Accra's Beaches and Ghanaian Cuisine: The Foodie Traveller's Guide
Labadi Beach, Accra's Star Beach
Labadi Beach — officially La Pleasure Beach — is undoubtedly Accra's most popular beach. Located just fifteen minutes from Kotoka International Airport, it attracts both locals and tourists, especially at weekends. The atmosphere is festive and infectious: bands play live highlife music, vendors offer freshly cut coconuts and grilled fish, while dancers improvise on the sand. The beach parties organised on Saturday evenings are legendary and offer an authentic glimpse of Ghanaian joie de vivre. Sun loungers and parasols are available for hire for those who simply prefer to relax facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Kokrobite, the Bohemian Alternative
About thirty kilometres west of Accra, Kokrobite Beach appeals to travellers seeking authenticity and tranquillity. This fishing village has retained its natural charm despite growing tourist numbers. Big Milly's Academy of African Music and Dance, situated on the beachfront, offers djembe classes, traditional dance lessons and regular concerts that attract an international community of artists and travellers. The sunset over Kokrobite, with fishing pirogues silhouetted against the horizon, is one of Ghana's most photographed natural spectacles.
Geese Park, Accra's New Green Lung
Inaugurated in January 2025, the Accra Leisure and Recreational Park — nicknamed Geese Park — is the capital's latest attraction. Developed jointly by the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, this green space offers visitors and residents a place for walking, picnicking and outdoor activities just steps from the city centre. With its shaded pathways, children's play areas and relaxation zones, Geese Park fills a long-felt gap in a rapidly expanding metropolis. It is the perfect spot for a refreshing break between sightseeing visits.
The Essential Flavours of Ghanaian Cuisine
Ghanaian cuisine is an explosion of flavours that alone makes the trip worthwhile. Jollof rice, the national dish prepared with rice, tomatoes and spices, is the subject of a friendly rivalry with Nigeria over the best recipe. Banku, a fermented paste of maize and cassava served with okra soup or grilled tilapia, is a classic found in every 'chop bar' — the country's popular small restaurants. Don't miss waakye either, a mix of rice and black-eyed beans served with shito, a spicy dried shrimp sauce that accompanies almost every Ghanaian dish. For an immersive culinary experience, cooking classes offered by several hotels and associations in Accra teach you how to prepare these iconic dishes.
Where to Eat in Accra: From Chop Bars to Fine Dining
Accra's food scene spans the full range, from modest neighbourhood chop bars to the most refined fine-dining restaurants. The Osu district, nicknamed 'Oxford Street', is packed with restaurants offering both local and international cuisine. For an authentic and affordable experience, head to Makola Market where vendors prepare crispy kelewele and steaming kenkey on the spot. Seafood lovers will find their paradise in the beachfront restaurants of Labadi and Teshie, where whole fish is grilled over charcoal embers and served with banku and a spicy sauce. From Kotoka Airport, all these districts are accessible in less than thirty minutes, making Accra an ideal destination for gourmet stopovers.