The capital of Ghana is one of the largest metropolitan cities of Africa and stretches along Ghana’s Atlantic coast. With architecture from the 19th century to modern skyscrapers, this city has a blend of both worlds. With some exotic arts and crafts, classical historic sites and a bustling business and nightlife; Accra has become a renowned tourist destination. Let us look at the top five things to do in this gamma minus level world city.
- Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park
This park is made in memory of the founding father of the nation, Kwame Nkrumah, and houses the bodies of him and his wife. The Italian marble clad mausoleum is bounded by beautiful fountains and a lush green park where you can relax in peace. It is strategically placed in the city to pay tribute to his memory and has many symbols of unity, peace and life that give out different messages. Those tourists who are more interested in the history of Ghana can head to the National Museum of Ghana to delve deeper into the same.
- Osu Castle
This is a 17th century castle built by Denmark-Norway and has been since then in the control of many different rulers till Ghana became independent. The castle is not open to public and photography is restricted but seeing it from the outside gives you an idea of the history of the colonization of this nation.
- Makola Market
This is the traditional African market where you can find all types of Ghanaian delicacies and traditional foodstuffs, medicines, shoes and what not. This is the best place to explore the traditional Ghanaian life and discover the locals as well by personally interacting with them. Walking through this crowded and lively market place is an experience in itself and even though it may not be modern, it has a unique element to it.
- Jamestown
This is the place to be when you’re in Accra simply because it is one of the oldest districts of the city and holds deep historic secrets. This is where you get to see the colonial past of the country, and the Jamestown Lighthouse gives you some marvelous views of the James Fort, the Bukom district and the Ussher Fort. Today however, this locality is neglected by the governments and is in a state of decay and is a major fishing community, but still has the ancient colonial vibe to it and this is perhaps why it still draws thousands of tourists.
- Beaches
Being a coastal city, Accra has some stunning beaches where you can enjoy seeing the sun reflecting on the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The beautiful Bojo beach is a peaceful beach while the Labadi Pleasure Beach is the busiest beach here and is maintained by hotels and this is the place to head to for some performances of reggae, hip life, and cultural drumming and dancing. With many hotels around, you can get some splendid views of the ocean while staying here.
With ample to offer and enjoy, it is no doubt that Accra is among the most visited cities in the continent and continues to grow. With some beautiful destinations around the city at a stone’s throw distance, this is definitely the place to head to for a cozy African holiday.
Recent Comments