fun and offers a refreshing break after some of the challenges of travelling in other parts of West Africa. You can enjoy many of the modern conveniences that you’d find at home. Accommodation standards are high, so a bit of comfort is easy to come by. The people are engaging, warm, and welcoming. Accra is the perfect base to explore northern Ghana or to visit one of the numerous neighboring countries in the region. It’s safe and one of the most stable countries in Africa. While it’s a great introduction for first-time visitors to Africa, its location and vibrancy also make it ideal for experienced travellers. Accra has it all.
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