10 Fun Activities to Do in Accra this December

From club hopping to horse riding to good food and beautiful culture, this is Accra

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Written by Menenaba

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Be ready to embark on an unforgettable fun activities and alluring journey through Accra if you are a first-time tourist looking to escape the hassle and bustle of life or a returning visitor who knows the city. Accra offers a bevy of fun activities for the adventurous traveler, the tourist looking for escapism, and the global citizen looking to blend with people and build meaningful connections

Whatever your reason for visiting Ghana’s capital, We have put together the perfect fun activities that should be on your bucket list. This article promises to be your curated guide to the very essence of Accra, capturing the city’s spirit.

Here are 10 things to do in Accra.

1. Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and other museums

If you have not been to the memorial park dedicated to the first president of Ghana, this is your sign to do so. A tour of the park shows orderly seating, food stalls, and a museum showcasing memorabilia like Nkrumah’s walking stick, official car, favorite suit, suitcase, etc. The trip to the park is incomplete unless you also tour the final resting place of the renowned African-American scholar and activist, W.E.B. Du Bois, and the captivating Independence Arch and Black Star Square. Together, these iconic landmarks symbolize the road to Ghana’s independence and our current strive for total freedom and justice.

2. Set Up a Picnic at the Legon Botanical Garden

Perhaps you have not thought about how the city of Accra has been developed without trees. This thought will come to you when you pack a picnic box to the stunning Legon Botanical Gardens. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city as you stroll through the lush gardens, attempting a canoe ride, canopy walk, and obstacle course on a serene and romantic day outdoors. We all deserve to romanticize our lives sometimes. 

3. Attend a Cultural Event at the National Theatre

This is for those who were in the drama club in high school but did not pursue it afterward. Enjoy a performance, concert, or cultural event at Accra’s renowned National Theatre, showcasing Ghana’s artistic talent. The shows are affordable and often run multiple times a weekend. Other locations like Alliance Française, Efua Theodora Sutherland Drama Studio at the School of Performing Arts of the University of Ghana, and the Goethe Institute also hold cultural events from time to time. 

4. Relax at the Beach

Want an easy breezy day? Unwind by the shores of the Gulf of Guinea, enjoying the sandy shores, the vitamin-filled sun, and the local beachside amenities like the kebab, horses, beer, and artisans trying to sell a painting. If you are feeling a little fancy, you can go to a resort and order overpriced cocktails for a change. You couldn’t ask for a more relaxed day than a beach day. Whatever you choose, know that the beach is better.   

5. Dine on local cuisine

This is a familiar activity. You cannot have a good time in Accra without food. Savor the diverse flavors of Ghanaian cuisine at popular spots in a cozy ambiance. Since you are in Accra, then Kenkey, Tuo Zaafi, Waakye, Fufu, Red Red, and Fried Rice (basically Papaye) are your best bets. Look out for affordable places by scanning the stalls tucked away from the main Oxford Street, Boundary Road, American House, and other notably expensive places. Take it from me; the more local the setting, the more exquisite the taste.

6. Go Shopping

No, I am not sending you off to Makola. There are other ways to experience Accra’s middle-class market culture, encountering everything from farmers’, artisan, and flea markets. There are regular markets, holiday markets, and one-off pop-up markets to hang out and shop with friends. Here is a schedule for you; 

Every first and third Saturday of the month – Green Butterfly Market, Department of Parks and Gardens.

Every Second Saturday of the month – Dzorwulu Flea Market, Terra Alta, Abelemkpe Bus Stop and Caramel Corner Market, W.E.B. Dubois Center.

Last Saturday of the month – CO.OP Market, Goethe Institute

Every Holiday – Accra Goods Market 

7. Discover Art

Embark on a gallery-hopping date and immerse in the contemporary Ghanaian art and culture scene. With Ghana slowly becoming the hub for West African art, galleries, and art spaces are creeping up on every corner of popular and sometimes not-so-popular streets. Experience the continent’s biggest photography library, Dikan Center, Nubuke Foundation’s upcoming artists, Gallery 1957’s international artists, dot ateliers by Amoako Boafo, La Gallery Accra, and so many more.

8. Wander through Jamestown

Experience the vibrant street art and boxing, historical architecture, and lively atmosphere of Accra’s oldest district. The beauty of Jamestown is in its simplistic setting, hospitable people, and ever-present kenkey and fried fish. You can enjoy panoramic views of the city and ocean by climbing to the top of the Jamestown Lighthouse. From there, head to Ussher Town, a five-minute walk away, to explore the Ussher Fort and its chaotic beach for a first-hand experience of a real-life fishing community. You can buy some fresh or smoked fish for your soups and stew while you observe.

9. Horseback Riding at Accra Polo Club

Enjoy a leisurely horseback ride at the Accra Polo Club, surrounded by greenery and fresh air. There are highly-rated restaurants on the premises as well.

10. Embark on a bar-hopping adventure

You were eventually going to do this anyway. As the sun sets, crafted cocktails, chic ambiance, a charming audience, and lively DJ sets become the soundtrack of an unforgettable night. For a taste of local flavor, head to Republic Bar & Grill in Osu. There are eclectic lounges offering a diverse range of experiences – cigar, jazz, rooftop, beachfront, poolside, and exclusive upscale lounges. Of course, you have to pick a nightclub to conclude your exciting night out. Cheers to an unforgettable evening!

As the city continues to evolve, its ten best offerings remain an open invitation for exploration, ensuring that there is enough to keep everyone engaged and entertained. Whether savoring local delicacies, discovering artistic expressions, or dancing under the stars, Accra promises an experience that transcends the ordinary.

About the Writer

Born at the intersection where a rainforest and a rain shadow convenes; Menenaba dispels stories through the gaze of a cultured faux socialite.