Northern Region · Ghana
Where to stay in Tamale
Tamale is a city in Northern Region, Ghana, home to about 730,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- TML16 km · Yakubu Tali International Airport
- Currency
- GHSGhana cedi
- Time zone
- Africa/Accra
- Language
- English
About
About Tamale
Tamale is the capital city of the Northern Region of Ghana. It is Ghana's third largest city, with a population of 374,744 people (185,051 males and 189,693 females) as of the 2021 population census).
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Tamale
See
Good point from which to visit Bongo (Moon Landscape) Tongo and Congo or if heading to Burkina Faso (neighboring country). Visit the Paga crocodile pond and all the slave camps near Paga. Also visit Sirigu Art Village to learn about all the arts and craft of the northern people of Ghana. It is possible to do a day trip from Tamale to Mole National Park, where you can see elephants, warthogs, several types of monkeys, and other animals. You can book a tour from Tamale township or Tamale Airport, and cost approximately $130 per day plus fuel. There are also several places to stay in Mole. Near Mole National Park, you can visit the Larabanga mosque, the oldest in Ghana.
- Red Clay
- Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art
- Nkrumah Voli-ni
- Ahmadiyya Central Mosque
- Ambariya Sunni Community
- Masjid Bayaan Institute
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Tamale to stay in
There is no shortage of accommodation options in Tamale. Because of the ubiquity and affordability of yellow-yellows, even accommodation options far away from the centre of town should be considered, but it does help to choose one close to a main road.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Tamale
3 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Arewa Sunshine Hotel | 3.6 km | |
| Jeyads Lodge | 4.5 km | |
| Modern City Hotel | 3.6 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Tamale
Tamale has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. March is the warmest month, with average highs of 38 °C; September is the wettest, with about 229 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Tamale: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Yakubu Tali International Airport (TML), about 16 km from the city centre in a straight line.
Getting around
Yellow-yellows (motorised cycle rickshaws) are ubiquitous, and for a shared ride you can get from "town" (the centre) to anywhere in Tamale for GH₵6 or less. If you're new to the system, confirm the price before getting in. Make sure you tell the driver that you want a shared ride, otherwise prices will skyrocket. You can also take the red-and-yellow branded taxis.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
TML · Yakubu Tali International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Tamale
Eat
Koose is a local snack made from deep fried bean flour dough which can be bought just off the main street across from the taxi station. Note that there is a risk of food poisoning from roadside food stalls. As always, make sure the food you buy is hot.This local snack compliments with Koko for breakfast. It is prepared using millet and natural spices such as cloves,dried chillies,selim,black pepper and ginger.Best served hot. There are a few western-style restaurants on the main street.
Drink
Gidipass bar on Main Street, across and down a little from taxi rank where all the 'whites' and a few locals go. Has a few types of beer and sodas. Also serve good meals. Other small bars located around the main area (taxi rank and market) Meet Me There Drinking spot is a few kilometres north along the main road towards Bolgatanga (called Bolga Road). Set in a tall canopy of palm and date trees, drinks are at cost or below (meaning GH₵0.25 for a mineral/pop bottle), whereas at Gidipass or other tourist centres, they cost GH₵0.60 or more. You can pick up some food from the street, and they'll bring you dishes to eat with and soap to wash with! Don't get too comfortable though.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Tamale: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Tamale?
Tamale has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. March is the warmest month, with average highs of 38 °C; September is the wettest, with about 229 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Tamale?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Yakubu Tali International Airport (TML), about 16 km from the city centre in a straight line.
What currency is used in Tamale?
Ghana cedi (GHS).
Nearby
Destinations near Tamale
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.