Kumasi

Kumasi is the center of Asante culture, where royal palaces, kente weaving and one of West Africa's largest markets sit within one city in Ghana's forest country.

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Kumasi is the capital of Ghana's Ashanti Region and the country's second largest city, about 200 km from Accra. It was founded in the 1680s as the capital of the Asante Empire, which at its height covered large parts of present-day Ghana and Ivory Coast. The city is still the seat of the Asantehene, the Asante king, and its royal palaces and museums are among the main sights, including the Manhyia Palace and the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum.

Kejetia Market has more than 10,000 stores and stalls and is said to be the largest market in West Africa. It sits beside the Adum shopping area, and kente cloth is strongly linked to the city. Ahwiaa, a sub-town, is known for its wood carvings. Kumasi is also called the Garden City, a name tied to its many gardens and forests. The rains run from March to July and from September to November, so plan your trip around them.

Kumasi in five

Check the visa rule before you bookMany passports need a visa for Ghana, so check the Ghana Immigration Service site before you buy flights.Visas and entry
Take a bus or tro-tro from AccraKumasi is about 200 km from Accra, and passenger trains have been suspended for several years. Buses and tro-tros, which are minibuses that run fixed routes, are the usual way in.Getting around
Set up data before you landUber has operated in Kumasi since 2017, and maps and ride-hailing both need a connection. Set up an eSIM or local SIM before you arrive so you are not searching for a signal at the bus park.Phones and eSIM
Plan a morning at Kejetia MarketKejetia has more than 10,000 stores and stalls and is said to be the biggest market in West Africa. It borders the Adum shopping area. Street hawking is common around it, so keep your bag closed and in front of you.
Visit the Asante royal sites togetherManhyia Palace dates from 1925 and is now a museum. The Centre for National Culture houses the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum, which displays Asante regalia and a replica of the golden stool.

Things to do in Kumasi

See all attractions in Kumasi

Sight · KumasiWesley Methodist Cathedral

Museum · KumasiManhyia Palace Museum

Museum · KumasiPrempeh II Jubilee Museum

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to KumasiPut the places you like in Kumasi 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 needed for many passports; check the Ghana Immigration Service Read more
Emergency: 191 police, 192 fire, 193 ambulance; 112 general emergency
Tipping: Check the bill before you tip, since a service charge may be added
Time: UTC+0, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh36°Low22°Dry, dusty
FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh36°Low23°Hot, dry
MarchRain22 rainy daysHigh34°Low23°Rains begin
AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Major rains
MayRain23 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Major rains
JuneRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Major rains
JulyRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Rains ease
AugustRain22 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Between rains
SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh28°Low21°Minor rains
OctoberRain26 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Minor rains
NovemberRain15 rainy daysHigh32°Low22°Rains ending
DecemberClear6 rainy daysHigh34°Low22°Dry season

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

Festivals: Jan Kente Festival · Jul Adae Kese Festival · Aug Yaa Asantewaa festival, Adae Kese Festival · Sep Adae Kese Festival, Akyempem Festival · Oct Adae Kese Festival, Akyempem Festival · Nov Nkyidwo Festival · Dec Nkyidwo Festival

Right now in Kumasi

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

Feels like: 30°
Humidity: 96%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 76%

Kumasi

11:25 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today32°23°76%Monday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 76%.
Tue31°23°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed30°22°47%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 47%.
Thu30°23°18%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 18%.
Fri31°23°4%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 4%.
Sat31°23°2%Saturday: Fog. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 2%.
Sun31°23°6%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 6%.

Updated 10:18 PM local time · 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 Kumasi

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

JanKente FestivalKumasi
Jul–OctAdae Kese FestivalKumasi
AugYaa Asantewaa festivalKumasi
Sep–OctAkyempem FestivalKumasi
Nov–DecNkyidwo FestivalKumasi

Day trips by train

AccraAbout 200 km by roadThe national capital, reached by bus or tro-tro along the main road.
Lake BosomtweRoad route from KumasiA crater lake in forest country, and a quieter break from the city.
BonwireRoad route from KumasiA weaving town known for kente cloth, where you can watch the looms.

Before you go to Kumasi

eSIM for GhanaMaps and rides from the airportRead the guide

Travel insuranceMedical cover and lost bagsRead the guide

Money and cardsCedi cash and cards, what to carryRead the guide

Where to stayBases near the markets and palacesRead the guide

Rules for Kumasi, checked

Check the visa rule on the Ghana Immigration Service site before you fly.Source
Ask before you photograph people or traders at Kejetia Market, and do not photograph anyone who says no.
Keep bags closed and in front of you in crowded markets, bus parks and tro-tros, where traders and hawkers move through the crowds.

Plan around Kumasi

Visas and entry

Entry rules and documents for a Ghana trip

Read the guide Getting around Ghana

Buses and tro-tros from Accra, plus rides inside Kumasi

Read the guide Where to stay

Choosing a base for markets, palaces and main roads

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Data for maps and ride-hailing once you land

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards and what to carry for a day out

Read the guide All of Ghana

Regions, transport and entry rules for a wider trip

Read the guide

Kumasi FAQ

Is Kumasi worth visiting?

Yes, if you want the Asante royal sites, large markets and the kente and wood-carving traditions. Kumasi is the center of Asante culture and Ghana's second largest city.

How many days do you need in Kumasi?

Two days can cover Kejetia, the palaces and museums, Fort Kumasi and Ahwiaa for wood carving. Bonwire and Lake Bosomtwe work as day trips if you have time.

Is there a train from Accra to Kumasi?

No. Passenger trains have been suspended for several years, so buses and tro-tros are the usual way. Accra is about 200 km away.

What is the best time to visit Kumasi?

The major rains run from March to July and the minor rains from September to November, so December to February falls outside both. August sits between the major and minor rains.

Can you visit Kumasi as a day trip from Accra?

It is possible, but Kumasi is about 200 km from Accra by road, so much of the day goes to travel. Staying one night gives you time for the markets and the palaces.

What is Kente cloth?

Kente is a traditional woven textile strongly linked with Kumasi, and weavers often make it by hand using long-established methods. You can buy it at Kejetia Market or visit a weaving town such as Bonwire.