Accra City Tour: History, Markets & Independence Square

Walk through six centuries of Ghanaian independence and culture in a single afternoon

A guided city tour of Accra with a live English-speaking guide covering five major sites: Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, Independence Square, Makola Market, the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre and the National Museum, plus entry to all attractions and a drive through historic Jamestown. Hotel pickup is included, and the tour runs six hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Accra's culture and history

• Visit Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum
• Shop and explore Makola Market
• Tour Independence Square monuments
• Visit W. E. B. Du Bois Memorial Centre
• Explore National Cultural Center and shop
• Visit National Museum of Ghana
• Drive through historic Jamestown

The Experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel and heads to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park, where your guide walks you through the life and legacy of Ghana's independence leader and first President. From there, you move into Makola Market, one of Accra's largest trading hubs. Your guide takes you through the day-to-day rhythms of local vendors and the full shopping experience in a working market setting: the kind of place most visitors miss on their own.

Independence Square comes next, where the Independence Arch, Black Star Gate and Liberation Day Monument stand as records of Ghana's independence struggle. Your guide provides the history behind each monument. You then visit the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture, which traces the life of one of history's most influential Pan-Africanists, followed by the Center for National Culture, where you see Ghanaian paintings and crafts and learn how to bargain in a local setting. The National Museum of Ghana, established in 1957 and the country's largest, closes the cultural stops with artifacts and exhibits on Ghana's history and traditions.

The final leg takes you through Jamestown, Accra's oldest neighbourhood, where you pass the iconic red-and-white lighthouse and see the colourful streets, colonial architecture and fishing community that give the area its character. An air-conditioned vehicle carries you throughout, and WiFi is available on board. All entry fees, taxes and transport are covered. You bring only yourself and your interest in how Accra came to be.

What’s included

• Entry to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park, Makola Market, Independence Square, the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan-African Culture, the Center for National Culture and the National Museum of Ghana.
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour.
• WiFi on board.
• hotel pickup.
• live guide in English.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Expedition-Go Tours Ltd

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Accra without a car or arriving for the first time: pickup from your hotel means you skip the logistics of getting to each site, and a single guide takes you through the city's independence story and cultural landmarks in the right order, so the history builds as you move through the day.

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Top questions

What is the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and why does the tour start there?

The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park honours Ghana's independence leader and first President. The tour opens there because his legacy shaped modern Ghana, and your guide walks you through his life and vision for the nation before moving into the city's other historical sites.

What happens at Makola Market during the tour?

Makola Market is one of Accra's biggest trading hubs. Your guide takes you through the day-to-day activities of local vendors and gives you the full shopping experience in a working market setting, so you see how the city's business actually moves.

How long is the tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs six hours total. Your guide picks you up from your hotel, so the start time depends on where you're staying and what you arrange at checkout.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Entry to all five sites, transport and a guide are covered, but you'll want to plan a meal separately or bring something with you.

What is Independence Square and what will I see there?

Independence Square holds monuments to Ghana's independence struggle, including the Independence Arch, Black Star Gate and the Liberation Day Monument. Your guide explains the history and significance of each one.

Is there time to shop or browse at the sites?

Yes. At Makola Market and the Center for National Culture, your guide teaches you how to bargain and gives you time to shop in a local setting. The National Museum and other sites allow browsing time as well.