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Accra — travel, stays & events guide
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Accra city overview
Accra is a city in Ghana shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Airport baseAccra Kotoka (ACC)
Known forAccra, Capital city in Ghana, Accra planning base 3, Accra planning base 4
RegionGhanaGhana
Time zoneAfrica/Accralocal time
Founded1576historical origin
City history
An early Portuguese fort was destroyed by the local inhabitants in 1576; trade afterwards was conducted on the beaches.
In 1873, after decades of tension between the British and Ashantis, the British captured Kumasi, destroying portions of the city.
The British then captured Accra in 1874, and in 1877, at the end of the second Anglo-Asante War, Accra replaced Cape Coast as the capital of the British Gold Coast.
As the newly established Gold Coast's administrative functions were moved to Accra (1877), an influx of British colonial administrators and European settlers grew around the Christiansborg (modern Osu, Ministries, Ridge, Labone, and Cantonments) began.
In 1918, the Grand Orange Lodge of Ghana was established in Accra to oversee and govern the local Ghanaian Orange Lodges.
For example, the segregation of European and African neighbourhoods was mandated by law until 1923, and all new buildings were required to be built out of stone or concrete.
In 1948, Ghana remained a colony of Great Britain following World War II.
However, the British Gold Coast ended before the Fry/Treavallion plan was enacted. Nkrumah Plan After Kwame Nkrumah became Ghana's first Prime Minister in 1957, he created his own plan for Accra's development.
By the late 15th century, the kingdom of Accra ruled the area from the capital at Ayawaso.
The Dutch later built the nearby Fort Crèvecœur while the British and the Swedes built James Fort and Christiansborg castles, respectively, in the mid-17th century.
Ofori and his people survived for a few years, until the Akwamu fomented a rebellion amongst the Danish garrison, and the fort was turned over to the Portuguese.
Until this time, the settlement of Accra was confined between Ussher Fort to the east and the Korle Lagoon to the west.
Before reaching the castle, the veterans were fired upon, after being ordered by the colonial police chief to disperse.
The city is also a transportation hub, home to Accra International Airport, and railway links to Tema, Sekondi-Takoradi and Kumasi.
Worth seeing
Accra
Accra is a practical Accra planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city in Ghana
Capital city in Ghana is a practical Accra planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Accra planning base 3
Accra planning base 3 is a practical Accra planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Accra planning base 4
Accra planning base 4 is a practical Accra planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Accra planning base 5
Accra planning base 5 is a practical Accra planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Accra planning base 6
Accra planning base 6 is a practical Accra planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Accra before booking Accra hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Accra by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Accra, GhanaFlights & airports
Accra Kotoka (ACC) arrival plan
- Accra Kotoka (ACC)Accra Kotoka (ACC), Accra
Compare airport access against hotel location, arrival time, rental car pickup, late flights and onward driving before choosing the first night base.
Rental cars
Accra day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Accra events in the shared event index yet.