Lagos
As the biggest city in Nigeria it is safe to say that Lagos is pretty big. Over 20 million locals are waiting to share the nearby natural wonders with you.
What you need to know about Lagos
Language: English is the national language of Nigeria and it is spoken throughout Lagos.
Currency: Nigerian Naira.
Banking: ATMs can be found in the city, especially in modern developments, malls and hotels. Definitely arrive with some Naira in hand just in case you need it though. Also alert your bank you are planning to travel to Nigeria ahead of your trip.
Weather: The weather in Lagos is pretty darn hot in the summer time and never really gets too cold even in the less warm months. Bring sunscreen to be sure of no unsightly burns.
Once Nigeria’s capital and now its economic and cultural centre, Lagos is a vibrant city with an exploding art and music scene, nightlife that will keep you up until the early hours, hectic traffic, noise and pollution. An exciting metropolis, Lagos stretches from the Gulf of Guinea all the way across Lagos Lagoon and offers plenty of activities and attractions. Look further than the noise and bustle and you’ll find a charming array of dining and entertainment options that encompass music and art in glorious abundance.
The undeniable heart of the country, Lagos is usually the place visitors arrive in before exploring Nigeria. Stay awhile to find out what makes it so unique.
Best time to visit: Visit in the summer, particularly in June and August. July is the hottest month of the year.
Best Area for Sightseeing: For some inspiration on activities and attractions, see Things to do in Lagos below.
Shopping in Lagos: The city’s markets offer great shopping options. Lekki Market specializes in handicrafts while Balogun Market sells everything imaginable. If you want to pick up spices, visit the Law School Market, which offers seafood, veg and a variety of spices to take home with you.
Food & Restaurants in Lagos: Enjoy a culinary adventure when you sample traditional dishes. You can, of course, also enjoy global dishes and fast food. You can find some great places to eat around Victoria Island.
Nightlife: For a local taste of nightlife, head for the New Afrika Shrine. You’ll also find plenty of bars and clubs.
Beaches: Lagos boasts some beautiful beaches, including Alpha, Akodo, Eleko and Lekki in the east and Agaja Beach, Atlas Cover, Badagry Beach, Ilashe Beach and Lighthouse Beach in the west. Just outside the city are more beaches. There’s also Tarkwa Bay, a man-made bay with a beach created at the same time as Lagos Harbor, which you reach by boat from Tarzan Jetty at Maroko. The closest beach to downtown is Oniru Private Beach.
Things to do in Lagos:
- Go surfing at Tarkwa Bay Beach.
- Relax at Freedom Park or enjoy a live music performance there.
- Visit OYASAF, a gallery boasting the largest private art collection in the country.
- Explore Nike Art Gallery for a true taste of Nigerian culture.
- Spend time at the Kalakuta Republic Museum that honors Nigerian musician and icon, Fela Kuti.
- Discover the Lekki Conservation Centre on the Lekki Peninsula, unique wetlands that are viewed on raised walkways.
Best way to get around: Hire a car or a driver to explore if you can afford it. Having wheels is definitely the only way to get around as a tourist, and given how crazy the traffic can get, it is advisable to have someone doing it for you. Also plan your itinerary to avoid the main commuter roads during rush hours... you will be thankful that you follow that advice once you see the tailbacks of traffic that you avoided!
Explore local Lagos by boat at Makoko Floating Village
It is safe to say that traffic in Lagos is some of the most chaotic and intense in Africa. If you hit the wrong roads at rush hour then you can end up jammed up for a good long while. A way to get around and see some of the sights of the city is by taking a boat tour of Makoko Floating Village.
It is a little Nigerian gem that is as close as you will get to Venice and its canals while in Africa. Taking a guided tour for a couple of hours will allow you to see where over 100,000 locals live and some of their most important buildings including churches, schools and perhaps even the Baale's House which is the residence of the 'Chief' in the area.
You can also check out some great local delicacies if your guide can take you somewhere suitable to chow down on some freshly caught fish which is delicious!
Nigerian nature can be seen in Lekki
Heading to the Victoria Island and Lagos Island area to the South of the city will get you off the mainland and onto the more affluent areas of the city. It will also bring you closer to some of the natural sites that you can take a look around to get a sense of some natural life in contrast to the frenetic mainland area.
The Lekki Conservation Centre comprises a mammoth 78 hectares of conservation land. Here you can see wildlife in the natural habitats and mango swamps, making it a pretty fun place to spend some time for anyone interested in conservation.
There is also a family park that you can unwind in making it a great place to take the family while in Lagos. It also makes a nice setting to stop for lunch, a picnic and generally is just an inviting space.
Everything is yellow in Lagos including the distinctive tuk tuk style taxis that are everywhere.
Nigerian art on show
The National Museum in Nigeria can be found in Lagos. It has a nice collection of distinctive artwork in a local style and rightly celebrates the cultures that make up Nigeria's rich tribal, colonial and contemporary history.
A main attraction is the terracotta head from the Nok culture (Iron Age culture famed for terracotta sculpture) known as the Jemma Head. There is for sure no better place to learn about the history of Nigeria and you are guaranteed to come away both fascinated and educated on what makes the country what it is nowadays.
A feeling of freedom in the air
Visit Freedom Park to sample some relaxing vibes and potentially some excellent music. The park is a contemporary area that highlights important matters from yesteryear, including a celebration of Nigeria's independence. This is especially poignant as the project was developed for the 50th anniversary of the country's independence. There are often social events happening in the area so check it out and see if you can find something fun, but even if there is nothing formal on any given day, you can still enjoy a park with a really nice vibe. It is open to the public every day.