Accra's car museum is a surprise for visitors who expect only history and markets. The Despite Automobile Museum stands on Cotton Street in East Legon and was founded by the Ghanaian businessman Osei Kwame Despite. It brings together more than 60 classic and rare cars, among them a Bugatti Chiron, a Ford Thunderbird and a Rolls-Royce Corniche, arranged for walking and photographing. The museum opens during the day and asks visitors to book tickets in advance. A guided half-day product on the booking page pairs the car museum with an optional visit to the Kwame Nkrumah museum, which gives the outing both glamour and history and fills an afternoon in the east of the city.
What you will see
The collection is the point, and the cars range from vintage classics to modern supercars. Allow an hour or so to move through, longer if you are a motoring enthusiast who reads every plaque. Photography is a big part of the appeal, though it is worth asking about the museum's camera rules when you book. The mix of old and new makes it a good family stop, since children who find colonial history heavy tend to enjoy a gleaming Bugatti.
How the tour works
The experience on the booking page is a short half-day visit rather than a full-day tour, and it is typically sold with the museum as the main stop and the Kwame Nkrumah museum as an optional add-on. That second stop is useful if you did not plan an independence trail of your own, though if you have already seen the memorial park, you may prefer the car museum alone. Ask the operator about pickup, whether tickets are included and how long you will have at each place.
Planning
East Legon is on the northeast side of Accra, away from the Ridge and Osu, so allow for traffic when you plan the day. The museum asks for advance booking, so do not turn up unannounced. It is a good wet-weather or heat-of-the-day option, and it pairs well with a late lunch in the neighbourhood. If you are travelling with teenagers, a morning of cars and an afternoon at the beach in Labadi makes an easy, varied day. Check opening hours with the operator or the museum before you travel, as they can change.
Making a day of it
East Legon has plenty of cafes and restaurants within a short drive, so the museum can be paired with a relaxed lunch before heading back towards the centre. If you are interested in design, look at how the cars changed over the decades, from the upright shapes of the early models to the low, wide lines of the modern supercars. Photographers should plan their shots early, before the museum gets busy, and a short chat with a member of staff will usually tell you which cars are the most popular with visitors.
The museum suits a rainy-season afternoon or a hot midday as much as a fine morning, so it is a useful fallback when plans for the beach or a hike fall through. Teenagers who are bored by history often warm to a collection like this, and adults who know little about cars still enjoy the craftsmanship and the stories behind the more famous models.
What to expect
The experience
A visit to a private car museum with an optional second stop at the Kwame Nkrumah museum.
Best time
Any time in the museum's daytime hours, and a good choice in the midday heat or in the rain.
How long
About two to three hours including the optional second stop.
Tips
Book ahead because the museum asks for advance tickets, allow for East Legon traffic and bring a camera.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Car lovers and anyone who wants a polished indoor outing.
- Families
- Very good for children and teenagers who like cars.
- Couples
- A different, light-hearted stop between heritage days.
- Pair with
- Labadi Beach or Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
- Time needed
- Half a day at most.
Good questions
Where is the Despite Automobile Museum?+
It is at 200 Cotton Street in East Legon, in the northeast of Accra.
What cars are on display?+
More than 60 classic and rare cars, including a Bugatti Chiron, a Ford Thunderbird and a Rolls-Royce Corniche.
Do I need to book ahead?+
Yes, the museum asks visitors to book tickets in advance.
What are the opening hours?+
The museum opens during the day, roughly from morning to early evening. Check before you go as hours can change.
Can I combine it with another sight?+
The booking page pairs it with an optional visit to the Kwame Nkrumah museum.
