Five Star Hotels in Accra (and vicinity)

Exploring Accra

The modern metropolis of Accra is the cultural and administrative center of Ghana, set along the Atlantic shoreline and home to over four million inhabitants spread across its central area and surrounding shanty towns. It colonial history began 100 years after its settlement by the Ga tribes in the 15th century, with the city having become a hub for the slave trade. Forts erected by the European countries involved in the trade can still be seen here, with the largest, Osu Fort, now serving as the seat of Ghana’s government. Jamestown is the city’s historic heart, home to colonial buildings and landmarks, and close to ultra-modern upscale hotels including the African Regent Hotel and the Villa Monticello.

Nowadays, Accra is well set-up as a tourist destination and generally safe to explore on foot, although certain areas are best avoided at night. The city boasts six museums, a popular beach area, a great choice of eateries, a vibrant nightlife, and a fascinating cultural scene. English is widely spoken and the people are welcoming and friendly. The historic Jamestown district is still a working fishing harbor, and a visit here in the early morning means witnessing fishermen unloading and selling their catches. Clifftop views, winding alleyways, and old stone houses are the district’s other attractions.

Sights nearby

For visitors seeking an African experience, Accra is a good place to start, with its thriving traditional craft and artists’ colonies and workshops, lively street markets, and little local eateries.

Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop
Set by Teshie First Junction, the workshop makes the now-famous design coffins traditional to the area. Carved as objects relevant to the deceased, such as fish, aircraft, or fruit, the coffins became fantastic collectors’ items in the 1950s and are now regarded by collectors the world over as authentic contemporary artworks. Of course, they’re still made to order and used for local funerals.

Artists Alliance Gallery
The search for souvenirs of a vacation in Ghana isn’t complete without a visit to this gallery on La Beach Road. Set on three floors, the gallery has a selection of craftworks and art, from inexpensive traditional carvings to expensive paintings by Ghana’s most famed artists.

University of Ghana
For a peaceful, relaxing afternoon away from the clamor of the city, visitors should head to the campus of the University of Ghana. Ancient trees shelter pretty walks and there’s a botanical garden with interesting flora. Cafés are scattered around and serve ethnic Ghanaian cuisine at student prices.

Kaneshie Market
This totally traditional African market is great for people-watching as well as shopping for everything from local foodstuffs to crafts, curios, local fashion items, textiles, and more. It’s the least touristy of all the markets and offers a genuine Ghanaian retail experience, with haggling as standard and a great deal of fun involved.

Eating and drinking and shopping nearby

Osu district is the trendy, modern hub for nightlife, restaurants, and other entertainments, and features the newly-cool lifestyle eateries which are popular with Accra’s young set as well as the expat community. Choices of cuisine range from Ghanain traditional dishes to Western specialty eateries, and the nightlife here is best sampled after midnight in the area around Oxford Street. Upscale hotels such as the Labadi Beach Hotel have their own versions of fine dining and clubbing, as well as lounging in cocktail bars with views of the glowing night-time cityscape. Best buys here are found in the markets and range from carved traditional masks to pottery, textiles, musical instruments, drums, tribal costumes, batiks, and curios.

Public transport

Direct flights from Europe, the US, the Middle East, and other African states arrive at Kotoka International Airport. Getting to your hotel is via the official taxi stand as unlicensed cabs are likely to overcharge. The best plan for travel around the city is to hire a car with a driver, an affordable, safe option with the added bonus of an English-speaking driver who is happy to act as guide and translator during your stay. Taxis can be hailed on the streets, but drivers typically have poor knowledge of the city and fares must be negotiated before the ride commences. For a truly African experience, the dilapidated minivans known as tro-tros, which serve as buses for the vast majority of Accra’s population, should be taken at least once.