Ghana is a wonderful country to visit for a variety of reasons, including its vibrant cultural celebrations, beautiful landscapes, historic forts and castles, vibrant arts scene, exciting nightlife, an annual festival dedicated to paragliding, among other things. Continue reading to view our list of the top ten experiences in Ghana that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Visit the Cape Coast Castle 

Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest slave trade edifice. Like most Ghanaian castles, it was important in the gold and slave trades. Take a tour of Cape Coast Castle to learn everything about its fascinating history and architecture, from Dalzel Tower to the slave prisons to the cannons and mortars used for defense. Cape Coast Castle houses the West African History Museum, which features an ever-expanding collection of art and cultural artefacts, such as ceremonial drums, old muskets, chains from the slave trade, and ancient pottery.

Opening hours: It is open to the public from 9:00am to 4:30pm daily. 

Take a trip to Elmina Castle

The earliest European structure in sub-Saharan Africa was Elmina Castle, the first trade post on the Gulf of Guinea. Near Cape Coast, Ghana’s fishing village Elmina is absolutely scenic and a great spot to visit. Ghana’s St. George’s Castle, one of Ghana’s most popular attractions is located there. 

Opening hours: It is open to the public from 9:00am to 4:30pm daily. 

Go to Sirigu Pottery & Art

Sirigu is a remarkable place to visit. We highly recommend this village because it shows the amazing things that the women are doing to keep their art and culture alive. The architecture and wall murals in this village are stunning, and they also produce exquisite ceramics and baskets.

Experience the Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival

This event happens during Easter (usually April) every year. During the three to four-day event at Kwahu Atibie, hundreds of passengers will be flown by experienced pilots from all over the world. Aside from paragliding, there are hikes, tours, and other adventure options for a memorable experience.  

See the Kwame Nkrumah National Park

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum, dedicated to Ghana’s first President and a prominent Africanist is located in downtown Accra, Ghana. In the Mausoleum, his body rests there. Rare artifacts from Ghana’s fight for independence can be found at the museum, and guided tours of the park cover the entire history of independence movements in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Independence Square

A trip to Ghana is not complete without a visit to Independence Square, one of the largest city squares in the world. The Independence Square houses the Independence Arch, one of the several monuments that honors the country’s fight for independence. There are also three monuments in the square that represent the struggle for freedom and independence. A total of 30,000 spectators can be seated in Independence Square’s massive stands. 

Wli Waterfalls (also called Agumatsa Falls)

This popular tourist attraction is the highest waterfall in West Africa. Located near the Wli village, close to the Togo border, most tourists can trek the largely level trail to the lower falls, which is gorgeous and dramatic because of the millions of fruit bats nesting on the neighboring cliffs. For those with the stamina, the higher falls are a particular pleasure. Both falls include pools where brave swimmers can cool down.

Manhyia Palace Museum

The Asante Kingdom created a unique museum in West Africa to honor its kings and share their history and culture. The museum is tiny but packed with history, making a visit worthwhile.

Eat authentic local dishes

If you are a foodie, Ghana has delicious local cuisines you can try. Even if you are not a foodie, you should try some of the national dishes like Jollof rice, Kenkey & fried fish, Waakye, Banku & tilapia, and many more. 

Night Life

Ghana’s nightlife is exciting, and if you visit in December, you’ll certainly experience nightlife and bar hop throughout the night. Experience great music, drinks, and food. There are nightclubs and bars with live music, so everyone can have a good time. To really enjoy the nightlife culture in Ghana, here are some places you should try: Bloombar, Plot 7 Night Club, Twist Club &Lounge, Garage, Luna & Ace, Sky Bar, Sandbox, and The Bar.

 

To sum up, Ghana is a wonderful destination. These are just a handful of the many things to do and see in Ghana, there is so much more of the country’s natural and cultural splendor waiting to be discovered. If you want to fully appreciate the country’s charm, you should definitely add these destinations to your travel itinerary.