Culture & customs | Greater Accra & the coast | Central & Northern Ghana
Ghana
W idely known as one of the most vibrant, welcoming and intriguing destinations in West Africa, Ghana has long held appeal for those interested in heritage tourism or simply experiencing the powerful history, culture and beauty of the country. This year, visiting the first African country to gain independence from colonial rule has become easier than ever. Daily flights out of Atlanta start in December 2025, joining existing daily flight service from New York’s JFK. So if you’re ready for a vacation steeped in cultural enrichment—adding in tropical beaches, UNESCO World Heritage sites, exuberant festivals and impressive culinary traditions—2026 is a great year to go.
Once you've cleared the straighforward online visa application and hit up your doctor's office for the required Yellow Fever vaccine, it's time to get acquainted with Ghanaian culture in preparation for your trip. While the country is home to over 70 ethnic groups and as many native languages, English is the primary one, with Twi—the language of the Akan people—coming in second. Whether you do so with an exuberant "hello" or the Twi "Wo ho te sεn?"(which translates more closely to "How are you?"), enthusiastic greetings are expected. Everything from eating to handshakes is done with the right hand, as using the left is considered rude (sorry southpaws).
Ghana's position just north of the equator means you can expect balmy weather in the rainy season (at its peak in June and July) or the dry season (October to March). In the dry season, though, Saharan winds called Harmattan can bring temperature fluctuations; it may be 48 degrees at night and 95 by day. Consider this while packing—and also that dress is relatively conservative in Ghana, especially outside the main metropolis, Accra.
Journey to Accra and beyond
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Makola Market
Culture and customs
Greater Accra and the coast
Central and Northern Ghana
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
Jamestown Lighthouse
Plan your trip
Surfing on Ghana's western coast
Baboon
Jollof rice
Homowo Harvest Festival
Traditional Ghanaian cuisine
Cape Coast
Larabanga Mosque
Once you've gotten your bearings, it's time to dive into the sensory pleasures that make Ghana so special. Food is one of them. Some dishes are traditionally eaten sans utensils—specifically with the right hand—after a thorough and often communal handwashing. Fermented corn-based banku and kenkey, plus cassava-based fufu are used by the diner to scoop up aromatic and often spicy sauces and stews, plus chunks of meat or fish to create the ideal, immersive bite.
Refuel with these tasty dishes between drum and dance sessions at one of Ghana's famous festivals. The dry season is an exceptional time for heritage tourism, with more than one hundred cultural and traditional events kicking off in December alone. Afrofuture (Dec. 28-29), formerly known as Afrochella, for example, is a celebration of African music, fashion and art that draws travelers from around the world. If you're not attending an event, seek out live entertainment venues to experience Ghana's unique music scene, which includes Hiplife music—a fusion of West African Highlife music (with roots stretching back to colonial times) and Western hip hop.
Best Bet 2026
Ghana was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2026. Only ten worldwide destinations were selected for this honor, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.
Best Bet 2026
Best Bet 2025
Best Bet 2026
Ghana was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2026. Only ten worldwide destinations were selected for this honor, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.
Kakum National Park
Greater Accra
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
Once you touch down in Accra, the country's capital on the southeastern coast, you'll discover a city that thrums with energy. A visit to Makola Market will put you right in the heart of it. The stalls and vendors go on and on. Color is everywhere, from the clothing and crafts to the fresh and packaged foods on offer. Patrons balance impossibly large bundles atop their heads with apparent ease while emphatic street preachers sermonize.
A visit to the nearby National Museum of Ghana will shed light on the nation's history, as will a stroll through Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, dedicated to the memory of Ghana's first president. Next, visit the Osu neighborhood's Black Star Square, commissioned by Nkrumah to commemorate the nation's gaining independence in 1957, and explore nearby cafes, clubs and clothing boutiques showcasing the work of African designers. View striking murals and the historic lighthouse in Jamestown, a fishing community where the day's fresh catch is served steaming hot by chefs on the street. Watch an open-air match in a town teeming with boxing gyms. Plan extra time between stops due to traffic.
Balance out your city break by taking time to explore the coastal and natural areas surrounding Accra. Of Greater Accra's numerous beaches, Labadi Beach is the most popular, located just a few miles east of the city center. Between lounge sessions, dig into local specialties like charcoal-grilled tilapia, caught in nearby Lake Volta—Africa's largest man-made lake—and sold at plentiful beach carts. Wash it down with a shot of akpeteshi, a potent, locally brewed spirit. You can also take a beachside horseback ride for the equivalent of a few dollars. Sunset brings a host of local performers to the sand.
The Aburi Mountains, just 20 miles outside the city, are home to a beloved botanical garden, hiking trails and waterfalls. Shai Hills Nature Preserve is also a short drive from Accra. While there, you may spot baboons, zebras and antelope in their natural habitat. West of Accra, Elmina Castle and Cape Coast Castle are somber yet vital UNESCO World Heritage Sites that should be part of any Ghana trip. Tens of thousands of enslaved Africans were held in these forts before their forced migration to the Americas.
Venture outside Accra to experience more of Ghana's stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Kente cloth is a colorful, geometrically patterned fabric that's so entwined with Ghana's heritage, the country was recently granted the same sort of global protection for it as France has for Champagne. If you'd like to bring home your own authentic garment, consider a visit to Adanwomase, the royal Kente weaving village for the Asante king. There, you can not only purchase the iconic fabric, but also watch it take form on the looms of skilled artisans.
Also in the Central region is Kakum National Park, where adventurous types can walk across seven suspension bridges slung nearly 100 feet above the rainforest floor. Wildlife like African forest elephants, leopards, monkeys and hundreds of bird species live in the park; a guided tour may help you spot them, along with native plants and insects. Visit November through March for good weather (milder temps and less rain) and the best chance of spotting wildlife gathering around water sources.
In the Northern region, Mole National Park offers more opportunities to immerse in nature. Just south of the park, Larabanga Mosque is well worth a visit, though only Muslims are permitted to enter. The picturesque structure is still a functioning place of worship for the local community, and is the oldest of only six ancient mud mosques remaining in Ghana. Steps from the mosque, the Mystic Stone is another icon of Ghanaian heritage and culture. Legends surrounding the stone include that it was placed by Muhammad himself, and it's thought to possess spiritual, healing and protective powers. Northern Ghana also holds dramatic and authentic festivals celebrating the region's heritage. For example, the Bugum Chugu Fire Festival (2026 dates pending)—a multi-day celebration held by the Dagomba people—incorporates drum music, dance and fiery torches in ceremonies that unite the community and symbolize spiritual purification, protection and the continuous cycle of life.
in collaboration with:
Warthogs
Kente cloth
Lake Bosumtwe
African forest elephants
Elmina Castle
Beach yoga
Shai Hills
Kente cloth
Culture & customs | Greater Accra & the coast | Central & Northern Ghana
Culture & customs | Greater Accra & the coast | Central & Northern Ghana