Things to see in Cape Coast

Castles & palaces

Fort Nassau

The first Dutch fort built on Ghana's Gold Coast, bearing traces of early European colonial history and the Atlantic slave trade. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, it's a worthwhile stop for travelers interested in history.

Castles & palaces

Fort Coenraadsburg

A small fort in Cape Coast, Ghana, standing opposite Elmina Castle on the site of a former Portuguese chapel. It bears witness to the history of the transatlantic slave trade and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Museums & galleries

Elmina Java Museum

This museum in Elmina tells the story of local soldiers who served in the Dutch East Indies army during the 19th century. It offers a window into the intertwined past of West Africa and Europe through this little-known history.

Castles & palaces

Fort William Lighthouse

A lighthouse on Dawson's Hill in the old town of Cape Coast. It is a separate structure from Cape Coast Castle, standing about 600 meters away.

Nature

Fosu Lagoon

This lagoon in Cape Coast, Ghana, connects to the Atlantic Ocean. It has long been a source of livelihood for local residents and offers views of untouched natural scenery.

Museums & galleries

Cape Coast Castle Museum

An ethnography and archaeology museum located inside Cape Coast Castle, opened in 1974. Its exhibits, housed within the historic fortress, offer a look into the region's past.

Temples & religious sites

St. Joseph's Minor Basilica Church

This Roman Catholic church stands in Elmina near Cape Coast and was built in 1880 as Ghana's first Catholic church. Busts of the priests who founded it flank the entrance.

Castles & palaces

Fort McCarthy

Built during the era of British Gold Coast rule, this fort is one of several colonial-era structures scattered around Cape Coast. Its old walls and ruins offer a glimpse into that period's history.

Temples & religious sites

St. Francis de Sales Cathedral

A Roman Catholic cathedral in Cape Coast dedicated to St. Francis de Sales. As one of the city's landmark religious buildings, it makes for a quiet, pleasant visit.

Nature

Kakum River

A river flowing near Cape Coast that gave its name to the famous Kakum National Park. It also supplies drinking water to Cape Coast and several surrounding towns.