Best Time to Visit Accra

December to February: dry and sunny

This is the best stretch. December and January are the top picks, with about eight rainy days each and plenty of sun. Afternoons are hot and sticky, but you'll get long, bright days for Labadi Beach, Jamestown's old lighthouse and the Osu Castle area. February is a step down, with more rain, but still fine.

December is also the busiest time. Many Ghanaians living abroad fly home, and the city fills with family visits, parties and beach crowds. Flights and rooms get tight. In 2019 the government's "Year of Return" made this season even bigger, and the festive mood has stayed. If you like a lively scene, come in December. If you'd rather have more space, go in January.

Late December and early January also bring Afrochella-style music events and big beach parties. Plans change from year to year, so check which ones are on.

March to July: the long wet season

March is when the rain really sets in. From March to June you'll see rain on almost every day, and May and June are the wettest, with June just ahead at 207 mm. Humidity stays high and the sun is often hidden. Most rain comes as heavy downpours that flood roads. Traffic in the city gets slow, so give yourself extra time to reach places like Makola Market.

There's an upside. It's low season, so hotels are quieter and the air is a bit cooler by June and July. If you're here for food, museums or the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, a wet day won't ruin much. Beach days are a harder sell.

August to November: a short break, then more rain

August is a surprise. It's rated Good, with only 11 rainy days and the lowest temperatures of the year. This dry spell is a handy window if you can't travel in winter. It's also when Homowo, the Ga people's harvest festival, usually takes place around August and September. It's marked with a special meal called kpokpoi, and a lot of the celebration happens in Ga neighbourhoods like Jamestown.

September and October turn wet again. October is the rainier of the two, with rain on 29 days. November eases off and is rated Fair, a decent time to come if you want to beat the December rush.