Ghana has a number of phenomenal natural attractions and historical tourist sites which can be found within its 16 unique and beautiful regions. However, like many people who live in a country where you have so much on your doorstep it is very easy to miss things and take for granted some of these key tourist sites when they are in plain sight.
If you are already in Ghana or planning a visit and are looking for Ghana tourist sites to see, experience and visit. We have compiled a list of what we think are probably the 20 most popular tourist sites by number of visits, reviews and recommendations in Ghana today. We are lifting the veil so that they are no longer in plain sight and missed.
Are the popular tourist sites in Ghana near each other?
The most popular tourist sites in Ghana can be found across the country with each of the 16 regions of Ghana housing at least 1 or two must see attractions. However, within the Greater Accra there are there are 6 popular attractions that are close together. They are the must see Independence Square which houses, Independence Arch, the famous Black Star Gate and the Liberation Day Monument. Then there is Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum recently renovated in 2023. Fort James and Ussher Fort which gives you a taste of colonial history. Jubilee House, of Flagg Staff House. The home of president of Ghana. And finally Bojo beach which offers a serene place to just chill and enjoy clear sandy beach in the heart of Accra.
How many tourist sites are there in Ghana?
It is estimated that there are over 42 official tourist sites in Ghana. However, there are over 100 sites and places to see in Ghana. Tourism in Ghana has been a on a growing trend pre COVID. In 2019 there were over 1.1million tourist arrivals into Ghana (source Statista). During the 2 years of COVID the annual influx of tourist into Ghana feel to under 500k. However, this with over 100 tourist sites and the establishment of new hotels and resorts like Safari Valley tourism in Ghana is on the upward trend and is expected to reach over 2 million visitors by 2027
Did you know that Ghana has 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites?
A World Heritage site is a place, judged to contain “cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity”
The two UNESCO site’s in Ghana are Asante traditional buildings of the Ashanti Empire and the other the Forts and Castle built on the coasts of Ghana by Europeans who traded many things including Gold and people/prisoners of the Ashanti Kingdom and other tribes.
22 of the most popular attractions and tourist sites in Ghana
The Kakum National Park is a semi-deciduous rain forest which occupies 234 square miles of fresh green rain forest which is a welcome alternative to all the red dust and…
Wli Agumatsa Waterfalls has the title of being the highest waterfall in West Africa and is made of two main waterfalls: the upper falls and the lower falls. The upper…
The Bia National Park covers a total area of 305.62km² and is located in the Western Region of Ghana and it is the only the Biosphere Reserve in the country.…
The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and memorial park is located in downtown Accra. The park was built to honour Kwame Nkrumah (1909 – 27 April 1972) who led Ghana to independence…
Osu Castle, also known as Christiansborg Castle, or “The Castle is a historic building located in Osu, a neighborhood in Accra, Ghana. The castle has served as the residence of…
Fort San Sebastian in Ghana changed hands several times during its history, with different colonial powers occupying it at different times. However, it’s difficult to say which group occupied it…
Umbrella Rock is a natural rock formation which has to be seen to be believed. From pictures its hard to see how this natural rock formation is able to stand…
Cape Coast Castle is one of about forty slave castles or large commercial forts built on the Gold Coast of West Africa (now Ghana) by European traders. It was originally…
The Asante Kingdom was one of the richest and most powerful states on the African continent. Today, one of the few vestiges of this once flourishing kingdom are ten traditional…
This is a place that everyone needs to get their picture taken when in Accra. If you are traveling down from Waa for a few days of flying in from…
Golden Jubilee House, or Jubilee House, is the presidential palace in Accra that serves as a residence and office to the President of Ghana. This as am impressive and building…
The Akosombo Dam, also known as the Volta Dam, is a hydroelectric dam on the Volta River in southeastern Ghana in the Akosombo gorge and part of the Volta River…
The viewGhana team like to call these falls the step falls as they look like some giants steps being washed with water. The Kintampo falls is said to be the…
If you ever wondered what happens to an impact crater when it fills with water then Lake Bosomtwe is a clear example. This is apparently the only natural lake in…
The Ussher Fort is a fort in Accra, Ghana. It was built by the Dutch in 1649 as Fort Crèvecœur, and was a day’s march from Elmina and to the…
The Larabanga Mosque is shrouded in many stories and legends. As the legend goes, Ayuba, a Moorish trader, who was traveling across the Sahara in 1421 spent the night in…
Elmina Castle was erected by the Portuguese in 1482 as Castelo de Sao Jorge da Mina (St. George of the Mine Castle), also known as Castelo da Mina or simply…
If you want to experience the savannah of Ghana with safari with all its wildlife with wild elephants then Mole National Park is Ghana’s largest wildlife refuge. The park is…
Aburi Botanical Gardens is a botanical garden in Aburi in Eastern region of South Ghana which was built in 1890. But was conceived back in 1842. Aburi is located on…
This colonial-era lighthouse was built in the 1930s replacing an earlier lighthouse that had been built in 1871. It has become a tourist attraction over time however there is no…
Boti falls is a twin waterfall located at Boti in Manya Krobo in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The falls are located just 17km North-east of Koforidua, the eastern regional…
Bojo beach is probably one of those hidden oasis in Accra. Bojo Beach is so clean and chilled out that you would never guess it was such a short drive…
Ghana is not short of colonial history and historical sights from this period. There are also a number of museums art galleries rainforest and nature reserves which all form the backdrop of many of its main tourist sites and attractions that you can find in Ghana. To find more tourist sites and things to see and do in Ghana follow the link below.
Author: The editor
Working with off site teams to create content and providing insights on all things Ghana related. Always keen to hear from people traveling to Ghana or living in Ghana. As there is so much to see and do and write about