Discover Elmina: Castle, Harbour and Bakatue

Elmina offers several clearly distinct themes to consider when planning a trip: the interiors and battlements of St. George’s Castle, the opposite Fort St. Jago, the fishing harbour and the Bakatue event at Benya Lagoon reported in 2026. The possible focuses therefore range from a castle tour to fishing and rituals. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Elmina, it helps to first consider which of these aspects you would like to focus on.

St. George’s Castle and Fort St. Jago

On tours of St. George’s Castle, you can visit the former warehouses and slave dungeons, chapels and the governor’s chamber. If these interiors are important to you, confirm the current availability of a tour with the operator before your visit.

From the battlements of the four-storey St. George’s Castle, you can take elevated shots of the surrounding harbours, fishing boats and nearby Fort St. Jago. This brings two distinct perspectives to the fore: the tour focuses on specific areas inside the castle, while the view from the battlements frames the surroundings.

Fort St. Jago, also known as Fort Coenraadsburg, stands on a high hill opposite St. George’s Castle in Elmina. A small Portuguese chapel dedicated to Saint Jago had previously stood on the site of the fort. The names can be distinguished as follows: St. Jago and Coenraadsburg refer to the fort; Saint Jago is the dedication of the former chapel. The fort’s position opposite the castle and the chapel on the site are two distinct historical points of reference: one describes the relationship between the buildings, the other an earlier use of the fort site.

Fishing harbour and working fisheries

Elmina’s expanded fishing harbour opened in 2023. It has a fish auction hall and areas for mending nets; these facilities are connected with working fisheries. The auction hall and net-mending areas represent different practical aspects of fishing operations: handling the catch and maintaining the nets. For an overview of Elmina, the harbour adds fishing infrastructure to the historical themes. It is therefore a distinct point of interest for travellers interested in fishing work.

The Bakatue event reported in 2026

At the Bakatue event reported in 2026, Edina’s traditional authority, led by Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, the Edinamanhen, performed rituals at Benya Lagoon. They served to lift the fishing ban in the lagoon and bring a six-week sacred period for the old fishing community to a close. As reported, the ritual connects the lagoon with the regulation of fishing and the end of this sacred period. The reference to six weeks applies to the fishing community’s sacred period.

If you are looking for a hotel in Elmina, it helps to decide in advance what you would like to focus on during your trip: Would you like to take a tour, are you mainly interested in the views, or are you drawn to fishing work and the Bakatue event? This can help you assess how well the destination’s focus matches your own interests. For accommodation, compare the details of each hotel offer with your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Agona Swedru, Winneba, Mankessim, Apam, Ajumako, Assin Manso, Saltpond, Buduburam

For the broader travel overview: Central Region.