Things to do in  Kumasi

Manhyia Palace Museum offers a glimpse into Ashanti royal history and culture. Once home to Ashanti kings, the museum features an extensive collection of royal artifacts, including swords, jewelry, medals, and the revered Golden Stool. You can explore the palace's interiors and learn about the kingdom's past, making it an essential destination for understanding the Ashanti cultural legacy.

This teeming open-air marketplace in the heart of Kumasi is often called the largest in West Africa. Whether or not that’s been proven, you can see where the description comes from: There are around 12,000 stalls open for business, selling everything from clothes and Ashanti sandals to fresh produce and hand-made beads. But don’t expect an attraction geared toward tourists. This is where locals get their shopping done.

Dating back to the 1800s, the Kumasi Fort and Military Museum showcases Ghana's military history, including the British-Ashanti War and World War II. The building features war weapons, medals, photographs, cannons, and other military artifacts. Come here to learn about the complex relationship between Ghana and Britain.

The greatest draw to this small museum housed inside a traditional Asante regalia house is a recreation of the Golden Stool, the seat of power of the lost Asante Kingdom. Visit to find a small but comprehensive collection of historical items relating to Asante royalty and culture, from royal war attire and ceremonial outfits to palace furnishings, jewelry, and insignia.

Lake Bosumtwi, Ghana’s sole natural lake, was formed in a meteorite impact crater 17 miles (27 kilometers) southeast of Kumasi, and dozens of small villages now line the shores, all surrounded by lush greenery. Since the 1970s, the lake has become a popular recreational spot, with calm water where you can safely swim. Since the lake has no surface outlets, the water level has gradually risen over the years, and the villages on its banks are forced to relocate further up the hillsides from time to time. According to Ashanti traditional beliefs, the spirits of the dead come to Lake Bosumtwi to bid farewell to the god Twi. Since it’s considered sacred, there’s a taboo against letting metal touch the water, so locals may only fish the lake using large planks of wood.

Kumasi Centre for National Culture showcases Ghanaian culture and explores what it means to be Ghanaian. You can see traditional arts and crafts, and live music and dance performances. The center offers craft workshops—such as beadwork, pottery, wood carving, and batik—and there’s also the on-site Prempeh II Jubilee Museum, with rare antiques and Asante regalia.

The remnants of the powerful Asante Empire, an African kingdom that peaked in the 18th century, lie among these 10 dwellings and shrines in locations near Kumasi, Ghana. Made from mud, wood, and straw, the structures represent traditional West African architectural and spiritual heritage and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For a taste of the African rainforest while in Ghana, plan a trip to the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary outside of Kumasi. The five-square-mile (13-square-kilometer) swath of secondary forest surrounds a sizable reservoir and attracts a variety of wildlife, most notably some 160 species of birds. Many of the mammal species, like antelope that live in the sanctuary, are shy and difficult to spot, but monkey sightings are quite common. From a historical perspective, the sanctuary is of interest because its reservoir, formed by the construction of the Barekese Dam in 1971, is the source of Kumasi’s water. Whether you come for the wildlife, the scenic appeal or to see the source of Kumasi’s water, the sanctuary makes for a pleasant escape from the often overwhelming clamor of Kumasi.

Bantama High Street in Kumasi, Ghana's second-largest city, is renowned for its vibrant nightlife. Especially lively from Thursdays to Sundays, this bustling street is lined with open-air pubs where people gather to enjoy drinks and kebabs. A no-frills, down-to-earth destination, the street offers a taste of authentic Ghanaian nightlife.