Ghana Capital City, About Accra Tourism and Travel

(Ghana, GH, Western Africa)



Accra skyline photoAccra is located in the south-east of Ghana, on a coastal stretch overlooking the Gulf of Guinea. Like many large cities in this part of Africa, Accra is an eclectic mixture of modern buildings and traditional shanty town districts.

If your itinerary allows, it is worth venturing into the city, not just to see the sights and visit the museums, but also to enjoy Accra's vibrant nightlife and general appeal.



Panoramic view of Accra

Tourism and General Information

Accra was founded by the Ga people in the 16th century. During the next few hundred years, the city developed into its role as the centre of trade between the Gold Coast and, at various times, the Portuguese, Swedish, Dutch, French and Danish. Accra became the capital of the British Gold Coast in the 19th century. After Ghana achieved independence in 1957, Accra was named as its capital city.

Over two million people live in Greater Accra, with a million of these concentrated in the urban inner city itself. The city's history has heavily influenced its development, with neighbourhoods growing up around the forts built by the British, Danish and Dutch. James Town is an elegant, colonial-style neighbourhood, although rather worn at the edges.

Image of the Independence Arch at AccraThe district of Osu, which has developed around Osu Castle, has in recent years become a trendy suburb of Accra. It is a popular place to spend an evening, whether at one of Osu's nightclubs or trendy restaurants. The neighbourhood of Ussher Town has the historic Dutch-built Ussher Fort at its centre.

For visitors arriving in Accra for the first time, there are plenty of attractions to take in, including the National Museum of Ghana, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial, Osu Castle (also known as Fort Christiansborg), Makola and Kaneshie markets, and Jamestown. If you have time to relax or have already seen all the sights, then it is worth seeing what Labadi Beach has to offer.