The Best Places to Shop in Accra for Christmas

If you’re visiting Accra this festive season, you may be wondering: where are the best places to shop for special treats and souvenirs? Where can I find gifts that capture the culture and style of Ghana?

As a resident, I’ve explored the ins and outs of Accra’s exciting retail scene. So let me be your guide to the city’s can’t-miss shops for Christmas.

We’ll cover everything from high fashion to handcrafted wares, art galleries to food markets. With my local tips in hand, you’re guaranteed to check off everyone on your gift list while soaking up Accra’s vibrant culture.

Whether you’re shopping for loved ones back home or picking up a special something for yourself, get ready to dive into Accra’s incredible shopping bounty this Christmas season!

Fashion: Where to Find the Latest Trends and Styles in Accra

From open-air markets to high-end malls, Accra serves up endless fashion inspiration. Discover where to shop for couture or find your standout style.

Accra Mall: The Modern Shopping Mall in Ghana

As one of Ghana’s largest shopping malls, Accra Mall is a premier destination for both global brands and local designers. Shop for your clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, handbags, and more from stores like Kiki Clothing, MAC Cosmetics, Vlisco, Levi’s, and beloved Ghanaian label like Nallem Clothing.

Each year, the mall puts on a fashion weekend filled with runway shows that highlight the most current and stylish clothing and accessory designs.

Tip: Located off Spintex Road near Kotoka Airport, Accra Mall stays busy on weekends. Go early in the day or on weekdays to beat the crowds. Taxis and buses regularly serve the mall or request an Uber or Bolt.

Makola Market: Shop African Prints and Fabrics

For an authentic Ghanaian shopping experience, immerse yourself in Makola Market—a labyrinth of stalls and vendors in central Accra. Here, bolts of wax print and adinkra-stamped fabrics erupt with vibrant colors and patterns.

Browse beaded slippers, richly hued kente cloth, tie-dyed shirts, and vibrant kitenge fashions. With good-natured haggling, you can score unique Ghanaian gifts and quality couture at unbeatable prices. Just be prepared to navigate tight quarters bustling with shoppers.

Tip: Kojo Thompson Road near Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park leads right to Makola Market. Open daily except Sunday, it’s busiest from late morning to early afternoon. Keep valuables secured and take a local guide if possible.

Junction Mall: Classic to Contemporary Styles

Located in the vibrant Nungua neighborhood, Junction Mall brings together beloved brands and boutiques under one roof. Discerning shoppers flock to Junction Mall for curated looks that blend timeless elegance with of-the-moment trends.

Stores like Jocent Fashion expertly pair modern silhouettes and vibrant African prints while Geeta Fashion bridges eastern and western wear. The mall also welcomes fast-fashion staples like international chain Mr. Price along with sportswear giant JET for trendy sneakers and activewear.

Tip: Keep an eye out for special events, promotions, and sales at the mall, which can enhance your shopping experience and provide opportunities to discover new trends and styles.

Art: Where to Discover and Appreciate the Creative Scene in Accra

Accra overflows with artistic talent, from contemporary galleries to neighborhoods where paint-splattered artists congregate. Here’s where to plug into the city’s vibrant creative pulse.

Artists Alliance Gallery: Showcasing Ghanaian Artistic Talent

Nestled on the breezy Labadi Beach coast, the Artists Alliance Gallery provides a tranquil space to peruse and purchase Ghanaian art spanning styles and formats.

Traditional masks and carvings mingle with abstract paintings, intricate metalwork, ceramics, photography, and more. Meet resident artists at work or admire special exhibitions in the light-filled galleries.

Founded to nurture and promote local talent, Artists Alliance also hosts regular art workshops plus seasonal concerts and events onsite. Visitors can schedule private classes with the artists through the gallery.

Tip: Find Artists Alliance Gallery on La Road near Labadi Beach Hotel. Open daily 10 AM-5 PM except Mondays. Entry is free, but consider a small donation or tour fees to support working artists.

Nubuke Foundation: Discover Contemporary Ghanaian Art

Dedicated to contemporary Ghanaian arts, the Nubuke Foundation hosts thought-provoking exhibitions focused on painting, sculpture, photography, and other media in its minimalist gallery spaces. Works spotlight rising talents and discuss complex social themes specific to Ghana.

Beyond art displays, the cultural institution’s library, garden, and fair-trade café provide welcoming areas to read, relax or chat. Visitors can also attend concerts, lectures, or hands-on art workshops in the open-air amphitheater and studios.

Tip: Located in East Legon, Nubuke Foundation is open Tuesday-Sunday. Guided visits and events may require booking in advance. Uber or taxis are recommended for transportation.

Crafts: Where to Find the Best Handmade & Souvenir Items in Accra

While scoping styles and soaking up culture, don’t leave Accra without some handcrafted keepsakes. Check out these spots for quality crafts and travel mementos.

Centre for National Culture: Shop Ghanaian Arts and Crafts

At Centre for National Culture’s sprawling flagship shop and cultural center, master artisans demonstrate traditions like glass-bead making, woodcarving, and Kente weaving while visitors browse stalls brimming with their craftwork creations.

Here, shop handmade keepsakes like drums, masks, figurines, woven baskets, and traditional board games. Ask questions about the production process and cultural significance behind specialty wares from various Ghanaian ethnic groups at the art center.

Tip: Downtown on 28th February Road near Independence Square, the center stays open daily from 8 AM-6 PM except for Sundays. Small entry and photo fees support artisan initiatives.

The Loom: Browse & Buy Contemporary Artisan Works

At this contemporary artisan gallery in the Airport Residential Area, discover fresh talent reinventing traditional crafts as cutting-edge sculpture, abstract canvases, and conceptual ceramics. Chat with the featured creators as you peruse, or commission custom furniture, textiles, and more.

Alongside patronizing budding artists, profits from The Loom’s exhibitions and retail shop directly support community arts initiatives like free workshops for at-risk youth.

Tip: Open weekdays plus Saturday mornings, getting to The Loom is easiest by Uber/Bolt or Tro-Tro bus. Contact to confirm hours and arrange group visits.

Wild Gecko Handicrafts: Museum-Quality Ghanaian Crafts

Tucked into Accra’s Airport City enclave, Wild Gecko Handicrafts brings Ghana’s incredible artistry to life through handicrafts worthy of global museum collections.

Step into their sleek showroom to discover centuries-old woodcarving traditions manifested as contemporary sculpture, hand-thrown pottery glazed with intricate Adinkra symbols, ceremonial linguist staffs reinvented as home décor and so much more.

Chat with Wild Gecko’s world-class artisans as you explore the shelves, learning about time-honored production processes they’ve mastered. With the country’s largest handicraft selection spanning furniture, musical instruments, paintings, and custom jewelry.

Tip: Many decorative objects are handcrafted from repurposed materials like scrap steel and bicycle parts. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM-5:30 PM in Airport City, Wild Gecko also operates an airport shop to help travelers bring a world-class piece of Ghanaian artistry home.

Food: Where to Taste and Buy Delicious Ghanaian Cuisine

Much more than fuel between shopping sprees, Accra’s markets and eateries let you graze regional specialties from the streetside or discover gourmet imports. Here’s where to bite into the city’s diverse food scene.

Osu Night Market: Street Food & Nightlife Hotspot

Each evening as the sun dips low, Oxford Street transforms into a vibrant wonderland of cooking fires, music, and delicious smells. What began years ago as a few food stalls feeding nightshift workers has flourished into Osu Night Market—the place to immerse in Accra’s bustling culture after dark.

Browse stalls and trucks lighting up the streets with flaming woks and smoking grills. Try staples like jollof rice, banku, and waakye, or go for skewers of juicy chicken, goat, or fish roasted to perfection. Locals flock here not just for the fresh regional fare but also for lively bars pumping hip life tunes and highlife beats.

Tip: In Osu east of the city center and active from 6 PM-12 AM daily except Sundays, come hungry and ready to join Accra’s endless nighttime soiree!

Marina Mall: Grocery & Specialty Food Shopping

Part of Accra’s Airport City development, Marina Mall offers one-stop shopping for foodie travelers. Gourmands can assemble the ultimate Ghanaian gift basket courtesy of their well-stocked grocery and liquor stores, overflowing with local chocolates, roasted coffee, and exotic spices.

The mall’s bakery tempts those with a sweet tooth while the international deli and cafés cater to cheese aficionados and coffee connoisseurs. Elegant restaurants spanning cuisines make Marina Mall a dining and entertainment destination for the entire family.

Tip: Found in Airport City near Kotoka International Airport, Marina Mall offers the easiest airport-area access to gourmet groceries and gifts.

Plan Your Accra Shopping Adventure

Now that you’re armed with an insider’s guide to Accra’s can’t-miss shops and markets, it’s time to start planning your Ghanaian retail adventure! Map out which destinations speak to you based on your interests and gift list needs.

Bookmark or share this article so you can refer to the details and directions later. Comment below to provide feedback, ask questions, or share discoveries from your own Accra shopping sprees for others to benefit from!

From fashion emporiums to open-air bazaars, Accra offers a thrilling retail journey waiting to be explored this Christmas. So what are you waiting for? I wish you happy hunting through the troves of local treasures and travel treats ahead!

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