Accra

Ghana's capital on the Gulf of Guinea combines colonial forts from three old settlements with modern towers and busy markets.

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Accra is Ghana's capital and largest city, on the southern coast at the Gulf of Guinea. It is the economic and administrative hub of the Greater Accra Region, and the metropolitan area is home to about 4 million people. Parliament, the Supreme Court, Black Star Square and the Bank of Ghana are all here.

The city grew from three settlements built around colonial forts: Jamestown, Usshertown and Christiansborg. Ussher Fort, James Fort and Christiansborg Castle still stand in the old center, and they are useful landmarks for exploring the old city. Accra was the capital of the British Gold Coast from 1877 to 1957, when it replaced Cape Coast partly because its climate was drier. Newer districts mix 19th-century colonial buildings with modern skyscrapers and apartment blocks. Visitors come for the history, the markets, the coast and a hotel and conference scene.

Accra in five

Agree the taxi fare firstMost taxis in Accra have no meter, so settle the price with the driver before the trip starts. Uber and Yango also operate in the city, and some drivers add charges for luggage or late-night rides.Getting around
Ride a tro tro for cheap tripsTro tros are minibuses that stop at designated stops and at other points on request. Most routes start and end at terminals such as the Neoplan station or the Achimota Transport Terminal. Shared taxis with yellow or orange bumpers charge by distance traveled.Getting around
Fly into Accra International AirportThe airport is about 9.7 km (6 miles) from downtown and handles all of the city's scheduled passenger flights. Accra is not a port city, so arrivals by sea do not come through here.
Start with the three colonial fortsUssher Fort, James Fort and Christiansborg Castle stand in the old center, on the sites of Usshertown, Jamestown and Christiansborg, the three settlements the city grew from. Use them as landmarks when you walk the old quarter.
Check drainage before you book a street-level roomFlooding is a risk in areas with weak drainage, and the city is vulnerable to climate change and sea level rise. Ask the hotel how the street drains before you book a ground-floor room.Where to stay

Things to do in Accra

See all attractions in Accra

Landmark · AccraBlack Star Square

Museum · AccraNational Museum of Ghana

Beach · AccraBojo Beach

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to AccraPut the places you like in Accra on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Cedi (GHS)
Entry: Visa or visa-free depending on passport; check before you book Read more
Emergency: 191 police, 192 fire, 193 ambulance, 112 from any phone
Tipping: Ask your hotel or driver what is customary
Time: UTC+0, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear5 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Dry, hazy
FebruaryClear8 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hot, dry
MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Hot, rains start
AprilRain15 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Long rains
MayRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Rainy, humid
JuneRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rainy, flood risk
JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Cloudy, humid
AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Light rain, humid
SeptemberRain18 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Showers return
OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rainy, humid
NovemberRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Dry season starts
DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Dry season

Average daily high and low in Accra, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Mar Kpledjoo Festival · Apr Kpledjoo Festival · Aug Homowo Festival, Chale Wote Street Art Festival · Sep Kwame Nkrumah Festival · Dec Afrochella

Right now in Accra

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 31°
Humidity: 81%
Wind: 12 km/h
Chance of rain: 92%

Accra

09:14 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today32°27°92%Monday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 92%.
Tue32°26°88%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 88%.
Wed32°25°87%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 87%.
Thu31°25°86%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 86%.
Fri31°25°82%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 82%.
Sat32°25°78%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 78%.
Sun32°25°90%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 90%.

Updated 08:24 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 11.65 GHS

Amount

Converted to

GHS · Ghanaian Cedi

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Accra

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Mar–AprKpledjoo FestivalAccra
AugHomowo FestivalAccra
AugChale Wote Street Art FestivalAccra
SepKwame Nkrumah FestivalAccra
DecAfrochellaAccra

Day trips by train

TemaCheck drive time before you travelThe Port of Tema opened in 1961 for deepwater shipping, about 29 km east along the coast.
Cape CoastCheck drive time before you travelCape Coast Castle is on the coast, and Cape Coast was the Gold Coast capital until Accra replaced it in 1877.
KumasiCheck drive time before you travelKumasi, the Ashanti capital, is reached by the rail line from Accra or by road.

Before you go to Accra

Phones and eSIM for GhanaData options for arriving in AccraRead the guide

Travel insuranceMedical cover, delays and lost bagsRead the guide

Money and cardsCash, cards and typical day costsRead the guide

Where to stay in AccraCentral, colonial and budget areasRead the guide

Rules for Accra, checked

Check visa rules for your passport on the Ghana Immigration Service website before you fly, since entry depends on nationality.Source
Check the Ghana Revenue Authority website for customs rules before you pack gifts, goods or cash to carry into the country.Source

Plan around Accra

Where to stay in Accra

Central hotels, budget rooms and the areas to base yourself

Read the guide Getting around Accra

Taxis, tro tros, ride-hailing and the airport run

Read the guide Money and costs in Ghana

How to pay in Accra and typical costs for a day in the city

Read the guide Visas and entry

Which passports need a visa and where to check

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Mobile data options for arriving in Accra

Read the guide All of Ghana

Kumasi, Cape Coast and the rest of the country

Read the guide

Accra FAQ

How many days do you need in Accra?

Two days are enough for the three colonial forts, Black Star Square, a market and a day trip to the Port of Tema. Add a third day if you want Cape Coast or Kumasi.

Is Accra worth visiting?

Yes, if you want colonial history and the seat of government. It is a working capital with markets and business hotels, and it is not set up as a beach resort.

Where should I stay in Accra?

The central business district has the four-star hotels, including the Golden Tulip and the Novotel. Osu and Cantonments are older neighborhoods close to the center, and budget hotels are also available.

Does Accra have a port?

Accra is not a port city. The Port of Tema, about 29 km east along the coast, opened in 1961 for deepwater shipping.

How do I get from the airport to the city?

Accra International Airport is about 9.7 km (6 miles) from downtown. Agree a fixed fare with a taxi driver, or book a ride with Uber or Yango.

Do Accra taxis have meters?

Most do not. Metered taxis operate in the city but tend to cost more, so agree the fare with the driver before you get in.