Ghana
Ghana offers an introduction to West Africa where history and daily life sit side by side. Along the Atlantic coast, old forts stand above the water as reminders of centuries past. In Accra, modern city energy meets street markets, music, and constant movement. Inland, towns and villages keep long-held traditions at the center of community life. Forests, coastlines, and historic cities shape a journey that changes from one region to the next. Traveling through Ghana means moving through places that feel active, lived in, and deeply connected to the people who call them home.
Highlights
- Accra
Stretching along the Atlantic coast, Ghana’s capital is the country’s largest city and its main administrative and economic center. Layers of history sit alongside rapid urban growth, where former fishing settlements like Jamestown remain active while districts such as Osu and Airport City reflect newer development. Makola Market, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and other landmarks sit within a city shaped by both colonial history and modern expansion.
- Cape Coast
Once a major port in West African trade networks, Cape Coast is closely tied to the trans-Atlantic slave trade and its lasting legacy. Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits directly on the shoreline and remains one of Ghana’s most visited historical landmarks. Beyond its heritage sites, the waterfront remains active with fishing activity, with daily life centered around the harbor and nearby markets.
- Elmina
West of Cape Coast, the coastal town of Elmina is centered around St. George’s Castle (Elmina Castle), built by the Portuguese in 1482 and recognized as the oldest European-built structure in sub-Saharan Africa. The castle later passed through several European powers, reflecting shifting control along the Gold Coast. Today, fishing remains central to the town, with canoes along the shoreline and activity focused around the lagoon and harbor.
- Kakum National Park
Located in southern Ghana’s Central Region, Kakum National Park protects one of the country’s remaining tropical rainforest ecosystems. It is best known for its canopy walkway, a series of suspended bridges above the forest floor that provide access to the upper levels of the rainforest. The park contains dense vegetation, rivers, and marked walking trails, with wildlife including forest elephants, primates, duikers, and a wide range of bird species adapted to the canopy environment.
- Kumasi
Once the seat of the Ashanti Kingdom, Kumasi remains the traditional and cultural center of the Ashanti Region and Ghana’s second-largest city. Manhyia Palace, home of the Asantehene, anchors a city that also functions as a major commercial hub. Kejetia Market draws traders from across West Africa, while transport networks and artisan industries such as textiles and gold work keep Kumasi closely tied to both regional trade and long-standing traditions.
- Akwasidae Fest
Akwasidae is a traditional Ashanti festival held every six weeks in Kumasi, following the Akan calendar system. The event takes place at Manhyia Palace and is led by the Asantehene, with ceremonies that include durbar gatherings, drumming, and the display of royal regalia. Chiefs and elders attend in formal procession, and ancestral reverence is central to the observance. The festival forms part of a wider cycle of Ashanti traditions that link governance, spirituality, and community structure.
- Hogbetsotso Fest
Based on oral history of migration from Notsie in present-day Togo, Hogbetsotso is an annual festival celebrated by the Anlo-Ewe people in Ghana’s Volta Region. Celebrations rotate across towns in the Anlo area, with Anloga often serving as a focal point. The festival includes processions, drumming, dancing, and gatherings of chiefs and community members, marking shared origins and identity within the Ewe tradition.
Stretching along the Atlantic coast, Ghana’s capital is the country’s largest city and its main administrative and economic center. Layers of history sit alongside rapid urban growth, where former fishing settlements like Jamestown remain active while districts such as Osu and Airport City reflect newer development. Makola Market, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, and other landmarks sit within a city shaped by both colonial history and modern expansion.
Once a major port in West African trade networks, Cape Coast is closely tied to the trans-Atlantic slave trade and its lasting legacy. Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits directly on the shoreline and remains one of Ghana’s most visited historical landmarks. Beyond its heritage sites, the waterfront remains active with fishing activity, with daily life centered around the harbor and nearby markets.
West of Cape Coast, the coastal town of Elmina is centered around St. George’s Castle (Elmina Castle), built by the Portuguese in 1482 and recognized as the oldest European-built structure in sub-Saharan Africa. The castle later passed through several European powers, reflecting shifting control along the Gold Coast. Today, fishing remains central to the town, with canoes along the shoreline and activity focused around the lagoon and harbor.
Located in southern Ghana’s Central Region, Kakum National Park protects one of the country’s remaining tropical rainforest ecosystems. It is best known for its canopy walkway, a series of suspended bridges above the forest floor that provide access to the upper levels of the rainforest. The park contains dense vegetation, rivers, and marked walking trails, with wildlife including forest elephants, primates, duikers, and a wide range of bird species adapted to the canopy environment.
Once the seat of the Ashanti Kingdom, Kumasi remains the traditional and cultural center of the Ashanti Region and Ghana’s second-largest city. Manhyia Palace, home of the Asantehene, anchors a city that also functions as a major commercial hub. Kejetia Market draws traders from across West Africa, while transport networks and artisan industries such as textiles and gold work keep Kumasi closely tied to both regional trade and long-standing traditions.
Akwasidae is a traditional Ashanti festival held every six weeks in Kumasi, following the Akan calendar system. The event takes place at Manhyia Palace and is led by the Asantehene, with ceremonies that include durbar gatherings, drumming, and the display of royal regalia. Chiefs and elders attend in formal procession, and ancestral reverence is central to the observance. The festival forms part of a wider cycle of Ashanti traditions that link governance, spirituality, and community structure.
Based on oral history of migration from Notsie in present-day Togo, Hogbetsotso is an annual festival celebrated by the Anlo-Ewe people in Ghana’s Volta Region. Celebrations rotate across towns in the Anlo area, with Anloga often serving as a focal point. The festival includes processions, drumming, dancing, and gatherings of chiefs and community members, marking shared origins and identity within the Ewe tradition.Fast Facts
Already booked on one of our packages to Ghana? See everything you need to know before you go.
| Overview | Capital: Accra |
| Entry requirements | Please see our Entry Requirements page. |
| Staying Healthy | You must provide a copy of your Yellow Fever vaccination certificate to enter Ghana. |
| Weather | West Africa is close to the equator, and consequently, the year goes around without strong seasonal changes and relatively consistent temperatures. Daily temperatures are approaching or topping 30℃/86℉ and drop slightly at night. Humidity levels are much higher in central and western Ghana (as high as 80%) than in eastern Ghana. The rainy season is peak travel season in Ghana as it coincides with the summer holidays of travelers in the Northern Hemisphere and typically offers cooler temperatures. The scorching harmattan wind that blows between mid-December and mid-February is not the ideal time to travel, especially for photographers, though it is perfect for wildlife lovers since it is much easier to spot wildlife in the low grass. |
| Dining | In Ghana, one can discover a diverse culinary scene that reflects the country's cultural heritage and regional specialties. Below are various dining options and culinary styles you can explore:
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| Money & Credit Cards | The currency in Ghana is the Ghana Cedi (GHS, banknotes) and Ghana Pesewas (Gp, coins). All major foreign currencies are easily changed at banks or authorised Forex Bureaus in all major Ghanaian cities. In francophone countries, there are only a few authorized Forex Bureaus; generally, the best exchange rates are given at the banks. If you want to bring hard currency, bring euros or dollars (notes larger than 20 dollars). Changing money at the Forex Bureaus at international airports is also convenient. Withdrawing money from an ATM with a VISA card is much easier than with a Mastercard or a normal debit card (e.g., Maestro Card). A credit card keeps you from carrying large amounts of vulnerable cash and wasting time in banks. At some supermarkets and hotels, paying with a credit card (Eurocard, Mastercard, VISA) is also possible. But remember that some credit card companies will charge you for this service. We always recommend using ATMs on the premises of a bank during working hours, so that in case the ATM swallows the card, it can be easily retrieved. If you travel to more rural or remote areas, you must bring enough cash for your stay, as there are no banks outside the larger cities. The exchange rate of the GHS against the USD/Euro has been highly unstable but ranges between 1-10-12 GHS: 1 USD and slightly higher for the Euro (2023). There are several reliable online currency converters available that can help you quickly and accurately change currencies. Here are a few popular ones: Always notify your bank prior to departure to avoid any problems using your credit or debit card while traveling. |
| Shopping | Textiles, including pre-sewn dresses and cloth, Kente fabrics, Shea butter, skincare products, chocolate, local beads (particularly Krobo beads), and arts are predominantly available for purchase. Each region offers its own distinct selection of items, yet you can typically find all these goods at the artisanal markets. |
| Electricity & Power Adapters | 230 volts. Plugs D and G. You will need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit. Learn more about electrical standards around the world. |
| Cell Phones & Internet | Ghana was the first African country to be connected to the internet, which arrived in 1994. Nowadays, the internet is quickly spreading around the region with 4G internet in all the larger cities and major towns in Ghana. However, Wi-Fi is still scarce in the low- and mid-range accommodations located in the countryside and varies in quality. If you require reliable internet access during your trip, purchasing a local SIM card is a recommended option. Local SIM cards are affordable (typically €1 - €2) and can be used in unlocked foreign phones on roaming, providing reliable calls and data services. These SIM cards, along with top-up credit, are widely available, and your guide can assist you in obtaining one. Before your trip, you should check with your current service provider to inquire about access, costs, and the availability of international roaming. While using your own service provider is an option, it's important to be aware that using mobile data from your provider can lead to high bills upon your return. To avoid unexpected charges, switching off your mobile data as soon as you leave your home country is advisable. The common telecom providers in Ghana is MTN Ghana and Vodafone (now Togocel) Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? Read up on using your cell phone abroad and the top 5 ways to get Internet abroad. |
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Tours & Packages
- Destinations: Ghana
- including closed packages