Districts · Accra
Accra by district
A first visit covers a coastal strip of about 8 km: Jamestown and Ussher Town (the old Ga town) in the west, Independence Square and the government quarter in the middle, and Osu with its Oxford Street a little further east. Makola market sits just inland from the old town. Everything beyond that strip — East Legon, Airport Residential, Labadi, Teshie — is a ride.A first visit covers a coastal strip of about 5 mi: Jamestown and Ussher Town (the old Ga town) in the west, Independence Square and the government quarter in the middle, and Osu with its Oxford Street a little further east. Makola market sits just inland from the old town. Everything beyond that strip — East Legon, Airport Residential, Labadi, Teshie — is a ride.
About these names
- Jamestown / Ussher TownseeSuits: History and photography, a morning outThe old Ga fishing town: Fort James lighthouse, Ussher Fort, colourful fishing canoes. Narrow lanes, broken pavement, and a strong sense of place — go with a local guide for context.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Independence Square / RidgeseesleepSuits: History, government-quarter hotelsBlack Star Square, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and the ministries; wide, exposed and hot at midday with little shade.2 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- MakolaseeSuits: Market tripsWest Africa's largest and most chaotic market district; go with bags left at the hotel and cash in a front pocket.1 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Osu / Oxford StreetsleepeatSuits: First visit, restaurants and nightlifeAccra's main tourist strip: restaurants, bars, shops and hotels along Oxford Street; the easiest base for a first visit.2 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Labadi / LaseeSuits: A beach afternoonLabadi Beach is the closest easy beach to the centre; lively on weekends, watch belongings closely.District guide →
- East Legon / Airport ResidentialsleepSuits: Longer stays, quieter base, business travellersNewer, leafier residential areas with malls and international restaurants; every outing is a ride to the coastal sights.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Kotoka International Airport (ACC) (30–75 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Labadi / La, East Legon / Airport Residential. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Jamestown / Ussher Town: The old Ga fishing town: Fort James lighthouse, Ussher Fort, colourful fishing canoes. Narrow lanes, broken pavement, and a strong sense of place — go with a local guide for context. Suits: History and photography, a morning out.
- Independence Square / Ridge: Black Star Square, Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and the ministries; wide, exposed and hot at midday with little shade. Suits: History, government-quarter hotels. Price band $$.
- Makola: West Africa's largest and most chaotic market district; go with bags left at the hotel and cash in a front pocket. Suits: Market trips.
- Osu / Oxford Street: Accra's main tourist strip: restaurants, bars, shops and hotels along Oxford Street; the easiest base for a first visit. Suits: First visit, restaurants and nightlife. Price band $$.
- Labadi / La: Labadi Beach is the closest easy beach to the centre; lively on weekends, watch belongings closely. Suits: A beach afternoon.
- East Legon / Airport Residential: Newer, leafier residential areas with malls and international restaurants; every outing is a ride to the coastal sights. Suits: Longer stays, quieter base, business travellers.
- Sleep area Osu and Oxford Street: suits First visit, restaurants and nightlife, price band $$.
- Sleep area Ridge and Independence Avenue: suits History, government-quarter hotels, price band $$.
- Kotoka International Airport (ACC), 30–75 min by the usual route.