Top tourist attractions in Ghana

How to think about Ghana's attractions

Ghana is compact by African standards but wonderfully varied, and the trick is to group its sights geographically rather than dashing between them. As a team based in Kasoa who run these routes every week, we tend to picture the country in three bands: the coast with its forts and beaches, the forest belt with Kakum and Kumasi, and the far north with its savannah and elephants. Most first-time visitors happily fill a week or two with the coast and the forest belt, saving the north for a return trip or a longer stay. There is no single right order, but keeping the driving sensible is what makes the difference between a relaxed holiday and a blur.

Get the grouping right and the driving becomes a pleasure rather than a slog. Ghana is roughly the size of the United Kingdom, and while the roads are generally good, journeys take longer than a map suggests, so we plan around clusters and avoid criss-crossing the country. If you are still deciding when to come, our guide on the best time to visit Ghana is a good place to start, as the dry and rainy seasons shape what is comfortable to do.

The coast: castles and beaches

The Central Region coast is, for many, the emotional core of a Ghana trip. The Cape Coast and Elmina castles tell the sobering story of the transatlantic slave trade, and standing in the dungeons is something visitors rarely forget. Elmina in particular is among the oldest European buildings in the region, its white walls looming over a bustling fishing harbour where nothing much seems to have changed in generations. Between the history, the coastline is dotted with fishing harbours, small forts and easy beach towns where you can decompress afterwards.

We always recommend a proper, guided castle visit rather than a rushed stop. For the full picture read our Cape Coast and Elmina castles guide, and give yourself time to unwind on the fishing-town beaches nearby afterwards.

The forest belt: Kakum and Kumasi

Inland from the coast, the rainforest rises. Kakum National Park is famous for its canopy walkway, a series of rope bridges strung high in the treetops that give you a monkey's-eye view of the forest. It is thrilling but very manageable, and an early start means cooler air and better birdlife. The park protects genuine primary rainforest, and even the short forest trails around the visitor centre are worth doing for the butterflies and birdsong alone.

Further north, Kumasi is the proud capital of the Ashanti and the place to understand kente, gold and royal tradition, from the huge Kejetia market to the craft villages where cloth is still woven by hand. Plan your treetop morning with our Kakum canopy walk guide, then dive into culture with the Kumasi and Ashanti guide.

Accra and the northern parks

Most journeys begin in Accra, and it deserves more than a night. Between markets, live highlife, art galleries, street food and the Independence area with its Black Star Gate, there is plenty to enjoy, as our top things to do in Accra guide sets out. Give it a day or two at the start to find your feet and adjust before you head out on the road.

If you have time to go further, Mole National Park in the north is Ghana's premier safari destination, where elephants often wander close to the camp waterholes and can sometimes be watched from the terrace with a cold drink in hand. You may also spot antelope, warthogs and baboons, and the birdlife is superb. It is a long drive, so we usually fly one leg to Tamale to save a full day on the road. See our Mole safari guide for the practicalities.

Plan your Ghana highlights

The best Ghana trips are not about ticking off every attraction, but about pacing a handful well. A relaxed week can cover Accra, the coast and Kakum, while a fortnight adds Kumasi and Mole comfortably, with a little beach time to recover. Our 7-day and 14-day itineraries are good starting frameworks, and we tailor the balance of history, nature and rest to suit you.

Opening times, entry contributions and park fees do change, so please confirm current details before you set out. When you are ready, our on-the-ground team will happily turn this list into a trip that flows.

Questions people ask