Ghana’s National Mosque
Nestled in the bustling city of Accra, Ghana, the National Mosque stands as a testament to the country’s rich Islamic heritage and architectural prowess. Completed in 2021, this majestic structure serves as a focal point for the Muslim community and a notable landmark for visitors exploring the capital.
Said to be a replica of the famous Blue Mosque, Ghana’s National Mosque blends modern aesthetics with traditional Islamic elements, creating a harmonious synthesis of old and new. Its striking geometric patterns, intricate carvings, and soaring minarets make it a captivating sight for architecture enthusiasts and casual observers alike.
The mosque’s interior is equally impressive, with spacious prayer halls adorned with ornate calligraphy and intricate metalwork. Here, worshippers gather for daily prayers and special religious events, fostering a sense of community and spirituality.
Whether you’re drawn to its architectural splendor, seeking spiritual solace, or simply curious about Ghana’s diverse cultural landscape, a visit to the National Mosque promises an enriching experience that offers insight into the country’s Islamic heritage and contemporary identity.
*On some of the links provided I might make a commission if you purchase something by clicking through my link. This creates no additional cost for you.
Aburi Botanical Gardens
Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of the Akuapim Hills in southeastern Ghana, the Aburi Botanical Gardens offers a peaceful retreat for nature enthusiasts and visitors seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Established in 1890 during the colonial era, the gardens cover approximately 64 hectares and are renowned for their collection of indigenous and exotic plant species.
Originally designed by William Crowther, a British botanist, the gardens showcase a diverse array of flora, including towering palm trees, colorful orchids, and tropical foliage. Visitors can wander along winding pathways, taking in the sights and scents of the lush greenery, while also enjoying scenic views of the surrounding hillsides.
In addition to its botanical wonders, the Aburi Botanical Gardens offers idyllic spots for unwinding and enjoying nature. The gardens also serve as a center for research and conservation, contributing to the preservation of Ghana’s rich plant heritage.
A visit to the Aburi Botanical Gardens promises a tranquil escape and a chance to appreciate the beauty and biodiversity of Ghana’s natural landscape.
Getting to Aburi Botanical Gardens
Of course, you can take a tour. These tours often include other sights so you can wrap a few things together. They’re not a bad idea if they fit into your budget, or if several of the places are on your itinerary.
You could also hire a driver. If you encounter a Bolt/Uber/Yango driver you like you can simply ask what they would charge to take you to Aburi Botanical Gardens. Be sure to negotiate and pre-determine if the price agreed upon includes fuel. Make sure the deal includes them waiting and taking you back to Accra.
How to Take a Tro Tro to Aburi Botanical Gardens
So here’s how to take a Tro Tro!
First off, ask at your hotel because these instructions may differ depending on what part of Accra you’re in.
But what I can tell you is that I went to the Adenta tro tro station (as seen in the video) just past the Adenta Barrier, and there was a tro tro (minivan) with a sign atop it that said it was going to Aburi (and beyond). Not all tro tro stations have signs, some have people calling the places out and some you just have to ask.
I think I paid 40 cedis for the trip. (about $3.18 USD). While people did get on and off along the way, this destination is not like the inner city ones where the tro tro was stopping every 2 minutes.
However, tro tros don’t leave until they’re full. It took about an hour to fill, and then the ride was 30-35 minutes.
You may be told that you have to switch tro tros at a given station, depending on where you’re starting from. It’s just like transferring on a bus. Same process, and people will be happy to guide you to the right tro tro.
By the way, my favorite budget-friendly hotel in Accra is in the Adenta SDA neighorhood. You can find it HERE.
GETTING BACK TO ACCRA
- Walk down the hill from Aburi Botanical Gardens until you get to the Gas Station.
- Stand by the main road and wait until you see a tro tro.
- Put your hand up and call out, “Accra, Accra,” loud enough for the first mate to hear you. If they’re going to Accra, and they have space, they’ll stop.
- When they ask where you’re going, give them the name of the last tro tro station you were at to get to Aburi, and/or the neighborhood where you want to go. If they’re going there, they’ll let you on.
- You can pay the first mate on the spot, or wait for him to ask for it after you’re seated.
Jamestown Walking Tour
The Jamestown Walking Tour offers an immersive journey through one of Accra’s most historic and vibrant neighborhoods, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to explore hidden gems and uncover the rich tapestry of local life. Unlike typical tourist excursions, this tour is curated to reveal the lesser-known aspects of Jamestown, guided by knowledgeable locals who offer insights into the area’s history, culture, and community.
Emphasizing authenticity and genuine experiences, the tour takes participants beyond the surface-level attractions, introducing them to places and people they might not encounter on their own. As one testimonial highlights, the tour is not about visiting bars, cafes, or art galleries commonly frequented by tourists. Instead, it’s about delving deeper into the fabric of Jamestown, connecting with its residents, and discovering its hidden treasures.
Highlights of the Jamestown Walking Tour include visits to the local boxing center, where visitors can witness the sport’s cultural significance, as well as stops at neighborhood bars to sample traditional drinks and interact with locals. These encounters offer a glimpse into daily life in Jamestown and provide a richer understanding of its vibrant community spirit.
For those unable to join the scheduled Saturday tour, private tours can be arranged, ensuring flexibility for visitors’ schedules. To make arrangements, simply contact the tour organizers in advance to secure your spot and ensure a personalized experience tailored to your interests.
Embark on the Jamestown Walking Tour for an unforgettable journey off the beaten path, where every step unveils a new facet of Accra’s dynamic culture and heritage.
Website for the Jamestown Walking Tour: https://jamestownwalkingtours.wordpress.com/jamestown-walking-tour/
or contact Leonard directly by phone or WhatsApp: +233 057 452 2272
Legon Botanical Gardens
Nestled in the lush greenery of Legon, Accra, the Legon Botanical Gardens beckon nature lovers and adventurers alike to immerse themselves in a tranquil oasis of biodiversity and serenity. Spanning over 50 hectares, this expansive botanical garden offers a haven for relaxation, exploration, and appreciation of Ghana’s natural beauty.
A visit to the Legon Botanical Gardens is a journey of discovery, where visitors can wander along meandering pathways and winding trails, surrounded by a rich tapestry of indigenous flora and fauna. From towering trees to vibrant flowers, the garden’s diverse plant life provides a picturesque backdrop for leisurely strolls and peaceful contemplation.
In addition to its botanical wonders, the Legon Botanical Gardens offer a range of activities to suit every interest and age group. Adventure seekers can soar through the treetops on the exhilarating canopy walkway, tackle the rope course, or go fishing while families can enjoy picnics by the tranquil ponds or embark on leisurely boat rides along the serene waterways.
For those seeking a deeper connection with nature, the garden’s educational programs and guided tours provide valuable insights into Ghana’s ecological heritage and conservation efforts. Visitors can learn about the importance of biodiversity and sustainable practices, gaining a newfound appreciation for the natural world.
Whether you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, reconnect with nature, or simply enjoy a leisurely day outdoors, the Legon Botanical Gardens offer an unforgettable experience for all who visit. Come and explore this verdant paradise, where every corner reveals a new wonder waiting to be discovered.
Madina Market
Nestled in the bustling district of Madina in Accra, Ghana, Madina Market beckons visitors with its vibrant atmosphere and eclectic array of goods. Spanning the size of a city block, the market offers a manageable yet exciting shopping experience that promises adventure without overwhelming newcomers.
One of the market’s standout features is its diverse selection of products, ranging from fresh produce to local crafts and textiles. While browsing through the bustling aisles, visitors can discover hidden treasures, whether it’s souvenirs to commemorate their trip or practical items like luggage and backpacks to accommodate their purchases.
Fabric enthusiasts will delight in the numerous fabric sellers that populate Madina Market, offering an extensive array of colorful textiles to peruse and purchase. Whether you’re searching for traditional Ghanaian prints or contemporary designs, the market boasts plenty of options to satisfy every taste.
Beyond its merchandise, what truly sets Madina Market apart is the warmth and friendliness of its vendors. Unlike some markets where interactions feel transactional, the people of Madina Market are known for their genuine hospitality and willingness to engage in conversation. Visitors can expect to strike up interesting and enjoyable discussions while exploring the market, adding an extra layer of richness to their experience.
Whether you’re a seasoned market aficionado or a newcomer eager to dive into the vibrant tapestry of Ghanaian culture, Madina Market offers a delightful shopping adventure that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.
Video Transcript
Welcome everyone, I am so glad you are here today because I get to share with you these hidden gems, places in Accra that you may or may not have heard about, but that are so totally worth your time and they are so awesome and definitely worth a visit if you can fit them in when you visit Ghana.
The first place on the list is Ghana’s National Mosque. It is an absolutely gorgeous building.
But what’s even more special about it is that they allow non-Muslims inside the mosque. And that’s rare. Most mosques do not do that. So it was really a major treat to be able to go inside of this mosque.
One of the reasons I don’t think it’s on the main tourist track is that while construction started in 2012, it wasn’t finished until and opened until 2021. So it really hasn’t been available for very long.
The mosque was a gift from Turkey and it is done in sort of a neo-Ottoman style, but it is a replica of the famous Blue Mosque. And as you can see, inside and out, it is absolutely gorgeous.
The first thing you need to know is that you will be asked to remove your shoes before entering the interior prayer areas of the mosque. So whatever footwear you choose, make sure it’s easy to slide on and off.
Number two, the mosque, so take care of things beforehand if you’re not comfortable using a squat toilet.
Number three is to help out your drivers is that the entrance for the mosque, if they don’t aren’t familiar with it, is behind it. So while you see the big beautiful building from the main road, you have to get down and around and behind it to get to the main gate.
And speaking of the main gate, number four is when you arrive, tell the security guy that you want to do a tour, and one of the security guys will give you a tour. And it’s as simple as that. The tour doesn’t technically cost anything, but you certainly want to tip your guide.
And the last thing is for the women, expect to be asked to cover your hair. Now if you have your own scarf, that’s great. They may offer you one. I showed up like this and they were completely fine with my hat covering my hair, but my hair is very short. It was fine, but be prepared to cover your hair as just out of respect.
I highly recommend visiting the National Mosque because honestly being able to enter this big beautiful mosque and see it all up close and the grandeur of it, it was just it was really one of my highlights when I visited Accra.
Next up is the Aburi Botanical Gardens. Now you might have heard of Aburi and the gardens, and they always promote it as a nice way to escape the heat, and it’s a pretty day out of Accra, and it is.
But I’m here to tell you that Aburi is more than just a nice little escape to beat the heat and the hustle and bustle of Accra. Aburi is really an awesome place to go. Aburi was actually the first place I ever rode a tro tro.
So I decided to do that again. So I did that in 2003 and honestly going up the mountain because you’re going up this curvy mountain and back then they packed the tro tros tighter then. I swear there were 16 people in the minivan and you know the driving was…I’ll call it a little more eccentric.
But I took a tro tro and it was fun. If you have a chance to take a tro tro up to Aburi or anywhere in Accra, there’s a million chances to take tro tros in Accra. But that’s another story.
The funniest thing was, and I don’t remember this from 20 years ago, I remember it dropping us off right at the entrance. And I’m not sure things didn’t get a little remodeled in the last 20 years. But it actually dropped me at a filling station that was at the base of a hill and they’re like, oh yeah, here. And then…
It’s walking distance. Oh, yeah, just go on up there. It’s walking distance.
I looked at it on Google and it was, you know, it was hot and I still had a whole botanical garden to walk around. And so I said, oh, 23 minute walk. Wow, that’s significant. That’s not just walking distance.
I bailed out and I said, “Taxi!”.
So I had a taxi to take me up the hill.
And so this young gentleman named Martin ended up as my guide. He is still studying to be the full on guide at the botanical gardens, but he knew everything he needed to know and he was absolutely great.
The first thing one of the first things they show you is this really cool I’d say it’s a hollowed out tree but it’s not it’s actually like this this parasite plant because what it does is it grows up around the tree but that it ends up choking it and killing it and so the tree dies inside and you’re left with this hollow ficus parasite thing and it stands as if it were the tree but it’s not.
You get to climb inside of it, take a good look around, and it’s just fun to be able to be interactive with the plant and to think that there was a tree there at one point in time. It was just a fun experience.
Then you walk around and you know you had me taste something and I’ll admit that was icky, but it was something they used to cure malaria. And then we went to the spice garden. He had me smell all these different spices and things from the different trees and they were just it was really fantastic and I loved the interactive nature of this tour.
And then there’s this tree that this artist did and every branch of it means something different there’s a story behind every branch.
Aburi Botanical Gardens is a great place to go. It doesn’t have to be, oh I need an escape from a craw. It is just great to go there. I highly recommend it.
Those of you who have been watching me for a while know I like to explore places on my own. And I just, I’ll go into a neighborhood, a town, wherever, and I don’t mind walking around on my own. I don’t mind getting stared at. And you know, I actually, I just enjoy discovering that way. I enjoy discovering things very naturally. The next thing I did though, you might think is out of character for me.
But I went on a Jamestown Walking Tour.
Now you can certainly go to Jamestown and you can go to the bars and the cafes and the art galleries and all that on your own and that’s no problem. And that’s not what this tour is about. The Jamestown Walking Tour is all about showing you places that you are not going to find as a tourist. That you are not going to just stumble into.
You might stumble into one of them but you’re not going to get this whole rich experience with the history and everything there is to see there. This is one of those places where having a local with you is very, very helpful.
You’ll not only visit the boxing center and a local bar to try local drink, you’ll meet the people who live and work there. And it is just, as I say, it’s an exceptional tour because it’s one of the few times I felt like, yeah, I couldn’t have done this on my own.
So I highly recommend taking the Jamestown walking tour. It is something that happens on Saturdays at 2 o’clock and I will give you the website. You do want to call or text ahead and let them know you’re coming.
If you cannot make Saturday at 2 o’clock, you can arrange a private tour with them. Just give them a call.
Okay so the next place, places I have to share with you are a combo because they’re close to each other. The first place in this Accra Tourism Power Combo is the Legon Botanical Gardens.
I know, not another botanical garden. Oh gosh, too many, she’s just going crazy with these botanical gardens. Right, that’s what you’re thinking, right? No, this one is entirely different.
One, it is within the city. There’s no tro-tro ride up a mountain or anything like that. And it is a whole different experience. It is not like manicured gardens and that sort of thing.
Now there is a lake in the center. I didn’t get to see the lake because part of it was under maintenance and construction when I was there, but there’s a lake and I think you’re going to be able to do fishing, but they have a rope canopy walkway going through the trees and it’s not like grand like the Kakum one, but it’s fun. It’s, you know, it’s a nice fun little canopy walkway, but they also have a rope course which is a challenge, obstacle course sort of thing.
And there are various activities that you can do while you’re at the park. So you can have a quiet afternoon in the park, or you can go adventuring in the park. It’s a nice park, and if you’re on that side of town and you need a little break, it is definitely worth your time. Or if you’re looking for adventure or if you have kids and you want to give them something to do, this would be a good place to take them.
There is an entrance fee of 20 C.D.s, and that’s a little less than $2.00 U.S. dollars. And then the various activities have prices on them, but if you do nothing else, you just
cedis to get in. And then after you’ve had this nice peaceful time at the the Botanical Gardens or the fun adventure sometime, then just 10 minutes away, a 10 minute ride away, is the Madina Market.
Now I’m gonna be doing a big thing on Accra and all the big tourist sites, but I went to like three beaches and three malls and three local markets. And out of the three local markets I went to, Madina was my favorite.
There are a few things I really like about the Madina Market. One, it’s about the size of a city block and that makes it manageable. It’s big, it’s active, it’s fun, but it’s manageable. So it’s not too intimidating if you’re new to markets, but it still feels like this great adventure.
The other thing I like is that while there’s a bunch of produce and a bunch of local products that you may or may not be interested in, there are quite a few things that you might find helpful. One, if you’ve been buying a bunch of souvenirs, you might need a new, luggage to take everything home with you. There’s definitely a few places to buy extra backpacks or small suitcases or anything you need in that category. Plus there are a number of fabric sellers, my favorite. There are a number of fabric sellers in the market, so you have plenty to look at.
And the other thing I really like about Madina Market is honestly the people are just really friendly. And I thought that they’re not friendly at the other markets, but in Madina Market
they have time to talk to you and they will talk to you and they’ll ask you questions and they’re not always just trying to sell you something they’re happy to have a conversation and so I got into some really interesting and fun conversations with people while I was wandering through Madina Market.
So you know I think it’s a great market experience whether you’re new at markets or whether you love markets I think it’s that great in between kind of satisfies everybody but go in have fun it’s my favorite market in Accra
If you can weave these hidden gems into your itinerary while you’re in a crot, I think you’re just gonna add some nice layers and textures to your experience here and make it even better.
Thanks for joining me. I’ll see you next time.
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