Kumasi City Tour
- 0.1–0.5 hour
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Explore the rich history and culture of Kumasi, the heart of the Ashanti Kingdom and Ghana's second city. Tour the maze of streets full of traffic and vendors, visit museums and sites of Asante culture, taste our local food, and also explore a couple structures from colonial times. At the Kejetia market, you will get the chance to shop and bargain like a local.
Inclusions
What's included
- Snacks
- Lunch
- All Fees and Taxes
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Itinerary
The Ashanti Region is located in the southern part of Ghana and is the third largest of 16 administrative regions, occupying a total land surface of 24,389 km2 (9,417 sq mi) and making up 10.2 percent of the total land area of Ghana. It is the most populated region in Ghana, with a population of 5,440,463 according to the 2021 census, accounting for around one-fifth of Ghana's total population.The Ashanti Region is known for its gold bar and cocoa production. The largest city and capital of Ashanti is Kumasi.
In the heart of Kumasi, Ashanti, Ghana, lies a gem of African history and culture – the Manhyia Palace Museum. This African Art museum, nestled within the grounds of the Manhyia Palace, serves as a vibrant testament to the Ashanti nation's past and a beacon of cultural legacy that transcends the borders of Ghana. Established in 1925 as the private residence of Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I, who was returning from nearly three decades of exile, the museum echoes the stories of Ashantiland and its rich heritage, prior to British colonization. This invaluable institution stands as a memorial to the Ashanti kings, queens, and leaders, breathing life into their histories and broadcasting the wealth of their culture to generations yet unborn.
The ‘immovable’ sword driven into the ground by Okomfo Anokye remains and is the venue of the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. History has it that the sword was pushed into the ground almost 300 years ago. It is believed that the Okomfo pronounced that no one would be able to remove the sword, and so it has remained in spite of attempts. The Ashanti state, it is believed, would collapse should the sword ever be pulled out of the ground.
This museum may be small, but the personalized tour included with admission is a fascinating introduction to Ashanti culture and history. Among the displays are artifacts relating to the Ashanti king Prempeh II, including the king's war attire, ceremonial clothing, jewelry, protective amulets, personal equipment for bathing and dining, furniture, royal insignia, and some fine brass weights for weighing gold. Constructed to resemble an Ashanti chief's house, it has a courtyard in front and walls adorned with traditional carved symbols. Among the museum's intriguing photos is a rare one of the famous Golden Stool. The museum also contains the fake golden stool handed over to the British in 1900.
From afar, the Kejetia Market looks like an alien mothership landed in the centre of Kumasi. Closer up, the rusting tin roofs of this huge market (often cited as the largest in West Africa; there are 11,000 stalls and at least four times as many people working here) look like a circular shanty town. Inside, the throbbing Kejetia is quite disorienting but utterly captivating.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.0
- 50
- 41
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 1 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- Selbeck Travel and Tours
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Kumasi
- Its from-price is 48% below the median of the 32 experiences we list in Kumasi.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 19 of 32.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Kumasi
Kumasi, capital of Ghana's Ashanti region, is the cultural heart of the Asante people, with a royal palace museum and a vast market.
Kumasi lies in the forested hills of southern Ghana and was founded in the late 17th century as the capital of the Asante kingdom. The Asantehene, the Asante king, still holds court there, and the Manhyia Palace Museum, in the former royal residence, tells the story of the kingdom with photographs and regalia. The Golden Stool, the sacred symbol of Asante unity, is kept away from public view.
Top-ranked sights in Kumasi: Manhyia Palace Museum (Asantehene's Palace), Kejetia Market, Prempeh II Jubilee Museum.
