AccraCapital
Ghana · Country profile
Accra is the capital of Ghana, a bustling, humid city of the West African coast where the colonial forts, the independence monuments and the markets of the everyday live side by side with the towering office blocks and the beachfront bars of the fast-growing modern capital. The city has grown from the colonial trading towns of the coast into the great urban centre of the country, and its neighbourhoods, from the historic Jamestown with its lighthouse and its fishing harbour to the busy business districts and the leafy suburbs of the north, hold the whole range of the Ghanaian life. The city is friendly, loud and full of energy, and the warmth of its people, the richness of its food and the growing cultural life of its galleries and its concert halls make it a genuine, lively introduction to the modern Africa.
About Accra
Accra is the capital of Ghana. The city's documented population is around 2,634,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Ghanaian Cedi (GHS) and English is spoken; the dialling code is +233. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Kotoka International Airport.
The Jamestown, the Independence Square and the Beaches of the Coast
Accra is a spreading, energetic West African capital where the historic forts of the slave coast, the modern towers and the open-air markets all share the same steamy pavement. The city is less a compact tourist centre than a set of neighbourhoods spread over a wide coastal plain, so the days move between the old town, the malls and the beaches by taxi or ride app. The energy is relentless, the heat is constant and the welcome is famously warm. It is the natural gateway to the country, and its markets, its galleries and its beaches give the visitor a genuine, unpolished slice of the modern West African life.
The Harmattan, the Rains and the Cedi of the Everyday
The climate is tropical and hot all year, with two rainy seasons and the drier spells the best window for the travel; the Harmattan of the winter months brings the dusty winds of the north. The historic sites of the city, the forts and the museums, are best visited in the mornings, and the beaches and the markets come alive toward the evening. The Ghanaian cedi is the currency, and the mobile money and the card are widely used in the modern areas while the cash helps in the markets. English is the official language and is spoken everywhere. The city is safe in its main areas with the usual big-city care at night, and the taxi apps work well in the newer districts.
The Makola Market, the Jollof Stalls and the Highlife of the Weekends
The historic quarter of Jamestown, with its lighthouse climbs and its drama of the fishing harbour, is the great heritage walk, and the museums of the city, from the national museum to the galleries of the black star square, tell the national story. The markets of the city, the great Makola market with its thousands of stalls, are the sensory heart of the everyday Ghana, and the beachfront bars and the jollof food stalls of the coast hold the evening life. The nightlife of the city, the highlife and the concerts of the weekend, is among the liveliest of the region, and the famous Ghanaian hospitality, the church life of the Sundays and the football of the weekends give the whole city its rhythm.
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- Country
- Ghana
- Population
- 2,634,000
- Coordinates
- 5.6052, -0.1668
- Capital
- Accra
- Region
- Africa
- Currency
- Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +233
- Country code
- GH
Entry requirements for Ghana
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Ghana for tourism.
Getting to Accra
Airports we list for Accra:
Frequently asked questions
Is Accra the capital of Ghana?
Yes — Accra is the capital of Ghana.
What currency do I need in Accra?
The local currency is the Ghanaian Cedi (GHS). Languages spoken in Ghana include English.
What is the dialling code for Ghana?
The international dialling code for Ghana is +233.
Which airport should I fly into for Accra?
Kotoka International Airport (ACC) is the airport we list for Accra.
Do I need a visa to visit Ghana?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Morocco currently enter Ghana visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Accra? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.