Kumasi, Ghana’s second city, is the historic capital of the Ashanti kingdom: a royal palace turned museum, the Kejetia market and the kente weaving tradition. This Kumasi travel guide covers what to see, the best time to go according to the Kumasi weather station, and safety advice from the UK FCDO and the U.S. State Department, read on 12 November 2026.
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Kumasi: what the FCDO and the State Department say
- Kumasi, in the Ashanti region, is not in an area where the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 4 November 2026) advises against travel. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel only to the Bawku Municipal area in the Upper East region, in the far north.
- The FCDO says robbery, burglary and serious assault have become more common since 2021, names Kumasi (with Accra and Takoradi) among the places where criminally motivated kidnapping has been reported in the media, and advises avoiding travel by road outside the main towns after dark, when the risk of serious road accidents and of attacks on vehicles is greater.
- The FCDO also reports tribal conflict in the western part of the Savannah Region, near the borders with Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, and says terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out in northern border areas. We do not recommend extending a trip north from Kumasi without checking the latest advice.
- The U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026) reports that violent crime such as armed robbery and kidnapping occasionally occurs, that robberies on highways are of particular concern at night, and that chieftaincy disputes have at times turned violent in rural areas.
- Sources, read on 12 November 2026: UK FCDO, Ghana travel advice and U.S. Department of State, Ghana country information.
Kumasi at a glance
- Region Ashanti, in south-central Ghana
- Languages English (official); Twi (Asante Twi) is the everyday language of the city
- Currency Ghanaian cedi (GHS)
- Time zone GMT (UTC+0): the same as London in winter and 1 hour behind in summer; 5 hours ahead of New York in winter and 4 in summer (time difference in Ghana)
- Airport Prempeh I International Airport; most travelers arrive via Accra
- Best time December to February
- Entry UK citizens need a visa before travel and a yellow fever certificate; US citizens should check visa rules with the Embassy of Ghana (travel.state.gov, GOV.UK)
Things to do in Kumasi
Manhyia Palace
Built in 1925, the old Manhyia Palace is now a museum of Ashanti royalty. The Asantehene, the king of the Ashanti, lives in a newer palace built nearby in 1972. Check opening hours on site.
Kejetia Market
Billed as the largest market in West Africa, with more than 10,000 shops and stalls, Kejetia is the commercial heart of the city. The crowds are very dense, and the FCDO warns of pickpocketing and street crime: leave valuables at the hotel and preferably go with a companion.
The Centre for National Culture and the Prempeh II Museum
The Centre for National Culture houses the Prempeh II Jubilee Museum, which displays Ashanti regalia and a replica of the Golden Stool, the symbol of the Ashanti nation. Craft workshops are also found there.
Kumasi Fort
Built by the British in 1896 on the site of an Ashanti fort, it now houses a military museum.
Kente and crafts
The Kumasi region is known for kente, a cloth woven in strips with colorful patterns and still made with traditional techniques. Buy preferably from identified workshops or cooperatives.
Lake Bosumtwi
Southeast of the city, Lake Bosumtwi fills a meteorite impact crater. It is the classic nature excursion from Kumasi; set out early so you are back before dark, as the FCDO advises against road travel outside the main towns after dark.
For the coast (Cape Coast, Elmina, Kakum) and Accra, see our Ghana travel guide and our Accra guide.
Kumasi climate
Kumasi is wetter than Accra. It gets 20 to 48 mm (0.8 to 1.9 in) of rain from December to February, then more than 100 mm (3.9 in) per month from March to October, except in August (85 mm / 3.3 in). February is the hottest month (34.4 °C / 94 °F average high) and August the coolest (28.2 °C / 83 °F).
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Rainy days | Day/night gap | Sunrise / sunset on the 15th | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32.8 °C (91 °F) | 21.1 °C (70 °F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 1 | 11.7 °C (21 °F) | 6:22 am / 6:09 pm | 11 h 47 min |
| February | 34.4 °C (94 °F) | 22.6 °C (73 °F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 4 | 11.8 °C (21 °F) | 6:23 am / 6:18 pm | 11 h 55 min |
| March | 33.8 °C (93 °F) | 23.0 °C (73 °F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 7 | 10.8 °C (19 °F) | 6:13 am / 6:17 pm | 12 h 5 min |
| April | 32.7 °C (91 °F) | 22.9 °C (73 °F) | 152 mm (6.0 in) | 9 | 9.8 °C (18 °F) | 5:58 am / 6:14 pm | 12 h 16 min |
| May | 31.8 °C (89 °F) | 22.8 °C (73 °F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) | 11 | 9.0 °C (16 °F) | 5:50 am / 6:15 pm | 12 h 25 min |
| June | 30.2 °C (86 °F) | 22.1 °C (72 °F) | 208 mm (8.2 in) | 12 | 8.1 °C (15 °F) | 5:51 am / 6:22 pm | 12 h 31 min |
| July | 28.6 °C (83 °F) | 21.5 °C (71 °F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 9 | 7.1 °C (13 °F) | 5:58 am / 6:26 pm | 12 h 28 min |
| August | 28.2 °C (83 °F) | 21.3 °C (70 °F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 8 | 6.9 °C (12 °F) | 6:00 am / 6:21 pm | 12 h 20 min |
| September | 29.3 °C (85 °F) | 21.6 °C (71 °F) | 168 mm (6.6 in) | 12 | 7.7 °C (14 °F) | 5:57 am / 6:06 pm | 12 h 9 min |
| October | 30.8 °C (87 °F) | 21.9 °C (71 °F) | 147 mm (5.8 in) | 13 | 8.9 °C (16 °F) | 5:52 am / 5:51 pm | 11 h 59 min |
| November | 31.9 °C (89 °F) | 22.3 °C (72 °F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 5 | 9.6 °C (17 °F) | 5:56 am / 5:45 pm | 11 h 49 min |
| December | 31.6 °C (89 °F) | 21.7 °C (71 °F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 2 | 9.9 °C (18 °F) | 6:09 am / 5:53 pm | 11 h 44 min |
Destination de Voyage calculation from the 1981–2010 normals of the two stations: Kumasi receives 1,315 mm (51.8 in) of rain a year against 741 mm (29.2 in) in Accra, about 1.8 times as much. Proportionally, the gap is widest in August and September: 85.4 and 167.5 mm (3.4 and 6.6 in) in Kumasi against 22.2 and 47.1 mm (0.9 and 1.9 in) in Accra. If you travel in summer, the coast is therefore drier than Ashanti country.
- For the city and Lake Bosumtwi: December to February.
- Best avoided if possible: June (208.5 mm / 8.2 in) and September–October (12 to 13 rainy days a month).
- Ashanti festivals: their dates follow the traditional calendar; check with official local sources before building a trip around them.
Getting to Kumasi and getting around
Kumasi is linked to Accra by road and by air to Prempeh I airport. The FCDO says roads outside the main towns can be in poor condition, that street lighting is poor or non-existent, and that you should avoid traveling by road outside the main towns after dark, when the risk of serious accidents and of attacks on vehicles is much greater. The State Department also reports armed robberies on highways, especially at night. Leave early and plan to arrive in daylight.
The FCDO notes that the drivers of « tro tros » and popular app-based taxis are not centrally licensed, and that outside major towns and cities it is safer to use pre-booked vehicles from reputable taxi companies.
Where to stay in Kumasi
Choose a hotel with good security (guard, closed car park) and easy access by car, rather than a place near the very congested market. Use the room safe for your passport and money.
Entry requirements, health and safety
- UK citizens: according to the FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 4 November 2026), you must have a visa. Complete the online application on the Ghana High Commission website, pay online, upload your supporting documents (including a yellow fever certificate) and send hard copies by post as directed; processing takes 10 to 15 days. Your passport must expire at least 6 months after your arrival date.
- US citizens: the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, Ghana page last updated July 9, 2026) directs travelers to the Embassy of Ghana’s website for current visa information; check the requirements there before you book. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required on arrival for anyone over nine months old.
- Health declaration: the FCDO says international travelers must complete an online Ghana Health Declaration before travel because of additional Ebola screening at entry points.
- Emergency numbers: 999 or 112 (ambulance, fire, police); 192 for police (FCDO).
- Health: the FCDO lists yellow fever, malaria and dengue among the risks and says medical facilities are poor outside towns; make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation.
Frequently asked questions about Kumasi
Is Kumasi safe?
Kumasi is not in an area where the FCDO advises against travel, but both the FCDO and the State Department report serious crime, including on roads at night. Avoid traveling after dark.
What is there to see in Kumasi?
Manhyia Palace Museum, Kejetia Market, the Prempeh II Museum at the Centre for National Culture, Kumasi Fort and, nearby, Lake Bosumtwi.
What language is spoken in Kumasi?
Twi (Asante Twi) in daily life; English is the official language of Ghana.
When is the best time to go to Kumasi?
December to February: 20 to 48 mm (0.8 to 1.9 in) of rain per month (1981–2010 normals), against more than 100 mm (3.9 in) from March to October, except August.
Can you go from Kumasi to Mole National Park?
We do not currently recommend it without checking the latest advice: the park is in the north, where the FCDO reports tribal conflict in the western Savannah Region and advises against all but essential travel to the Bawku area.
Our sources
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Ghana (GOV.UK, updated 4 November 2026), read on 12 November 2026
- U.S. Department of State, Ghana country information (travel.state.gov, last updated July 9, 2026), read on 12 November 2026
- World Meteorological Organization, World Weather Information Service: 1981–2010 normals for Kumasi and Accra (Ghana Meteorological Agency)
- Destination de Voyage astronomical calculation using the NOAA solar algorithm
- Wikipedia (EN) « Kumasi » and « Ghana »
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
