Cape Coast & Elmina, Ghana

The historic coast west of Accra: Cape Coast and Elmina castles, fishing towns and the Kakum rainforest canopy walk.

About Cape Coast & Elmina

Cape Coast and Elmina are about three hours west of Accra and hold some of the most important heritage sites in West Africa. The castles at Cape Coast and Elmina were centres of the transatlantic slave trade; guided tours through the dungeons and the "Door of No Return" are moving and essential. Balance the history with the coast itself: Elmina's busy fishing harbour, quiet beach resorts, and Kakum National Park, where a canopy walkway hangs high above the rainforest.

Travel tips

Allow a full day for Cape Coast, Elmina and Kakum together, or stay a night to see them without rushing. Around Emancipation Day (1 August) and during PANAFEST years, the area is busy with heritage events.

Map of Cape Coast & Elmina

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Things to see in Cape Coast & Elmina

Cape Coast Castle

Heritage site · About 2 hours

Elmina Castle (St. George's Castle)

Heritage site · About 2 hours

Kakum National Park

Nature & parks · Half a day

Anomabo Beach

Beach · Half a day

Assin Manso Slave River

Heritage site · About 1 to 2 hours

Fort Amsterdam (Abandze)

Heritage site · About 1 hour

Brenu Beach

Beach · Half a day

Festivals and events in Cape Coast & Elmina

All events in this region

Usually the first Saturday of May

Aboakyer Deer Hunting Festival

Winneba · Central Region

Two warrior groups race to catch a live antelope with their bare hands, in Winneba.

Usually the first Tuesday of July

Bakatue Festival

Elmina · Central Region

Elmina opens its fishing season with a regatta of canoes on the Benya lagoon.

July to August, usually every two years

PANAFEST

Cape Coast · Central Region

The Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival, bringing together Africa and its diaspora.

1 August every year

Emancipation Day

Assin Manso and Cape Coast · Central Region

Remembering the end of slavery, with ceremonies at Assin Manso and the castles.

Usually the first Saturday of September

Fetu Afahye

Cape Coast · Central Region

Cape Coast's colourful festival, with a grand procession of chiefs and Asafo companies.

Tours in and around Cape Coast & Elmina

All tours here

Cape Coast, Elmina & Kakum Day Trip

Full day · about 12 hours · History · Nature

From $120 per person

Where to stay in Cape Coast & Elmina

All stays here