Things To Do
in Lagos
Lagos is Nigeria's largest city and economic engine — a sprawling, fast-moving metropolis on the Atlantic coast that blends traditional Yoruba culture with modern commerce and creative energy. The city is made of crowded islands and a busy mainland connected by bridges, with a lively coastline of beaches, markets, and new waterfront developments. Lagos pulses with music, street life, bustling markets, and a booming restaurant and nightlife scene.
While it offers tremendous opportunities for culture, food, and urban exploration, visitors should plan for heavy traffic, humidity, and basic-safety precautions.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive at Murtala Muhammed International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Ikoyi. Settle in and meet your local guide for a briefing on Lagos’s dynamic history. Take in the city skyline and the warm coastal breeze as you adjust to local time.
Enjoy your first Nigerian meal at a popular Buka restaurant, savoring jollof rice, plantains, and suya. Head to the Nike Art Gallery to admire vibrant Yoruba paintings, sculptures, and textiles. Chat with resident artists to learn about traditional techniques and inspirations.
Relax at Tarkwa Bay Beach as the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean. Dine at a stylish rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of Third Mainland Bridge. Experience the rhythmic energy of live Afrobeat music at a nearby lounge.
Start with a boat ride to Lagos Island, watching fishermen haul in their morning catch. Tour the Lagos Island market, sampling roasted corn and coconut water from local vendors. Admire colonial architecture at the Old Secretariat building before crowds gather.
Visit the National Museum to explore Nigeria’s archaeological treasures and royal regalia. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the lush surroundings of the museum grounds under towering palm trees. Learn about Benin bronze artifacts and Nok terracotta sculptures from knowledgeable curators.
Stroll through Idumota Market as dusk settles, observing the vibrant trade of fabrics and fresh produce. Taste local snacks like puff-puff and akara from street stalls. Watch a cultural performance at Freedom Park to immerse yourself in Lagos’s artistic spirit.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $3-8 |
| ☕Coffee (regular cafe) | $2-4 |
| 🚕Short taxi/ride-hailing trip | $2-6 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $50-120 |
| 🎟️Entrance to a cultural attraction / museum | $2-10 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Vibrant cultural scene, music and creative industries
- Excellent and diverse local food and street food
- Beaches and coastal activities close to the city
- Relatively affordable daily costs compared with many global cities
- Heavy traffic and long transit times
- Petty crime and safety concerns in some areas
- High humidity, heat and seasonal heavy rains
- Occasional infrastructure issues (power outages, flooding)
- "Bawo ni?" - How are you? (Yoruba)
- "E kaaro" - Good morning (Yoruba)
- "E se" - Thank you (Yoruba)
- "How much?" - How much? / 'How much be this?' (Nigerian Pidgin)
- "No wahala" - No problem / it's okay (Nigerian Pidgin)
- "Jọ̀wọ́" - Please (Yoruba)
Places to Visit in Lagos
Visit one of these nice places.
An architecturally striking cable-stayed bridge with clean lines and evening illumination — great for skyline and sunset shots.
Mangrove boardwalks and a canopy walkway set in a protected green space — good for nature, birds and panoramic treetop photos.
A sheltered bay reachable by boat with softer crowds, colorful fishing boats, and relaxed beach scenes ideal for lifestyle and travel images.
A dense, colorful market full of fabrics, piles of goods, and energetic bargaining scenes — excellent for street and documentary photography (ask permission).
Vibrant textiles, sculptures and paintings provide rich indoor subject matter and opportunities to meet artists and craftsmen.
A reclaimed colonial prison turned cultural venue with atmospheric architecture, sculptures and frequent performances — good for cultural portraits.
The new waterfront development and skyline views are photogenic, especially at dusk when lights reflect on the water.
Food in Lagos
Lagos Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A tomato-based one-pot rice dish seasoned with peppers and spices; try it at street vendors, local restaurants, or as a staple at celebrations.
Must-Try!
Spicy, skewered, grilled beef or chicken seasoned with ground peanuts and peppers — best from roadside grills in the evening.
A smooth, dough-like yam accompaniment with a rich melon-seed and vegetable soup often served with meat or fish; available at local eateries and family-style restaurants.
A light, intensely spiced broth with fish, goat, or chicken — warming and commonly eaten as a starter or remedy for jet lag and colds.
Akara are fried bean cakes and Moi Moi is steamed bean pudding — popular breakfast or snack items sold by street vendors and markets.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
A sprawling textile and general goods market on Lagos Island — great for street food bites, fabrics, and people-watching, but expect crowds and haggle.
A major produce market where you can find fresh fruits, vegetables, and local staples; ideal for sampling fresh produce and prepared snacks.
Crafts, art, and souvenirs with nearby stalls selling snacks, fresh juices, and grilled items; popular with tourists and creatives.
Evening street grills and suya stands along busy roads on Victoria Island and Lekki serve some of the city's best late-night bites.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Polite greetings matter — a handshake and a short greeting in Yoruba (if possible) or Pidgin is appreciated. Show respect to elders and authority figures.
Offer and receive items with your right hand as a sign of courtesy when in more traditional settings.
Always ask permission before photographing people, particularly in markets, religious settings, or private compounds; some cultural events may restrict photography.
Dress conservatively when visiting religious sites or more traditional neighborhoods; casual wear is fine in nightlife and tourist areas.
Be cautious discussing religion, ethnicity, or politics — these can be sensitive subjects in conversation with strangers.
Safety
Tipping in Lagos
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not always mandatory. In restaurants, 5–10% is common if service isn't included. Tip hotel porters (a small amount) and guides; round up taxi fares or give small notes to drivers for good service.
Cash (Nigerian Naira) is widely used, especially in markets and small vendors. Major hotels, restaurants and shops accept cards and POS payments; mobile banking, USSD and payment apps are increasingly common. Carry small notes for street purchases and taxis, and be prepared for occasional POS or ATM outages.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Expect frequent heavy rains, especially from June to September — short, intense downpours can cause flooding and slow travel. Carry a rain jacket, waterproof bag for electronics, and plan extra transit time.
Cooler mornings and evenings with dry, dusty harmattan winds that reduce visibility and may irritate eyes and lungs — bring moisturizer and a light scarf; air quality can be worse.
Periods of high humidity and heat that can feel oppressive; carry water, sun protection, and plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon.
Lagos at Night
Hiking in Lagos
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
About 1–2 hours from Lagos by car, Olumo Rock offers a climb with steps and viewpoints over Abeokuta and scenic cultural sites; accessible as a day trip.
A longer trip (several hours) to Ondo State featuring dramatic rock formations, stair climbs and historical sites — best as an overnight excursion.
A multi-tiered waterfall with forested trails and refreshing pools located several hours inland; combines light hiking with a nature swim.
Airports
How to reach Lagos by plane.
Lagos's main international and domestic airport located in Ikeja — serves most international flights and domestic connections. Transit time to central districts varies greatly depending on traffic (30–90+ minutes).
A smaller regional airport in Ibadan, roughly 1.5–3 hours by road depending on traffic — an option for some domestic connections.
A regional airport farther away (several hours' drive) serving parts of Ondo state — useful if combining Lagos travel with inland destinations.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The dominant indigenous ethnic group in Lagos with deep cultural influence on language, festivals, cuisine and customs.
Lagos is a melting pot drawing people from across Nigeria — Igbo, Hausa, and many other ethnic groups contribute to commerce, cuisine and daily life.
A sizable expatriate community working in business, oil, tech and NGOs concentrated in Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki.
A large young population drives the city's music, fashion, tech startups and creative industries.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport — local clubs, stadium matches and street football are central to Lagos culture. Support for national and local teams is passionate.
Growing in popularity, with organized leagues, school programs and increasing grassroots interest.
Informal beach football, volleyball and water-related recreation are common on Lagos' beaches.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Lagos.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options exist (stews without meat, vegetable soups with pounded yam, akara, moi moi). Ask vendors to omit fish or meat stocks; larger restaurants can usually accommodate requests.
More limited but possible — choose rice dishes, plant-based stews, beans, and vegetable sides; confirm the use of palm oil or fish stock.
Staples like rice, yams, garri (cassava flakes), and many stews are naturally gluten-free, but verify processed snacks and sauces for wheat additives.
Use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth; avoid uncooked salads from street vendors if you have a sensitive stomach. Eat at busy stalls where turnover is high.