The two essential day trips are right next door. Elmina, 15 km west, has Saint George's Castle — older even than Cape Coast Castle (built by the Portuguese in 1482) and equally affecting. The Elmina fishing harbour next to the castle is one of the largest and most photogenic in West Africa. Combine both castles in a single hard day, or split into two.
Kakum National Park, 30 km north, has the canopy walkway and tropical rainforest. Go early.
Further afield: Anomabu, 30 km east, has a smaller Fante fishing town and Fort William (1753), one of the better-preserved smaller slave forts. Brenu Akyinim Beach, west of Elmina, is a long stretch of empty sand backed by coconut palms.
For a longer trip, the historic Ashanti capital of Kumasi is around five hours inland — a different world from the coast, with the Manhyia Palace and the great Kejetia central market.
