Cape Coast Castle, Cape Coast, Central
Culture, Heritage & FamilyFort and museum

Cape Coast Castle

Cape Coast, Central

A whitewashed coastal fort used to hold captives during the transatlantic slave trade, now a museum.

Rjruiziii / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 ยท CC BY-SA 3.0

Visiting information

Address
Cape Coast, Central
Opening information
Opening times are not published by a source we can verify. Confirm locally before visiting.
Accessibility
Accessibility information has not been verified for this place.
Suggested time
2 hours, guided
Open in Google Maps Coordinates 5.103583, -1.24125

About this place

Built by the Swedes in 1653 and later the seat of the British Gold Coast administration, the castle's underground dungeons held enslaved people before embarkation. Guided tours move through the dungeons, the governor's rooms and the Door of No Return. It is part of the UNESCO inscription covering the forts and castles of Ghana's coast.

District profile

Cape Coast Castle, Cape Coast, Central
District

Cape Coast

A coastal town in the Central Region, formerly the British colonial capital of the Gold Coast and now a university town.

Why stay here: The centre of Ghana's heritage travel, within reach of Elmina and Kakum.

Atmosphere: Small-scale and academic, with the castle standing directly over the shore.

Shared taxis serve the town; a hired car is easier for Kakum and Elmina.

Nearby attractions

More to explore around Cape Coast and the wider Central.

Where to stay

Cape Coast

The centre of Ghana's heritage travel, within reach of Elmina and Kakum.

Plan the rest of your visit

Build an itinerary around this district, or check what Ghana requires for entry before you travel.

Sources and verification

Status: Verified. Last reviewed 2026-09-07.

UNESCO World Heritage Centre

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