Accra Fantasy Coffin Tour: Teshie Workshop & Gallery

Watch a master carpenter shape a fantasy coffin in Teshie, then walk through three floors of Ghanaian art and sculpture.

A private tour of Accra's fantasy coffin tradition, starting at the Center for National Culture craft market, then traveling to a working workshop in the coastal town of Teshie where a skilled craftsman explains the Ga art form. The tour ends at Artist Alliance Gallery, a three-floor space displaying museum-quality coffins alongside carvings, sculptures, and artefacts. Air-conditioned transport, a professional guide, and bottled water are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore art and fantasy coffins in Accra

• Visit Center for National Culture market
• Participate in traditional drumming lessons
• Shop for souvenirs and crafts
• Travel to Teshie coffin workshop
• Learn about fantasy coffin history and designs
• Visit Artist Alliance Gallery
• View and purchase art and coffins

The experience

Fantasy coffins are functional art: wooden boxes shaped like animals, vehicles, household objects, or food. Each one designed to honor the deceased by representing what mattered most in their life. A fisherman's coffin becomes a fish. A farmer's might be a cocoa pod. The Ga people of Ghana have perfected this craft over generations, and seeing one take shape in the workshop is the core of this tour. A skilled craftsman in Teshie walks you through the process and the symbolism behind the designs, explaining why a leopard coffin or an aeroplane coffin carries meaning beyond decoration.

The day starts at the Center for National Culture, the country's largest craft market, where you can browse stalls of souvenirs, textiles, and handmade goods at your own pace, and negotiate prices if you choose. From there, private transport takes you to Teshie, a coastal town about 30 minutes from central Accra, where the workshop sits. After the craftsman's explanation, you move to Artist Alliance Gallery nearby, a three-story space that functions as both gallery and museum. The coffins on display there are museum-quality pieces, and the gallery also holds sculptures, carvings, and artefacts across all three floors. You're free to browse and purchase items if anything speaks to you.

The tour wraps with a drop-off at a location of your choice in Accra. Your guide speaks English throughout, and the vehicle is air-conditioned with WiFi on board. The whole experience runs between two and four hours depending on how long you spend at each stop.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi.
• professional local guide speaking English.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• all fees and taxes.
• hotel or location pickup and drop-off at a place of your choice.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day15 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 15:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Youth (6 to 10 years) · Infant (3 to 5 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 49 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Kwame Tours

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English and explains the coffin tradition and the art at each stop, so you follow the full story without language barriers. Children from age 3 can join, and the tour is wheelchair accessible with accessible surfaces and transportation throughout.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 10 years); Infant (3 to 5 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What exactly is a fantasy coffin and why do Ghanaians make them?

Fantasy coffins are colorful wooden coffins crafted by specialized carpenters in the Greater Accra Region that serve both as functional caskets and as works of art. The Ga people believe that honoring the deceased properly (by creating a coffin shaped like something meaningful to them) ensures a joyful departure for the spirit and brings blessings to the family. A coffin might be shaped like a fish for a fisherman, a sewing machine for a sewist, a car, an aeroplane, a leopard, or even a cocoa pod, depending on what defined the person's life.

Can I actually watch someone make a fantasy coffin during the tour?

Yes. The tour includes a visit to a working workshop in Teshie where you meet a skilled craftsman who explains the process and the symbolism behind the designs. You'll see the work in progress and learn directly from someone who specializes in the craft.

What is the Artist Alliance Gallery like?

Artist Alliance Gallery is a three-floor space in Accra that displays museum-quality coffins alongside sculptures, carvings, and other artefacts. You can walk through all three floors at your own pace and purchase any items that interest you.

Is there time to shop for souvenirs or art on this tour?

Yes. The tour begins at the Center for National Culture, the country's largest craft market, where you can browse and buy from various stalls. Later, at Artist Alliance Gallery, you're welcome to purchase any of the pieces on display. Shopping time is built into the itinerary.

What's included in the price and what do I need to arrange separately?

Private transportation, bottled water, WiFi on board, all fees and taxes, and a professional local guide are included. Lunch is not included, so plan to eat before or after the tour, or bring snacks.