James Town Lighthouse
James Town Lighthouse
3.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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3.5
229 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
72
Average
68
Poor
27
Terrible
18
Rob Nesbit
Warsaw, Poland3,273 contributions
Dec 2021
Bit of a dump to be honest. This is an amenity that is very much underutilized.
Cant go up the lighthouse which is a shame and the area is very dirty around it. An actual rubbish tip behind the lighthouse. Its a shame as this is an interesting sight to see and the local government should really tidy it up and invest in the area as many tourists come to visit this lighthouse...........what a waste. tut tut.
Was offered an hours tour of the lighthouse and to get the local history but declined as I couldn't see the point of spending an hour here. 20 minutes max and I was gone.
Cant go up the lighthouse which is a shame and the area is very dirty around it. An actual rubbish tip behind the lighthouse. Its a shame as this is an interesting sight to see and the local government should really tidy it up and invest in the area as many tourists come to visit this lighthouse...........what a waste. tut tut.
Was offered an hours tour of the lighthouse and to get the local history but declined as I couldn't see the point of spending an hour here. 20 minutes max and I was gone.
Written December 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Munya M
Pretoria, South Africa52 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Jamestown is a very depressed area in Accra. There are lots of false tour guides who hustle and can fight for money. We were lucky to have local tour guides. Jamestown is situated on higher ground to the surroundings. In my view there's nothing to do beyond 10 minutes. One will appreciate how the poor survive in Accra.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Way Farer
Rijeka, Croatia134 contributions
Oct 2020
I first visited this place ten or so years ago and if my memory serves me well, one couldn’t climb up the lighthouse then just as one can’t today. It’s still “being renovated”. Judging by the pace they have been doing it, we won’t witness its reopening to public any time soon. Having said that, I nevertheless enjoyed my new visit. Reading reviews here, some of them rather harsh and even negative, I believe one must take into account we are talking about black Africa which isn’t cracked up to be exactly the richest part of the world. So yes, James Town will probably come across as gritty, and dirty, particularly to an unaccustomed eye, because this is one of poorer parts of the city. And yes, as soon as they recognize a foreign tourist in you people will ask for a hand-out for whatever excuse they can come up with. But take it with a smile, don’t get offended and you’ll see they are as friendly and nice as anyone. And unless you are not merely into landmarks but are also interested in seeing how quite a few people there live, James Town may well be worth a visit. And as a very nice bonus, just below the lighthouse, you can walk right down to the sea and observe fishing boats with fishermen either hauling in their catch or repairing their nets. A truly picturesque sight you are not likely to see in your own country. So open your eyes, look past the squalor and dirt and you’ll see there’s much more to James Town than poverty.
Written November 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josh M
28 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
As soon as I exited my uber at Jamestown lighthouse I could see a few locals making a bee-line for me.
I took a few quick pictures before the "you need a tour guide" back and forth started.
I politely but firmly declined two and then when I tried to walk down to the beach was acostered am by a third who claimed he needed an entrance fee. This was clearly a lie and I refused.
The three then started ganging up and getting more forceful.
I then walked away towards the fishing village and had them running after me.
They then said I was forbidden to go there without a guide and again, they started surrounding me and being aggressive.
It would have been easy to just pay the cedis they were asking for but in principle I wouldn't. I think this would only encourage them to continue with this behaviour in the future so i would encourage anyone to refuse the same way.
I ended up only having a quick look at the lighthouse and left without exploring the fishing area that i wanted to.
Such a shame.
I feel like on another day it could've been a lovely trip.
I took a few quick pictures before the "you need a tour guide" back and forth started.
I politely but firmly declined two and then when I tried to walk down to the beach was acostered am by a third who claimed he needed an entrance fee. This was clearly a lie and I refused.
The three then started ganging up and getting more forceful.
I then walked away towards the fishing village and had them running after me.
They then said I was forbidden to go there without a guide and again, they started surrounding me and being aggressive.
It would have been easy to just pay the cedis they were asking for but in principle I wouldn't. I think this would only encourage them to continue with this behaviour in the future so i would encourage anyone to refuse the same way.
I ended up only having a quick look at the lighthouse and left without exploring the fishing area that i wanted to.
Such a shame.
I feel like on another day it could've been a lovely trip.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark B
Swindon, UK4 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
Via.csited Jamestown lighthouse yesterday. As soon as we got out of the taxi we were "hounded" by a Tourism official. Taken to the Tourism Office, they wanted 30 cedis for a guided tour and before we could take any pictures of the lighthouse. The lighthouse was closed to Tourists. There was an overpouring smell of sewerage. Litter was dumped everywhere. The whole place looked unkept. We turned around and got back in the taxi. They call this a tourist spot! They need to clean up their act. Avoid this place. If i could have given this place 0 out of 5 i would have done.
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sergio B
Accra, Ghana37 contributions
Jul 2021
When in Accra, a visit to Jamestown is a must. Jamestown is an old settlement where time seems to stand still. Although the place is quite degraded, it offers the visitors suggestive corners, curiosities, stories that are rarely found in other areas of the hectic metropolis. Jamestown is full of monuments such as Usher Fort, Lighthouse, the old port, the Customs House, the old Post Office and the first hotel built in Accra. Don't forget to visit the food markets, such as the fish market at the old port, and the no-food market at Timber Market. To quench your thirst and satiate your appetite you will find many bars and locals restaurants ready to make you taste the typical dishes of the neighbourhood. In recent years Jamestown has organized guided tours that take visitors to know this little wonder that will reveal so many secrets and mysteries.
Written June 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jazzumbo
Romania1,712 contributions
Jun 2021
First of all, the lighthouse building can't be visited. It's locked.
On the way to the lighthouse, the visitors can see an informal settlement on the beach, where a local fishermen community live in a shocking poverty.
On the other side of the lighthouse there's o Chinese fishing harbor. The local authorities (government?) sold this piece of land to some Chinese business men. Banners with various messages in Chinese language (Chinese Communist Party propaganda, I guess) are visible on the fence and above the entrance to facility. According to my taxi driver, the Chinese fishing port doesn't hire locals. They use Chinese employees only and take all the fish they can get, without restrictions, with their modern fishing boats.
The local fishermen keep struggling to feed their families with their traditional fishing boats.
There's a bar next to the Chinese fishing port entrance which sale bottles of Chinese booze with ginseng roots macerated inside, to satisfy the demand of Chinese workers.
There are some locals hanging around the lighthouse, trying to persuade the possible visitors to pay some fee for a guided tour around. There's nothing to see or do around the lighthouse, except for a dirty, smelly and sad slum.
The James Town community deserve more care from authorities.
On the way to the lighthouse, the visitors can see an informal settlement on the beach, where a local fishermen community live in a shocking poverty.
On the other side of the lighthouse there's o Chinese fishing harbor. The local authorities (government?) sold this piece of land to some Chinese business men. Banners with various messages in Chinese language (Chinese Communist Party propaganda, I guess) are visible on the fence and above the entrance to facility. According to my taxi driver, the Chinese fishing port doesn't hire locals. They use Chinese employees only and take all the fish they can get, without restrictions, with their modern fishing boats.
The local fishermen keep struggling to feed their families with their traditional fishing boats.
There's a bar next to the Chinese fishing port entrance which sale bottles of Chinese booze with ginseng roots macerated inside, to satisfy the demand of Chinese workers.
There are some locals hanging around the lighthouse, trying to persuade the possible visitors to pay some fee for a guided tour around. There's nothing to see or do around the lighthouse, except for a dirty, smelly and sad slum.
The James Town community deserve more care from authorities.
Written August 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shimnik
Delft, The Netherlands6,491 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
If you are not afraid to be in the slum of Accra, you can see the lighthouse from outside. It is closed for restoration work at the moment (or permanently). I was offered to have a tour to the fishermen village and James Fort. I rejected the offer, because the guy did not look reliable. Moreover, later on I realsed that the fort is actually closed...
Written January 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shata A
16 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
You can locate me at Accra James Town Lighthouse. The name of the street to locate me is also known as Banarman street.
Tel:+233276004330
Address:Randy Abugi C/O Samuel Addo ,James Town X322 Ghana Accra,West Africa
Tel:+233276004330
Address:Randy Abugi C/O Samuel Addo ,James Town X322 Ghana Accra,West Africa
Written July 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WitraB
Middle East30 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Our driver specifically asked for a tour guide by name, "Nice One". He seemed a kind guy and gave us a fairly informative tour around the boat and fishing neighbourhood. He claimed all money we donated at the end of the tour would go to the local school. After seeing the view from the top he asked us for payment. We gave him the equivalent of 50 USD which seemed more than fair for 40 minutes of work. We had our doubts about whether any would have gone to the school. He told us "this isn't enough" and started to pout. Of course he was blocking our way down the stairs at this point which felt somewhat threatening. We said that was all we had brought (true!) but he gave us the cold shoulder from that point onwards. It left a bit of a bad taste in our mouth but we were glad we went because the view was outstanding.
Written April 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
minnie6868
1 contribution
any hotels in jamestown, accra? need accommodation there
Stam P
London, UK21 contributions
you need to be careful if it's around the port and the lighthouse. It can be unsafe at night. check were the hotel is and that it is well lit, easy access to transport, with a community feel.
Giving you this caution the markets are open 24/7 and they are buzzing.
James Town Lighthouse (Accra) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about James Town Lighthouse
- We recommend booking James Town Lighthouse tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 30 James Town Lighthouse tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience James Town Lighthouse:
- Know Ghana in 4 hrs - Accra City Tour (From $92.00)
- Experience the Beauty, History and the Culture Of Accra in a Day (From $70.00)
- 1 Day Accra City Tour (From $71.00)
- Ghanian adventure safari 8 days 7 Nights( comfort) (From $2,188.72)
- Accra City Tour X (From $223.08)
- Hotels near James Town Lighthouse:
- (0.16 mi) Konkon Wonderland
- (1.67 mi) Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City
- (3.02 mi) Agoo
- (1.60 mi) Movenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra
- (3.07 mi) somewhere nice
- Restaurants near James Town Lighthouse:
- (2.44 mi) Heritage Indian Restaurant
- (3.50 mi) Tandoor Indian Restaurant
- (2.44 mi) Noble House Restaurant
- (0.68 mi) Osekan Bar
- (4.76 mi) Simret – The Taste of Ethiopia