Tourist Places to Visit in Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana, Africa

Tourist Places to Visit in Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana, Africa

Kumasi is a Ghanaian city coming under the Ashanti region in the southern part of the country. It is popularly called “The Garden City” due to its rich vegetation including the abundance of colorful flower and plant species. Kumasi is geographically positioned at 6°40′00″ N 1°37′00″ W, around 250 meters above sea level and about 250 km northwest of Accra, the capital of Ghana. Kumasi experiences a tropical wet and dry climate, with an average precipitation of 1400 millimeters annually. Kumasi lies in the vicinity of the famous Lake Bosomtwe and is also famous among visitors for the historic Fort Kumasi, St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica and cultural centres.

History of Kumasi:

According to the archeological findings, Kumasi was first inhabited in the Neolithic age. Kumasi came to limelight in 1695 becoming the capital of the Ashanti Confederacy during the reign of Osei Tutu. Since then, Kumasi has been serving as the commercial and cultural capital of Ashanti region.

How to reach Kumasi?

Kumasi hosts an international airport, situated 3.5 km away from the heart of the city. It operates scheduled flights from and to Accra, served by Antrak Air, Africa World Airlines, Starbow Airlines and Fly540. Kotoka International Airport in Accra is situated around 25 km away from Kumasi, covering many prominent European and African cities.

The bus transportation to Kumasi extends to Accra, which takes around 6 hours and costs around $12, served by O.A. and STC.

Culture, Shopping and Food in Kumasi:

The Adae Kese Festival is the focal point of the Kumasi’s culture, which witnesses the presence of the thousands of people across the Ashanti region. Kumasi Market is the West Africa’s largest market, heaven for traditional shoppers’.

List of the top end restaurants in Kumasi include:

Moti Mahal Restaurant
Nik Pizza King
The View Bar and Grill
Vic Baboo’s Cafe

Things to do in Kumasi:

Tour of the Palace grounds
The Adae festival celebration
Kumasi Walking Day Tours

Places of interest in Kumasi:

Manhyia Palace:

The Manhyia Palace is a historic mansion, belonging to the Asantehene of Asanteman. It was originally constructed by the British and the current shape of palace dates from 1995. The Asante traditional events including the Adae festival and the Palace Museum are the highlights of Manhyia Palace.

Fort Kumasi:

The Fort Kumasi was constructed in 1896 replacing Asante Fort. Currently it is home to a museum showcasing the region’s history and culture.

Prempeh II Jubilee Museum:

The Prempeh II Jubilee Museum is open for visitors from 9 AM to 6 PM. The museum’s collections include the former Asante kings’ personal belongings, highlighted by the golden stool and artifacts.

Ghana Armed Forces Museum:

The Ghana Armed Forces Museum is situated at 22 Steward Avenue and visitors are allowed between 9 AM to 5 PM (Tuesday-Saturday). The museum covers the British-Asante War, two World Wars and many other important wars as well as the Ghanaian military history.

St Peter’s Cathedral Basilica:

The St Peter’s Cathedral Basilica was devoted to Saint Peter on June 2, 2004. This Roman Catholic cathedral and basilica is one of the prime religious sites of Kumasi, frequented by both devotees and tourists year round.

List of the other places of interest in Kumasi includes:

Kumasi Hat Museum
Tafo Kumasi
Kumasi Market
Kumasi Zoo
Asantehene’s Palace
Kumasi National Cultural Centre
Kejetia Market
The Green Ranch
Asante Buildings

Best time to visit Kumasi:

December to February is generally the most ideal time to visit Kumasi, while the weather remains warm and sunny.

Accommodation options in Kumasi:

Holding a grand history behind, Kumasi draws loads of tourists throughout the year and in order to serve them, the city houses plenty of both modernized and traditional hotels spread up all around the city. Some top end hotels in Kumasi in Ghana are listed below: