Cruises in Accra

Accra is a popular port of call for cruise lines traveling along the African coast and has a lot to offer visitors in their short stay. The city is steeped in culture and history dating back thousands of years, but is perhaps most well known for its role in the gold rush over 500 years ago that helped coin its present day name - the Gold Coast.

The port for Accra cruises is called Tema and is situated in southeastern Ghana. With close access to the country's capital of Ghana, this stop yields many opportunities for taking in some of the storied history and sights of Ghana's most populous city. Cruise season here is September through March and remains underdeveloped compared to many other popular ports of call in the region.

In Accra, cruise-goers can typically choose between a number of day trips to various sights around the city. Popular attractions include city tours, museum trips and tours of the sprawling forts and castles throughout the city. The combination of colonial, traditional African and modern architecture throughout the city makes it a great place to tour on its own and many cruise lines will offer city architecture tours as part of their program.

For history buffs, a trip to the 17th century Christianborg Castle should not be missed. Depending on how long your cruise will be docking at the port, there are many more notable forts and castles that are worth seeing that all play a role in the colonial history of the area, including those that depict the region's role in the slave trade.

The popular National Museum also makes a nice day trip while visiting Accra as part pf a cruise. This expansive museum offers a look into the history of the country dating from ancient times through to modern day.

While in Accra, souvenirs include the fine kente cloth the region is known for. Other handicrafts include embroidered and beaded cotton, wax prints, and fine curios. Many outdoor markets and shopping centers in the city make finding memorable souvenirs to remind you of your trip to this fascinating region easy and affordable. Join in a tour from your cruise ship that takes you to specific markets and shopping areas or take to the streets yourself and explore the myriad of street vendors and other small shops selling mementos all around the port.