Explore Elmina with a local guide! Discover the first European settlement in West Africa and St. George’s Castle, built by the Portuguese in 1482. Journey through centuries of history where heritage and shores meet.
Cape Coast was one of the first areas in Ghana to have formal contact with Europeans, initially for trade in gold and timber before the focus shifted to the slave trade. The town grew around the castle, influenced by Swedish, Danish, Dutch, and finally, British administration. Elmina was the site of the first European settlement in West Africa. The Portuguese built St. George's Castle (Elmina Castle) in 1482, making it the oldest European structure south of the Sahara. Cape Coast retained its importance as an educational center, earning it the nickname "the citadel of education" in Ghana. It is home to the University of Cape Coast and numerous other secondary and technical institutions. Elmina was controlled by the Portuguese, then the Dutch, and finally the British, each leaving their mark on the town's history and architecture. Elmina Castle is the oldest surviving European building in sub-Saharan Africa. Elmina is still a lively fishing town, with colorful boats filling its harbor. The daily activities of the fishermen and the bustling fish market offer a glimpse into the local culture and economy.
