Ghana travel guide

Ghana Tourism | Ghana Guide

You're Going to Love Ghana

Boasting a combination of beautiful beaches, culture, history, and an interior countryside that is home to wildlife roaming in its natural habitat, Ghana is a country that holds many attractions.

What to do in Ghana

1. Relax on the Beaches at Busua

With a range of seafood restaurants and great waves for surfers, this is a popular beach that stretches for around 9 mi and is home to various resorts – both luxury and rustic.

2. Visit the Traditional Coffin Makers

Travel to Teshie-Nungua, just east of Accra, to see the Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop of the renowned Fantasy Coffins where coffins are related to what the person did in life – for example, a fisherman may be buried in an elaborately carved coffin shaped like a fish.

3. Explore Coastal Castles

There are more than 20 coastal battlements to explore along the Ghana coast, but two of the best include the Portuguese-built castle at Elmina and the Cape Coast Castle, both of which are a stark reminder of Ghana's history and the existence of the slave trade.

4. Walk in the Trees

The Kakum Canopy Walk consists of a network of rope suspension bridges hung in the canopy of the jungle at the Kakum National Park, which takes visitors 130 ft above the ground.

5. Go to Kumasi

Visit the city of Kumasi to explore some of the history of the Ashanti Kingdom. Check out Manhiya Palace and the National Culture Centre and pop into the bustling Kejetia Market.

1. Relax on the Beaches at Busua

With a range of seafood restaurants and great waves for surfers, this is a popular beach that stretches for around 9 mi and is home to various resorts – both luxury and rustic.

2. Visit the Traditional Coffin Makers

Travel to Teshie-Nungua, just east of Accra, to see the Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop of the renowned Fantasy Coffins where coffins are related to what the person did in life – for example, a fisherman may be buried in an elaborately carved coffin shaped like a fish.

3. Explore Coastal Castles

There are more than 20 coastal battlements to explore along the Ghana coast, but two of the best include the Portuguese-built castle at Elmina and the Cape Coast Castle, both of which are a stark reminder of Ghana's history and the existence of the slave trade.

4. Walk in the Trees

The Kakum Canopy Walk consists of a network of rope suspension bridges hung in the canopy of the jungle at the Kakum National Park, which takes visitors 130 ft above the ground.

5. Go to Kumasi

Visit the city of Kumasi to explore some of the history of the Ashanti Kingdom. Check out Manhiya Palace and the National Culture Centre and pop into the bustling Kejetia Market.

When to visit Ghana

With its tropical climate and proximity to the Equator, it is possible to visit Ghana at any time of the year. It is better to aim for the months between October and April when the weather is drier and humidity can be lower. Temperatures will range from 68-86°F.

How to Get to Ghana

Entry requirements

US, UK, EU and Canada passport holders will require a visa to visit Ghana and will need to have a passport that is valid for at least six months, as well as an onward/return ticket. Visas should be obtained before travel and will be paid in US dollars. It costs around 331 GHS (60 USD) for a single entry and 552 GHS (100 USD) for a multiple-entry visa.

Plane

Flying is the quickest way to get into Ghana. The main airport is Kotoka International Airport in Accra, which receives flights from carriers such as Emirates, Air France, Delta Air Lines and KLM.

Bus

The national bus company of Ghana operates an intercity bus service between Accra and neighboring West African countries, such as Burkina Faso and Côte D'Ivoire.

Entry requirements

US, UK, EU and Canada passport holders will require a visa to visit Ghana and will need to have a passport that is valid for at least six months, as well as an onward/return ticket. Visas should be obtained before travel and will be paid in US dollars. It costs around 331 GHS (60 USD) for a single entry and 552 GHS (100 USD) for a multiple-entry visa.

Plane

Flying is the quickest way to get into Ghana. The main airport is Kotoka International Airport in Accra, which receives flights from carriers such as Emirates, Air France, Delta Air Lines and KLM.

Bus

The national bus company of Ghana operates an intercity bus service between Accra and neighboring West African countries, such as Burkina Faso and Côte D'Ivoire.

Popular airports in Ghana

Popular airlines serving Ghana

Lufthansa
Good (7,112 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,348 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (8,656 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,830 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,614 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,919 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,107 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,440 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,804 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,510 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,655 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (8,325 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (356 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,223 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,335 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,878 reviews)
Ethiopian Air
Good (782 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (903 reviews)
Egyptair
Good (414 reviews)
Air India
Okay (2,927 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Ghana

Accommodation in Ghana ranges from luxury hotels in cities, such as Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi, to mid-priced bed and breakfast guesthouse style accommodation along the coast.

Where to stay in popular areas of Ghana

Most booked hotels in Ghana

Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City
5 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
S$ 452+
Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra
5 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
S$ 343+
Alisa Hotel North Ridge
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
S$ 224+
Labadi Beach Hotel
5 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
S$ 354+
Grand Star Hotel
3 stars
Good (7.5, Good reviews)
S$ 42+
La Palm Royal Beach Hotel
4 stars
Good (7.4, Good reviews)
S$ 212+

How to Get Around Ghana

Public Transportation

There is an extensive private sector-owned network of buses and taxis that transports people in the cities of Ghana. Taxis are reasonably priced and easy to catch in town. There are also tro-tros (minibuses) that run around the towns, but they may be crowded and not as comfortable.

Bus

Buses in the form of long-distance coaches are a more comfortable way to travel around Ghana than the more compact minibuses. As well as the local government-owned coach line, there is a privately run company called VIP Jeoun Transport Company that has air-conditioned coaches with comfortable seats.

Plane

Domestic flights between Accra and other towns, such as Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale, are operated by Africa World Airlines on a daily basis.

Public Transportation

There is an extensive private sector-owned network of buses and taxis that transports people in the cities of Ghana. Taxis are reasonably priced and easy to catch in town. There are also tro-tros (minibuses) that run around the towns, but they may be crowded and not as comfortable.

Bus

Buses in the form of long-distance coaches are a more comfortable way to travel around Ghana than the more compact minibuses. As well as the local government-owned coach line, there is a privately run company called VIP Jeoun Transport Company that has air-conditioned coaches with comfortable seats.

Plane

Domestic flights between Accra and other towns, such as Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale, are operated by Africa World Airlines on a daily basis.

The Cost of Living in Ghana

Some of the major hotels and restaurants in Accra will accept credit cards, but in general, they are not used in Ghana. ATMs exist in larger urban areas and some of these accept international cards. You could expect a gallon of milk and a dozen eggs to cost around 51 GHS (9.30 USD) in a grocery store while eating out may cost around 22 GHS (4.00 USD) per person in one of the local, inexpensive restaurants.

Popular cities in Ghana