Accra is the gateway to West Africa and the continent’s hub for design, nightlife, and tech. Five days gives you enough time to move beyond the tourist highlights and experience the city’s actual pace. This 5 day Accra itinerary balances chaotic market energy with high-end dining and a necessary escape to the mountains.
Day 1: The Historical Core
Your first day focuses on the foundational sites of Ghanaian independence. Most of these locations are within a tight radius in the central business district.
Morning: Black Star Square and Independence Arch
Start at Black Star Square (Independence Square). It is one of the world’s largest city squares. Built to commemorate Ghana's 1957 independence from British rule, it serves as the site for national parades. Walk across the street to the Independence Arch. Keep your camera ready but ask permission before photographing security personnel or specific government buildings nearby.
Afternoon: Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
Head to the recently renovated Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. This is the final resting place of Ghana’s first president. The museum contains Nkrumah’s personal effects, including his famous metal casket. The architecture is striking, featuring Italian marble and fountains. It provides the essential political context you need to understand modern Ghana.
Evening: Dinner in Osu
Walk or ride to Oxford Street in Osu. This is the city’s commercial artery. For dinner, choose between local staples or upscale fusion. Visit Buka Restaurant for authentic West African dishes like jollof rice or grilled tilapia with banku. If you want a more fast-paced environment, the street food stalls along Oxford Street serve excellent spicy grilled meat (suya).
Day 2: Art, Markets, and Coastal Views
Day two is about the sensory overload of Accra’s markets and the burgeoning contemporary art scene.
Morning: Makola Market
Makola is not a tourist market; it is the engine of the city’s economy. It is loud, crowded, and efficient. You will find everything from imported textiles and fresh produce to traditional medicines. Wear comfortable shoes and keep your valuables secure. Hire a local guide if you want to navigate the labyrinth without getting lost.
Afternoon: James Town and Gallery Hopping
Move west to James Town, Accra’s oldest district. Visit the James Town Lighthouse for a view of the fishing harbor. Afterward, pivot to the city's modern side at Gallery 1957 inside the Kempinski Hotel. It is the premier space for contemporary African art. If you have time, stop by the Artists Alliance Gallery on the coast for three floors of traditional masks and paintings.
Evening: Skybar 25
Finish the day at Skybar 25 at the top of Alto Tower in the Airport City district. It offers the best 360-degree views of the Accra skyline. It is the perfect spot to see the city’s scale. Reservations are required.
Day 3: Shopping and Nightlife
By day three, you should be adjusted to the heat and the traffic. This day focuses on the lifestyle of Accra’s middle class and the legendary nightlife.
Morning: Center for National Culture
Commonly known as the Arts Center, this is the place to buy souvenirs. Expect heavy haggling. You can find kente cloth, wood carvings, and brass works. Walk to the back of the market to see the craftsmen actually carving the drums and stools.
Afternoon: Shop the Design District
Head to the Labone and Cantonments neighborhoods. These areas house the city's best independent boutiques. Visit Elle Lokko for curated African fashion and Christie Brown for high-end garments. For lunch, grab a coffee and a sandwich at Cafe Kwae or a healthy bowl at Vitamin Q.
Evening: Bloombar and Live Music
Start your night at Bloombar in Osu. It is an open-air bar that defines the "Returnee" and "Expat" social scene. Drink a "Blue Stallion" and soak in the high-energy playlist. If you prefer live music, check the schedule at +233 Jazz Bar & Grill. It is widely considered the best live music venue in West Africa.
Day 4: Off-the-Beaten-Path Accra
Most tourists skip these spots, but they offer a deeper look at the city’s subcultures and creative hubs.
Morning: Fantasy Coffin Workshops
Drive to the Teshie-Nungua area to visit the Kane Kwei Carpentry Workshop. This is where the world-famous "fantasy coffins" are made. These coffins are shaped like fish, cars, cameras, or cocoa pods, reflecting the profession or passion of the deceased. It is a unique look at Ghanaian funerary rites.
Afternoon: Jamestown Coffee Co and Street Art
Head back toward the center to Jamestown Coffee Co. in Binneh Lane. It’s a repurposed warehouse that serves as a cafe, roastery, and creative event space. Use the afternoon to find the Chale Wote street art murals scattered throughout the neighboring streets. These large-scale works are remnants of the annual arts festival and represent the city’s radical creative spirit.
Evening: Labadi Beach
Visit Labadi Beach on a weekday evening to avoid the massive Sunday crowds. You can ride horses along the tide or sit at a plastic table under an umbrella with a cold Club Beer. Watching the sunset here while listening to the drumming circles is an essential Accra experience.
Day 5: Aburi Mountains Escape
To complete your 5 day Accra itinerary, you need to leave the humidity of the coast for the cooler air of the Akuapem Hills.
Morning: Aburi Botanical Gardens
Located about 45 minutes to an hour north of Accra, Aburi is a hill station established by the British. The Botanical Gardens are lush and peaceful. Walk through the palm-lined alleys and see the "hollow tree"—a giant silk cotton tree you can actually stand inside. The temperature here is significantly lower than in the city.
Afternoon: Adom Falls or Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm
A short drive from the gardens is Adom Falls. It’s a manageable hike to a secluded waterfall where you can swim. Alternatively, visit the Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Farm. This is the first cocoa farm in Ghana, planted in 1879. You’ll learn how the pods are harvested and fermented, which is the backbone of Ghana’s biggest export.
Evening: Farewell Dinner at Santoku
Return to Accra for your final meal. Santoku is the city’s top-tier Japanese restaurant. It’s expensive by local standards but rivals international spots in London or New York. It represents the "New Accra"—global, sophisticated, and polished.
Where to stay for 5 days in Accra
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical to managing Accra's notorious traffic over a 5 day Accra itinerary.
- Osu: Stay here if you want to be in the middle of the action. You can walk to bars and restaurants. Look for boutique hotels like No. 1 Oxford Street or Airbnb apartments.
- Airport Residential: This is the most convenient area. It is safe, quiet, and close to the airport. It’s home to high-end hotels like The Marriott and ibis Styles.
- Cantonments/Labone: These are upscale residential zones with some of the best dining options. The Labadi Beach Hotel is the best choice if you want luxury with direct ocean access.
- East Legon: This is the trendy, "new money" part of town. It has great nightlife and malls, but it is further from the historical sites. Stay here if you prefer a modern, suburban feel.
Practical Tips for Your Trip
- Transport: Download the Bolt or Uber app. They are reliable and significantly cheaper than street taxis. For a local experience, try a "Tro Tro" (shared minibus), but only for short distances if you aren't familiar with the routes.
- Data: Buy a physical SIM card or eSIM from MTN. It is the most reliable network in Ghana. You will need your passport to register a SIM.
- Currency: While many high-end places take cards, cash (Ghana Cedis) is king in markets and smaller bars.
- Water: Do not drink tap water. Stick to bottled water (like Voltic) or "sachet water" which is filtered and sold in small plastic bags.