FUN TRIPS TO GHANA
EXPLORE THE UNKNOWN
If you have never been to Ghana or Africa before, it is about time you did so. There are 100s of videos on YouTube where people share their wonderful experience in Ghana. Don’t just keep watching the videos. Take that bold step and join Projects of Heart to enjoy a life-changing trip to Ghana this coming December. This is a trip worth making.
There are many fun things to do in Ghana. We would like you to learn more about what you can do in Ghana by sharing the experience of a DIY WITH JOY visitor who has visited on two occasions. Here is her story.
I just recently returned from my second trip to Ghana, and I can’t express how much Ghana felt like home. As soon as I stepped out of the plane, I felt so much peace and calmness. The airport staff greeted me with a warm welcome. Akwaaba, they said to me, which means welcome in Twi (a Ghanaian local language).
Both visits to Ghana have had a whole vibe and held a special place in my heart. From friendly people to mouthwatering food, history, culture, and art, Ghana has so much to offer. The first time I visited Ghana, I paired it with a trip to Nigeria, and I highly recommend country pairing. Whenever I think of my trip to Ghana, I have nothing but warm memories. It helped that we hired a personal driver to take us to tourist attractions outside of Accra.
Before you travel to Ghana, I highly recommend getting insurance as soon as you book your flights. My favourite travel insurance is Safety Wing, and AXA is also good. If you are thinking of travelling to Ghana for the first time or returning, this detailed Ghana travel guide is perfect for you.
Travelling To Ghana In 2025 – The Entry Requirements
Ghana has two major international airports, Kotoka International Airport and Kumasi International Airport. In general, most visitors prefer to fly into Accra via Kotoka International Airport. There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Ghana.
Visas
You need a visa to enter Ghana. For a UK passport holder, a single-entry visa costs £60 and is valid for up to 3 months. You can visit the Ghana High Commission website to stay up to date and to make an online application. For US passport holders, a single-entry visa costs $60. Visit the Ghana Embassy in Washington, DC website for more info. ECOWAS international passport holders (including my fellow Nigerians) can travel to Ghana visa-free for up to 3 months. For air travel, an ECOWAS International passport is the only valid document allowed. Alternatively, if you are a Nigerian travelling by road, you can use your NIN, international passport, or an ECOWAS Travel certificate. Starting in 2025, all African passport holders visiting Ghana will be able to enter visa-free.
Dual Nationality
Ghana recognises dual nationality. To avoid visa fees, Ghanaian-British dual nationals should register with the Interior Ministry in Ghana and get a Dual Nationality Card. Production of this card at the point of entry into Ghana will indicate that a visa is not required.
Passport Validity
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Ghana.
Yellow Fever Certificate Requirements
You will be expected to present a yellow fever vaccination certificate on arrival in Ghana for all travellers 9 months of age and older, even if you are transiting. Please note that if you are getting the Yellow fever vaccination before your trip to Ghana, you are required to have been vaccinated against Yellow Fever at least ten (10) days before the proposed date of travel. The good news is that once you get this vaccine, it provides lifelong protection.
Where To Stay In Accra?
Projects of Heart will be responsible for arranging your accommodation. However, we would like you to continue reading to learn more about Ghana.
If you’re heading to Accra for the first time, it’s important to vet your accommodation before booking and always check reviews. The best areas to stay in Accra are:
Osu: This is one of the very popular and busy areas in Accra, with a busy nightlife. Its unique blend of business and entertainment makes it an ideal location for tourists to explore.
From immersing yourself in Ghanaian culture and shopping for authentic local crafts to enjoying the area’s electric nightlife, visitors to Osu are sure to have an unforgettable experience.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, culture, or simply a taste of urban Ghanaian life, Osu has something for you.
Labone: This is a great place for people who love art and culture. There are many galleries and museums there. The Artists Alliance Gallery shows modern African art. The National Museum of Ghana teaches visitors about the country’s history and culture.
North Ridge: North Ridge in Accra, Ghana, is a vibrant area that offers a unique cultural experience for visitors. There are many exciting things to do and see here. Top attractions include:
– The National Museum of Ghana which shares the country’s history and culture through interesting exhibits.
– Independence Square is a significant landmark that celebrates Ghana’s freedom from British rule.
– Osu Castle is a historic site that can be explored.
– Labadi Beach is a great spot for a relaxing walk along the coast.
– Aburi Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place to connect with nature.
Cantonments: Cantonments is an upscale and affluent area in which to stay in Accra. It has pretty streets with trees and old buildings. Many important people live here because it’s a safe and nice place. Many embassies and offices are also here, so it’s a good place for business people and foreigners. Tourists like to visit too, because they can learn about Ghana’s history and culture.
East Legon: Watch locals go about their day, eat at great restaurants, and enjoy affordable nightclubs. The people are friendly too! East Legon has fancy hotels, but you can also find affordable places to stay. There’s something for everyone!
Top Things You Need To Know Before You Go To Ghana
Getting around Accra
Uber and Bolt work in major cities like Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and Cape Coast, so make sure you download them if you’re looking for a convenient way to get around. Although card payments can be used for Uber and Bolt trips, you’ll quickly discover that drivers strongly prefer payment in cash. I would also recommend hiring a local driver to get around. I did this for day trips from Accra, which worked better for my schedule and gave me the freedom to choose where to go.
Malaria In Ghana
The risk of contracting malaria (transmitted by mosquitoes) in Ghana is high if preventative measures are not taken. The best way to avoid mosquito bites is to cover up with long sleeves and long trousers, especially after sunset, to apply insect repellent to exposed skin, and to sleep under a mosquito net. It is also advisable to take anti-malaria tablets during your stay in Ghana. You should consult your doctor or general practitioner about the right anti-malarial tablets for you.
Money in Ghana
Ghana Cedis
The local currency in Ghana is called the Ghana cedi. Cash is king when it comes to shopping in local markets, food stalls, and using public transport. If you’re like me and don’t really like carrying a lot of cash with you, I like to do transfers when making purchases that only accept cash/transfers. A good app, a money transfer app to send money to Ghana, to download on your phone, is Sendwave. It makes it simple to send money from the UK, US, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, and Ireland to Ghana at affordable rates. Use my code OQF8X to get a £5.00 credit towards your first transfer. This was quite convenient for me when paying deposits for beauty services or tours. Additionally, bring your credit/debit cards for larger expenses and withdraw money from ATMs when needed. My go-to travel card is Monzo as it offers great exchange rates, and I can easily track my spending.
Language in Ghana
As English is the official language in Ghana, English-speaking visitors are likely to have no language barrier issues. Although English is widely spoken in Ghana, Ghanaians also speak local languages from their ethnic groups, such as Twi, Ewe, Ga, Fante, Hausa, etc.
How To Stay Connected While In Ghana?
Staying connected to the internet during your stay makes it easier to navigate the country. You’ll be able to use data to travel around the country, call Ghanaian businesses about enquiries, or contact Uber drivers. For SIM card registration, you’ll need to bring your passport with you as the SIM card will be registered under your name and passport details. MTN has the country’s best coverage and speed network. Getting a physical SIM card in Ghana can be time-consuming, and the process can be tedious. Getting an e-SIM is a much simpler process than going to a store to register for a SIM card. As soon as you land at the airport, you’ll be able to connect to the internet while you are travelling around Ghana without being charged roaming fees from your phone company.
Restaurant Recommendations In Accra
If you leave Ghana without trying its delicious cuisine, then I am side-eyeing you. When in Ghana, you have gotta try some street food and eat Red Red, Ghana Jollof, fried rice, Shito, Kelewele, and waakye. Chale, these dishes will leave you in a food coma (literally ). If you’re looking for more traditional Ghanaian foods to add to your list to try, check out this A to Z guide of Ghanaian food favourites.
The most popular Ghanaian foods are Fufu, jollof rice, Wakye, banks, okro, groundnut, and palm nut soups, and clinching (kebab).
Restaurants To Try In Accra:
- The Living Room (£-££) – This is a budget-friendly restaurant serving authentic Ghanaian cuisine. I recommend visiting on Sundays.
- The Buka Restaurant (££ – £££) – Authentic Ghanaian and Nigerian cuisine located in Osu
- Kozo (£££ – ££££) – This is an upscale and elegant afro-asian fusion restaurant perfect for a date night or special occasion. We celebrated my friend’s birthday here and the ambience, service and food were perfect.
- La Gardina (££ – £££) – This is a gorgeous floral contemporary French-inspired courtyard in East Cantonments with Alfresco dining. They serve some Italian classics and have a day brunch menu. Time your visit for their 2-for-1 cocktails from Tuesday to Friday between 5 pm – 8 pm.
- Bistro 22 (££ – £££) – International, European, & Vegetarian friendly
- Pomona (£££) – Italian restaurant located in Osu
- Coco Lounge (££ – £££) – International, bar and pub food located in Airport City
- Urban Grill (£££) – Seafood restaurant located in Airport City
- Breakfast to breakfast (££ – £££) – International, vegetarian-friendly, and vegan options located in Osu. It’s also one of the few restaurants that is open 24 hours a day and is great after a night out.
- Rockz Waakye (£ – ££) – If you’re looking for an easy introduction to one of Ghana’s beloved local dishes, Waakye, but aren’t quite ready to try it from a street vendor, this casual open-air restaurant is a great place to start.
- La Palm Royal Beach Hotel (££) – A choice of 7 restaurants and bars, serving local and international eats. La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, located in Labadi Beach, also has a popular Sunday buffet.
- Frankie’s (£ – ££) – A Ghanaian franchise restaurant serving Ghanaian classics
- Dimaensa (£ – ££) – A bar, grill, and lounge restaurant serving authentic local Ghanaian dishes, and is located in Abelemkpe.
- Papaye (£) – A Ghanaian fast-food chain if you’re looking for quick bites
Nightlife, Events, and Festivals
You can’t come to Accra and not experience the nightlife and festivities during December. Here are some clubs and bars I would recommend in Accra.
Top Clubs In Accra, Ghana
- Twist
- Ace Tantra
- Carbon Club
- Sandbox Beach Club (Labadi Beach)
- Polo Beach Club
- Plot 7
Top Bars To Visit In Accra, Ghana
- SkyBar 25
- LevelUp Lounge
- FrrontBack
- Luna Bar
- Area Bar
- The Alley Bar
If you’re looking for an easy introduction to one of Ghana’s beloved local dishes, Waakye, but aren’t quite ready to try it from a street vendor, this casual open-air restaurant is a great place to start.
Accra Nightlife Weekly Schedule
- Monday – start at Exhale Lounge and end your night at Mood Bar
- Tuesday – Republic (karaoke), Zen Garden (live band), or +233 Jazz club
- Wednesday – Salsa nights at Afrikiko
- Thursdays – levels, Afrikiko, mood bar
- Friday – Republic bar, Alley bar, front/ back
- Saturday – Garage, Mad club
- Sundays – Bella Afrik Exhale lounge, Skybar 25 ( you have to make a reservation)
On Sundays, most people also go to the beach. If you’re looking to experience beach clubs in Accra, I recommend Sandbox Beach Club and Polo Beach Club.
Events and Festivals
There’s always something to do in Ghana, whether it’s an all-white party or a cultural festival. Ghana is a vibe, and it is a good idea to plan your trip around an event or festival you’ll be interested in attending! To keep up to date with Accra’s events all year round, check out Accra Events on Instagram for the most reliable event page. Check out Akwaaba Group and Eventbrite for Ghana events in December. With annual festivals like the AfroXmas masquerade festival in Tema and AfroFuture (Previously known as Afrochella) in Accra making an annual comeback, Ghana is the place to be, especially in December!
What Can You Do in Ghana?
There’s more to Ghana than Accra. I would recommend venturing out of Accra and exploring other regions. We hired a driver to do day trips.
Top Things To Do In Accra
The capital city of Ghana is where you’ll catch all the enjoyment, history, and vibes.
1. Black Star Square
Did you know that in 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan nation to gain independence? The Black Star Square, also known as Independence Square, is a symbol of independence. You can climb up to the top and get city views of Accra. You’ll be able to spot the Accra Sports Stadium and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. I recommend doing a guided city tour with a local tour guide, as you’ll learn about Ghana’s rich culture and history.
Black Star Square
Makola Market is Accra’s largest open-air market, where you can pretty much find anything. I would recommend going with a local so they can help you negotiate reasonable prices for items. If you make your way to Osu, stop by Oxford Street. With a lot of bars, restaurants, and stalls to shop for beautiful kente prints and other souvenirs, it’s a lively street with incredible energy. The evening I visited, there was music blasting and people were dancing and having fun.
3. Visit Accra Art Center and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
The Accra Regional Centre for Culture, “The Arts Center,” is better known simply as the National Center for Culture in Accra, Ghana. It is situated right next to the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, where the Kwame Nkrumah Museum is. The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park is significant because it is the final resting place of Ghana’s first President. To enter Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, the entry fees are 100 Ghana Cedis for non-Ghanaians and 25 Ghana Cedis for Ghanaians.
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
4. Jamestown
Jamestown is the oldest district in Accra and the best place to experience remnants of colonial rule, fishing, Ghanaian music, dance, art, and historic traditions of birth celebrations and festivals. Jamestown is primarily a fishing community and is inhabited by the Ga people of Ghana.
Jamestown, Accra
5. Osu Castle
In case you don’t have the time to take the drive to Cape Coast where a lot of the Castles are, visit Osu Castle which is located in Osu, Accra.
6. Legon Botanical Gardens
The Legon Botanical Gardens is located in the heart of Accra, in the University of Ghana. It’s a beautiful, dynamic outdoor play space for all ages, especially kids, with activities including a high ropes course, children’s playground, canoeing, canopy walk, ziplining, and bird watching.
7. Explore The Many Beaches In Accra
One thing you don’t want to miss when in Accra is visiting a beach. Check out Coco Beach, Bojo Beach, and Labadi Beach, which have plenty of activities such as jet skiing and horseback riding along the beach. If you want a change of scenery, book a beach resort with scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re willing to venture out, there are some more beautiful beaches in Greater Accra. Kokrobite Beach is also another popular beach destination in Ghana, located a few kilometres outside Accra. Just an hour and a half drive from Accra, experience a day trip at Aqua Safari Resort, which has an abundance of activities you can do, such as jet skiing, bonfire night, horse riding, canoeing, flyboarding, and more.
Get away from the city and experience some green spaces by hiking the Shai Hills, located in the Shai Osudoku District in Greater Accra.
9. Batik Making Class
During my most recent visit to Ghana, I had a fun cultural experience doing a Batik-making class with @ghanatravelexperience (Book your experience with them), where you get to make your batik fabric from start to finish. Batik making is an ancient art practised for over 2000 years. The process uses dye-resistant wax to create elaborate designs and patterns. Then the wax is washed off to reveal the pattern.
One of Ghana’s sixteen administrative regions is the Central Region. Ashanti and Eastern regions border it to the north, the Western region to the west, the Greater Accra region to the east, and the south by the Gulf of Guinea.
- Experience Nature At Kakum National Park
Kakum National Park
Some tips to help prepare for your trip here:
- Wear comfortable shoes, preferably trainers. You will have to walk through a forest trail before reaching the start of the canopy.
- Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated, as it does get really hot. There is a shop and restaurant on site where you can buy water, too.
- It’s best not to carry any heavy items in your hands since you will need your hands to hold the ropes on both sides as you walk along. Bring a small backpack or side bag to put your belongings in, because if your camera just drops in the swamp or forest, you will not see it ever again.
- Learn About The History Of The Transatlantic Slave Trade at Cape Coast Castle & Elmina Castle
When visiting the Cape Coast, I would recommend you take a tour of Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle, both of which played significant roles in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. There is a 20-minute drive between Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle, so if time permits, visit both. The first slave shipment left Ghana’s coast for the Americas over 400 years ago. The Portuguese, British, Dutch, French, Germans, Danes, and Swedes came this way to colonize, with each of them building their own fort/castle in Ghana.
Cape Coast Castle
At Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle, you will be taken on a guided tour of these castles to explore their dungeons that held enslaved Africans up to 3 months before transfer across the Atlantic to the New World. From dark underground dungeons to the “door of no return,” observe and have a feel of the conditions the captives went through in this bastion.
We had limited time, and we were only able to visit Elmina Castle, which was an overwhelming experience. To hear the words of the guide narrate the horrific events of slavery and what my African ancestors went through was truly indescribable. But to give you a few words, it was sickening, horrific, and inhumane. You can’t leave this place without feeling emotional. It shouldn’t really be called a ‘castle’. It’s a dungeon of hell for unspeakable acts that I hope never repeat in our lifetime.
The castle shouldn’t be seen as a tourist site but rather as a historical site, an opportunity to connect with our ancestors and learn the true dark history. Knowledge is power, our history matters, and our story matters.
Fishing Village in Elmina
Top Things To Do In Eastern Region
The Eastern Region is located in southern Ghana and is one of the sixteen administrative regions of Ghana. It is bordered to the east by Lake Volta, to the north by the Bono East Region and Ashanti Region, to the west by the Ashanti Region, and to the south by the Central Region and the Greater Accra Region.
- Boti Falls
Boti Falls is a twin waterfall located in the eastern region of Ghana. It’s about 2.5 hours (depending on traffic) from Accra. This makes another great day trip from Accra, and I would recommend making a stop at Aburi Botanical Gardens, too. I had such a fun day with the girls and Michael. You can catch the rest of the highlights in my stories.
Abrui Botanical Gardens
- Abrui Botanical Gardens
The Aburi Botanical Gardens are located in Aburi in the Eastern region of Ghana. The garden occupies an area of 64.8 hectares. Nature lovers will appreciate the abundance of bird and butterfly species found here. For picnic enthusiasts, the garden offers a serene atmosphere.
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