Elmina Castle
Cape Coast, Ghana
Elmina Castle, also known as St. George’s Castle, is thought to be the oldest surviving European building in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this superlative, the building is renowned for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, as thousands of enslaved peoples were held captive here before being forcibly shipped to the Americas. In addition to touring the castle and dungeons here, you can visit a small museum to learn more about the history of the slave trade.
The basics
A guided tour of Elmina Castle offers a haunting look into the legacy of colonialism in Africa, including the devastating transatlantic slave trade. In about an hour, your guide will take you through the castle’s main rooms, to a small Catholic church, and out to the Door of No Return—where thousands of enslaved people passed before boarding ships bound across the Atlantic. Thanks to its historical significance, Elmina Castle is often included on guided tours of the Cape Coast region and frequently bundled with excursions to the Cape Coast Castle.
Things to know before you go
You can only visit Elmina Castle with a guide; walk-up visitors will be assigned a guide upon arrival.
The tour typically takes less than an hour, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy other nearby attractions.
Due to its historic construction, the castle is not wheelchair-accessible.
There are basic restroom facilities on-site.
A small gift shop sells history books, souvenirs, and locally made goods.
If you visit on a day trip from Accra, consider booking a guided tour to streamline transportation logistics.
How to get there
Elmina Castle is located in the small fishing town of Elmina, roughly 20 minutes by car from Cape Coast. While the fastest way to get there is by taxi, the least expensive way is by trotro (shared van). Most tours include round-trip transportation from your hotel in the Cape Coast or Accra area.
When to get there
Elmina Castle is typically open from 9am until 4:30pm daily. Be sure to check in advance for closures due to holidays or other events, which may be listed on the Ghana Tourism Authority website or social media pages. Most of the historic buildings don’t have air conditioning, so plan your trip earlier in the day to avoid mid-afternoon heat.
Elmina beyond the castle
The town of Elmina is best known for Elmina Castle, but history lovers will find even more to explore outside of the castle’s whitewashed walls. Options include heading to the fishing harbor to see the historical port in action, visiting a 200-year-old Dutch cemetery, or walking to the hilltop Fort St. Jago to catch views of the city and ocean beyond.
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