Things To Do
in Prestea
Prestea is a mining town in the Western Region of Ghana with a rich gold mining heritage and a resilient community. The town sits amid green hills and forested surroundings, giving visitors a sense of rural Ghana. It serves as a gateway to the wider Prestea-Huni Valley area, blending industrial history with local culture.
Visitors come for vibrant markets, friendly locals, and close-by nature experiences that reveal the region's mining-driven past and agricultural present.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive in Prestea and settle into your accommodation, soaking in the view of the lush landscape surrounding the town. Enjoy a traditional Ghanaian breakfast, featuring banku or kelewele, as you get acquainted with local customs and cuisine. Take a stroll around your accommodation to familiarize yourself with the area and meet some of the friendly locals.
Visit the nearby Prestea Gold Mine, one of the oldest in the country, where you can learn about gold mining operations and the town's historical significance. Engage with a knowledgeable guide who can share fascinating stories about the mine's past and its effects on the local economy. Capture stunning photographs of the surrounding scenery and mining facilities.
Savor dinner at a local eatery, indulging in delicious dishes such as jollof rice and grilled tilapia. Enjoy live music or cultural performances that showcase the rich heritage of the region. Wind down by mingling with locals and fellow travelers, exchanging stories of your day.
Start your day with a visit to a local market, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and purchase fresh produce and handmade crafts. Interact with the vendors and learn about their day-to-day lives, experiencing a slice of local life. Enjoy a hearty breakfast, trying a local specialty like porridge made from millet or corn.
Take part in a cultural workshop where you can learn traditional Ghanaian crafts like bead-making or batik art. Participating in these activities gives you a deeper understanding of the local heritage and allows you to create your own unique souvenir to take home. Meet other participants, bonding over your shared experiences.
Enjoy a sunset walk through the scenic hills surrounding Prestea, marveling at the beauty of the landscape as the sun dips below the horizon. As evening falls, unwind with a quiet dinner at your accommodation, sampling some local specialties. Engage in conversation with your hosts about their culture, enhancing your travel experience.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $5-8 |
| 🚕Local transport (taxis/tro-tro) | $1-3 |
| 🛏️Budget hotel per night | $20-40 |
| 🥤Bottle of water or soft drink | $0.50-1 |
| 🛍️Souvenirs/market shopping | $5-20 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Rich mining and colonial-era heritage
- Warm, welcoming communities and vibrant markets
- Affordable, compact town with easy access to nature
- Limited upscale dining options
- Transport links to remote areas can be irregular
- Infrastructure and road conditions can be challenging in the rainy season
- "Agoo" - Hello
- "Meda wo ase" - Thank you
- "Ɛte sɛn?" - How are you?
- "Me din de [name]." - My name is [name].
- "Mepa wo kyεw" - Please / Excuse me
Places to Visit in Prestea
Visit one of these nice places.
Elevated vantage points offer sweeping views of Prestea’s townscape and surrounding green hills, especially at sunrise.
Colorful stalls, locals in motion, and the daily rhythm provide vibrant photo opportunities.
Remnants of old mining structures set against lush forest backdrop create moody, documentary shots.
Food in Prestea
Prestea Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Fermented maize and cassava dough served with grilled tilapia and pepper sauce; common at riverside eateries and local chop bars.
Must-Try!
Pounded cassava and plantain dumplings served with a flavorful tomato-based light soup; widely available at traditional eateries.
Spiced fried plantain, a popular street snack enjoyed with a cool drink.
Fermented corn dough steamed in leaves, served with fried fish and shito pepper sauce.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Bustling daily market where you can try waakye, fried plantains, grilled fish, and other fresh local foods.
A network of small stalls around the town where you can sample quick meals and local snacks.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Greet with a smile and a handshake; addressing elders with respect is important. Use local phrases like 'Agoo' to get attention.
Dress modestly, especially in markets. Always ask before photographing people or private spaces.
Respect local religious practices and traditional ceremonies; avoid discussing mining politics in sensitive contexts.
Safety
Tipping in Prestea
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In restaurants, round up the bill or leave 5–10% if service was good. Small tips for guides or porters are common.
Cash (GHS) is widely used in town; mobile money (MTN, AirtelTigo) is common for smaller payments. Card payments may be accepted at some larger venues or hotels, but are not universal.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Hot days with cooler evenings; harmattan winds can reduce humidity. Great for outdoor walks and hill climbs; carry water and sun protection.
Frequent rain showers and high humidity; trails can be muddy. Plan flexible outdoor activities and expect lush greenery.
Prestea at Night
Hiking in Prestea
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Gentle to moderate hiking routes with viewpoints over the surrounding countryside and forested areas.
Scenic farm tracks through cacao plantations offering insights into rural Ghanaian farming life.
Airports
How to reach Prestea by plane.
Ghana's main international gateway in Accra; travelers often connect domestically or use a road trip to reach the Western Region.
Regional airport serving the Western Region with domestic flights; convenient for reaching Prestea by road from Sekondi-Takoradi.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Majority local population with significant migrant workers from other parts of Ghana. Religious groups include Christianity, Islam, and traditional beliefs.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport in the region; local clubs and street games are common throughout towns like Prestea.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Prestea.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Most dishes can be prepared without meat; ask for vegetables, beans, or lentil stews, and request no meat stock or fish stock.