7 Days in Accra & Kumasi, Ghana

Accra, Ghana · 7 days, 6 nights · mid-range · from about $1800 per person · best in November, December, January

Accra pulses with energy—Independence Avenue's vendors, Makola Market's chaos, and Jamestown's fishing nets. Inland, Kumasi reveals Ashanti royal history at Manhyia Palace Museum and the emerald forests of Kakum National Park. This is West Africa's heartbeat without the hype.

What to expect

Explore Jamestown's colonial fishing quarter and Makola Central Market
Tour Fort St. Jago and other Cape Coast-era slave trade forts
Hike the canopy walkway 40m above Kakum rainforest floor
Eat jollof rice and grilled tilapia in unpretentious chop bars
Visit Manhyia Palace Museum for Ashanti royal regalia and history
Browse Accra's Osu neighbourhood for art galleries and vinyl shops

Day by day

Day 1: Arrive in Accra; Jamestown and Osu

Land at Kotoka; settle into Osu, Accra's creative hub near Independence Avenue.

Walk Jamestown's narrow lanes; photograph Palaver Square and colonial architecture.

Dinner at a local chop bar on Oxford Street; live highlife music nearby.

Day 2: Accra markets and history

Early visit to Makola Central Market for textiles, crafts, fresh fruit chaos.

Manhyia Palace Museum (closed Mondays); Ashanti royal throne and golden regalia.

Sunset drink at Labadi Beach; street food grilled corn and kelewele.

Day 3: Day trip to Cape Coast forts

2.5-hour drive west to Cape Coast; tour Fort St. Jago's dungeons and slave routes.

Visit Fort Caroline and the nearby Cathedral; lunch on fresh fish.

Return to Accra; rest and reflect.

Day 4: Travel to Kumasi

Early 4-hour drive north-west to Kumasi, heart of Ashanti Kingdom.

Settle in; explore Kejetia Market, West Africa's largest open-air market.

Walk around Kumasi Fort area; dinner at a local spot serving fufu.

Day 5: Kakum National Park canopy walk

1-hour drive south to Kakum; 40-metre canopy walkway through rainforest.

Forest trails, wildlife spotting (monkeys, civets, birds), picnic lunch.

Return to Kumasi; evening at a craft market or garden bar.

Day 6: Kumasi royal and spiritual sites

Manhyia Palace Museum (again, more depth); golden treasures and oral history.

Visit Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital's sacred sword and healing grove.

Shop Kejetia or relax; early night before travel.

Day 7: Return to Accra; depart

4-hour drive back to Accra; last-minute Osu shopping or gallery visit.

Lunch at a rooftop spot overlooking Independence Avenue.

Evening flight home or stay another night.

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