Ghana is West Africa’s warm handshake—historic coastal forts, highlife rhythms, and some of the continent’s most welcoming smiles. From Accra’s street art and sizzling chop bars to Cape Coast’s UNESCO-listed castles, the country invites travelers to learn, feel, and taste. With this 4-day itinerary, you’ll base yourself in Accra and branch out to the coast for a memorable history-and-nature day.

Modern Ghana was born in 1957 as the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence. That pride is writ large at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and in everyday life—football broadcasts, Friday print shirts, and the aroma of waakye, kelewele, and grilled tilapia. Expect traffic and hustle, but also ease: English is widely spoken, mobile payments are common, and Ubers are plentiful.

Practical notes: A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is required for entry; consult your clinician about malaria prophylaxis. The best weather runs November–March (dry season). Carry small cash for markets; cards work at many hotels and restaurants. Dress modestly when visiting castles and memorials, and ask before photographing people or shrines.

Accra

Accra is a mosaic: colonial-era Jamestown lighthouses, sleek galleries in Labone, and the sound of afrobeats spilling onto Oxford Street in Osu. Start slow with Ghanaian coffee and pastries, then dive into markets, murals, and the storied halls of the W.E.B. Du Bois Center.

• Top sights: Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, Black Star Square, Jamestown, Makola Market, Artists Alliance Gallery, W.E.B. Du Bois Center, Labadi Beach.
• Why visit: Vibrant food scene (from waakye to fine-dining seafood), a lively arts community, nightlife with live bands and DJs, and easy day-trip access to Cape Coast and rainforest canopy walks.
• Food to try: Jollof rice with grilled chicken, banku and tilapia with shito, waakye with gari and spaghetti, goat light soup, kelewele (spiced fried plantain).

Where to stay (Accra):

• Search apartments and villas on VRBO Accra.
• Compare hotel rates on Hotels.com Accra.
• Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City (downtown business-luxe, big pool, excellent spa) — book via Hotels.com.
• Labadi Beach Hotel (resort feel right on the sand, sunset cocktails, weekend drumming) — book via Hotels.com.

How to get to Accra: Fly into Kotoka International Airport (ACC). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or compare on Kiwi.com. Airport to Osu/Labone is ~20–40 minutes by Uber (traffic-dependent).

Day 1: Arrival, First Tastes of Accra

Morning: In transit. If you arrive early, stretch your legs with a flat white and coconut bun at Café Kwae (Airport City) or a pour-over at Jamestown Coffee Roasters (Osu).

Afternoon: Check into your hotel. Head to the refreshed Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park to trace the independence story; the museum showcases personal effects and archival footage. Walk to Black Star Square, then ride to Artists Alliance Gallery to browse contemporary Ghanaian art and Asafo flags.

Evening: Dinner in Osu at Buka for Ghanaian staples (order banku with tilapia and shito, plus palaver sauce). For something quick, try Chez Clarisse for Ivorian attiéké and braised fish. Cap the night with city views at Skybar 25 (Villaggio) or live guitars and horns at +233 Jazz Bar & Grill—a beloved venue for highlife and afro-fusion.

Day 2: Markets, Monuments, and Food in Accra

Morning: Fuel up at Petit Déli (fresh croissants, omelettes) or Vida e Caffè in Osu. Then set out on an expertly guided circuit that hits the essentials and saves time in traffic:

Accra Guided City Tour Experience

• Typically includes the W.E.B. Du Bois Center, Makola Market, Kwame Nkrumah Park, and the Arts Centre for crafts and kente. Guides help with bargaining and context.
• Expect 5–7 hours with hotel pickup; pricing varies by group size and inclusions.

Afternoon: Lunch at Asanka Local (Labone) for waakye platters, light soup, and fufu pounded to order. If you prefer seafood, book NsuomNam for grilled octopus, red snapper, and coconut rice—modern Ghanaian flavors in a sleek room.

Evening: Explore Oxford Street (Osu) for boutiques and beaded jewelry. Dinner at Kozo (Asian-fusion, lush garden setting; reserve ahead) or La Chaumière (old-school Accra institution for French classics). Nightcap at The Republic Bar & Grill—try their signature akpeteshie cocktails made with local spirits.

Day 3: Cape Coast, Elmina, and Kakum Rainforest (Full-Day Tour)

Leave Accra by 6:00–6:30 a.m. for a powerful day exploring the legacy of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and Ghana’s coastal ecology. It’s ~3–3.5 hours each way depending on traffic. This guided option efficiently links the sites and navigates queues:

The Cape Coast Day Tour Guided Experience

• Cape Coast Castle and Elmina Castle: UNESCO-listed forts that confront the human story of enslavement. The guided walk through dungeons and the Door of No Return is moving and essential.
• Kakum National Park: Stroll the canopy walkway suspended above rainforest treetops. Early afternoons are quieter; wear closed shoes.
• Lunch ideas: Baobab House (veg-friendly), Orange Beach Resort (seafood by the surf), or Oasis Beach (casual Ghanaian dishes).
• Expect 10–12 hours door-to-door. Bring water, sunhat, and modest attire for castle visits.

Back in Accra, reward yourself with a late dinner at Bistro 22 (Labone; comforting steaks, seafood, and Ghana-inspired starters) or a quick gelato at Pinocchio & La Piazza in Osu.

Day 4: Taste Ghana—Cooking Class, Last-Minute Shopping, Departure

Morning: Start with Ghana-grown beans at Jamestown Coffee Roasters and a light bite. Then join a hands-on culinary workshop to master staples you’ve been savoring all trip:

Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Lessons and Take Out Services.

• Choose dishes like jollof, kontomire stew, or kelewele; learn spice balances and techniques you can replicate at home. Typically 2.5–3.5 hours.

Afternoon: Quick stop for souvenirs: TK Bead Factory shop-style glass beads (vendors at the Arts Centre), Adinkra symbol cloth, or woven baskets. If you prefer a beachy goodbye, consider a day pass at Labadi Beach Hotel or a hosted beach hangout:

Accra Luxury Beachfront Experience

Transfer to the airport for your afternoon departure. Leave central Accra 3 hours before an international flight to buffer for traffic and security.

Practical Dining Guide (Accra)

• Breakfast/coffee: Café Kwae (seasonal pastries), Jamestown Coffee Roasters (single-origin Ghanaian beans), Petit Déli (croissants, quiche).
• Casual lunch: Asanka Local (traditional plates), Azmera (buffet of regional classics), Chez Clarisse (Ivorian, generous portions).
• Dinner: Buka (essential Ghanaian), NsuomNam (seafood-forward fine dining), Kozo (stylish Asian-fusion), La Chaumière (classic French).
• Nightlife: +233 Jazz Bar & Grill (live bands), The Republic Bar & Grill (local spirits, DJs), Skybar 25 (sunset skyline).

Getting Around

• Ride-hailing: Uber and Bolt are widely used; cashless works well.
• Private driver: If you want fixed pricing and a guide’s insights, book a car-and-driver by the day: Private Car Service

Useful extras: MTN and Vodafone kiosks sell affordable SIMs; voltage is 230V (Type D/G plugs). Dress light, carry water, and mind potholes when walking at night.

Alternative Nature Day (if you extend or swap)

If you’d rather trade the coast for waterfalls and gardens, consider this guided loop northeast of the city:

Boti Falls, Umbrella Rock, Aburi Gardens & Cocoa Farm Day Tour

• Aburi’s colonial-era botanical gardens, cool hill breezes, and a cocoa farm visit pair beautifully with a hike to twin cascades at Boti.

For flight planning and any extensions up north (Mole National Park), compare regional fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Booking Checklist

• Hotels: Kempinski Accra, Labadi Beach Hotel, or browse Hotels.com Accra and VRBO Accra.
• Tours: Accra City Tour, Cape Coast & Kakum Day Trip, Ghanaian Cooking Class, and optional Private Car Service.
• Flights: Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

In four days you’ll taste, hear, and feel Ghana—from Accra’s creative spark to the sobering corridors of Cape Coast Castle and the green hush of Kakum’s canopy. Come hungry, bring curiosity, and expect to leave with new music on your playlist and peppery shito in your suitcase.