- Elmina Castle (St. George’s Castle): Built by the Portuguese in 1482, this is the oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa. Guided tours take you through the dungeons, the “Door of No Return” and the governor’s quarters, and the guides are blunt and well informed. Go at opening time to beat the school groups. Expect about US$8 to 15 for foreign visitors, and allow 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Elmina Fishing Harbor: Hundreds of painted wooden canoes crowd the Benya Lagoon, with nets being mended and fish smoked on the quay. The best hours are 6:00 to 9:00 AM, when the catch comes in. Entry is free, although local youths may offer guiding for a tip of a few dollars. Allow 1 hour, and wear shoes you do not mind getting fishy.
- Fort St. Jago: Dutch-built in the 1660s on Java Hill, directly above the castle,
- Elmina Castle (St. George’s Castle): Built by the Portuguese in 1482, this is the oldest European building in sub-Saharan Africa. Guided tours take you through the dungeons, the “Door of No Return” and the governor’s quarters, and the guides are blunt and well informed. Go at opening time to beat the school groups. Expect about US$8 to 15 for foreign visitors, and allow 1 to 1.5 hours.
- Elmina Fishing Harbor: Hundreds of painted wooden canoes crowd the Benya Lagoon, with nets being mended and fish smoked on the quay. The best hours are 6:00 to 9:00 AM, when the catch comes in. Entry is free, although local youths may offer guiding for a tip of a few dollars. Allow 1 hour, and wear shoes you do not mind getting fishy.
- Fort St. Jago: Dutch-built in the 1660s on Java Hill, directly above the castle, it gives the best view over the red roofs, the lagoon and the harbor. Late afternoon light is gentler for photos. It is quieter than the castle, with a small entry fee of roughly US$3 to 6, and you need 30 to 45 minutes.
- Posuban shrines: Elmina’s Asafo warrior companies built these colorful, sculpted concrete shrines in the 19th and 20th centuries, with ships, lions and Biblical figures on them. They are scattered through the old town, so walk the lanes with a local who knows which are which. Free to see, though a guide costs a few dollars. Allow 1 hour, ideally in morning light.
- Dutch Cemetery: Near the castle, this walled graveyard holds Dutch and other European graves dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, among them officials and soldiers who died on the coast. It is small, calm and informative on how deadly the coast was for Europeans. Entry is cheap or sometimes free, and 20 to 30 minutes is plenty.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.