Cape Coast and Elmina Walking Tour: Elmina Castle History
Elmina Castle dates to 1484, making it the oldest building below the Sahara in sub-Saharan Africa.
A walking tour of Cape Coast and Elmina explores Ghana's oldest colonial town, visiting Elmina Castle (built 1484), the 17th century Dutch Cemetery, and stone-age colonial houses while meeting local residents. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, bottled water, snacks and lunch at a restaurant overlooking the lagoon and castle. Children from age 5 are welcome.
2h 30m
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Cape Coast and Elmina historical sites
- Visit Elmina Castle
- See 17th century Dutch Cemetery
- Walk past colonial stone houses
- Visit local homes and interact
- Have lunch at top view restaurant
- Visit township and markets
The Experience
The tour centers on Elmina Castle, the oldest building in existence below the Sahara, constructed by the Portuguese in 1484. You'll walk past the 17th century Dutch Cemetery and the historical and colonial stone-age houses that line the town, stopping to visit homes and interact with local people along the way. Lunch happens at a top-view restaurant where you can sit overlooking both the lagoon and the castle itself.
A live guide leads the walk in English, and the tour includes pickup from your hotel. The pace is manageable for all fitness levels, and the route takes in the township and markets as well as the castle grounds. Bottled water and snacks sustain you between stops, and the meal at the end gives you a chance to sit and take in the view.
What’s included
- Pickup from your hotel.
- a live guide speaking English.
- bottled water and snacks.
- lunch at a restaurant overlooking the lagoon and castle.
Operated by Freelancenana Travel And Tours
Is this one for you?At two and a half hours, this tour fits easily into a morning or afternoon and leaves the rest of your day free to explore Cape Coast on your own or visit other sites in the region.
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Top questions
What is Elmina Castle and why does it matter historically?
Elmina Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1484, is the oldest building in existence below the Sahara in sub-Saharan Africa. It stands as a landmark of the region's colonial past and is the centerpiece of the walking tour.
Do I need to arrange my own transport to the tour, or is pickup included?
Pickup from your hotel is included in the tour, so you don't need to arrange separate transport to the starting point.
What will I eat during the tour, and where?
Lunch is included at a top-view restaurant overlooking the lagoon and castle. Bottled water and snacks are also provided throughout the walk.
Can I bring my young children on this walking tour?
Children are welcome from age 5 and up. Infants under 5 can join if they sit on an adult's lap during the tour.
How much time does this tour take, and what else could I do that day?
The tour runs for two and a half hours, leaving you time to explore other parts of Cape Coast or Elmina before or after, or to rest at your hotel.
Cape Coast and Elmina Walking Tour: Elmina Castle History
2h 30m · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 90 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.899 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider