Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria and the African continent, spreading out across two main islands and onto the mainland. Lagos is a major financial centre for all of Africa and is the economic hub of Nigeria. The mega-city has the fourth-highest GDP in Africa and houses one of the largest and busiest seaports on the continent. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It is the country’s financial capital, and is famous throughout Africa for its music scene. Lagos has a vibrant nightlife, and is the centre of the Nigerian movie industry, often referred to as ‘Nollywood’.
The city of Lagos lies in south-western Nigeria, on the Atlantic coast in the Gulf of Guinea, west of the Niger River delta, located on longitude 3° 24′ E and latitude 6° 27′ N. Most of the population live on the mainland, and most industries are located there too. Lagos is known for its music and night life which used to be in areas around Yaba and Surulere, but more night clubs have sprung on the island making the island especially Victoria Island, the main nightlife attraction.
Nigeria is known as “The Giant of Africa”, a vastly varied country endowed with tremendous natural resources, tourist sites, and warm weather. There are several sights and cultural features that will take your breath away. Nigeria is a beautiful country full of magnificent natural beauties. Whether it’s a mountain range, beach, tropical rainforest, city skyline, or desert, the local landscape will make butterflies dance wildly in your stomach. As a consequence, make sure your phone and camera have enough free space. It’ll come in handy for photographing some of the most stunning views
Lagos is without a doubt Nigeria’s largest metropolis, with beautiful sites, interesting activities, great cuisine, and café culture. This city never sleeps, with a vibrant nightlife, a variety of natural monuments, local and foreign food, and a raucous and globally recognised entertainment scene. .Lagos Beach is the perfect spot to get away from never-ending job problems, business meetings, family matters, and domestic duties. Enjoy excellent views of areas filled with peace and quiet while being treated to wonderful cuisine, gorgeous sights, and services. There are great locations to stay, such as ‘lekki garden,’ where you may enjoy the peaceful and quiet environment while also being absorbed in their gorgeous surroundings.
Passion and Love: Rekindled
Lagos is your best bet whether you’re thinking of proposing to your loved one, renewing your wedding vows, or looking for a beautiful spot to spend your honeymoon; the city is truly charming. Enjoy a romantic meal with your beloved, a romantic excursion for two to a performance, or a romantic walk by the seashores with your lover. The city is the greatest place to keep the flame in your romance alive.
You Can Shop Until You Drop
On Lagos’ busy maze of twisting alleyways, the blend of Arab, African, and European culture and architecture creates a magnificent sight. There are numerous places where you may acquire great goods for a fraction of the cost, such as jewellery, clothes, crafts, home décor, and souvenirs. Because they are made of beads and leather, Lagos sandals are well-known and beautiful.
The ordinary Nigerian was born with a sense of flair and originality, so you don’t need to come too close to a catwalk to see this for yourself. These gifts, however, are also reflected in the Nigerian fashion sector, which is exploding throughout the world with its original designs. If you want to update the international part of your wardrobe with the latest African styles, you’re in the right place.
The Vibrant Music Scene
Nigeria’s music and entertainment sector are probably one of the most interesting aspects of the country. The number of musicians, both past and current, who continue to improve the country’s global image through Afrobeat, Highlife, and Afropop music is limitless. You might be able to catch some of them in the clubs if you’re lucky. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself doing dancing movements to them that you didn’t realise you possessed. You’ll be fortunate in any case.
Coastal luxury lodgings
Visitors may enjoy their holiday by staying in one of Lagos’ coastal accommodations, which have large luxury beach resorts only steps from the beaches. The exquisite combination of sultan magnificence and simplicity will captivate you in Lagos’ seaside districts. You may spend your vacation resting on the beach, surfing, sipping drinks by the pool, participating in water sports, or wandering along the beach. The seaside accommodations provide unrivalled facilities and services such as a swimming pool, a resort spa, luxury leisure, and exquisite dining.
Distinct and Unique Cuisine
Visiting Lagos will provide you with the opportunity to sample some of the most delectable cuisines you can imagine. In terms of cuisine variety, Nigeria is one of the finest African nations to visit. Banga and starch, ogbono-soup, pepper-soup, African salad (jakwu, abacha), ukwa, jollof-rice, porridge-yam, ewedu, egusi, and efo-riro are all popular local meals. The food represents a harmonious blend of Arab, European, and African cultures. If you appreciate sampling new meals, especially those from various cultures, you will enjoy a taste of the wonderful Lagos dishes. The meals have some really distinct spices and flavors that you will undoubtedly appreciate.
Geography
The Island is a loose geographical term that is used to define the area of Lagos that is separated from the “mainland” by the main channel draining the lagoon into the Atlantic Ocean, which forms Lagos Harbour. The Island is mainly a collection of islands that are separated from each other by creeks of varying sizes and are connected together by bridges. Lagos Island contains a central business district. This district is characterized by high-rise buildings. The island also contains many of the city’s largest wholesale marketplaces (such as the popular Idumota and Balogun Markets).
Climate
Lagos experiences a tropical Savannah climate, as there’s a significant precipitation difference between the wet season and the dry season. The wet season starts in April and ends in October, while the dry season starts in November and ends in March. The wettest month is June with precipitation total 315.5 millimetres (12.42 in), while the driest month is January with precipitation total 13.2 millimetres (0.52 in). Located near the equator, Lagos has only a slight seasonal temperature variation, with high temperatures ranging 28.3–32.9 °C (82.9–91.2 °F).
Getting In
- By Plane; Murtala Muhammed International Airport; You can fly in from most European cities (Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, and Paris); from Abu Dhabi, Addis Ababa, Beirut, Cairo, Casablanca, Doha, Douala, Dubai, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Kigali, Libreville, Luanda, Malabo, Nairobi, Sharjah. There are also direct flights from the United States (Atlanta and New York City) with Delta Airlines. There are also flights to Lagos from most major cities in West Africa
- By Train; Rail services in Nigeria are still very slow and unreliable. Nigerian Railway Corporation have daily services from Ilorin via Ibadan, and an overnight service from Kano via Kaduna a few times per week. A high speed railway connects Abuja to Kaduna.
- By Bus; Several bus companies like Agofure God Is Good Motors, ABC Transport, Ifesinachi and The Young Shall Grow offer daily services from almost all major cities around the country as well as international destinations in West Africa.
Getting Around
If traveling around Lagos, be sure to be accompanied by a tourist guide who is familiar with the routes. In Lagos, there are street signs on every single street corner making it easy to locate places and landmarks. With the city spending huge budgets on security, there has been a huge reduction in crime generally. For the most part, it’s safe to move about during the day. If you are going out at night, be sure to go in groups, and stick to known routes.
Attractions (What to See)
It is said that Lagos is for tourists like England is for food; bland and boring. It’s a stereotype and not really true, but you have to put the effort in to see Lagos. There are also lots of markets to see, although doing so can be very tiring. They are usually safe during the day.
- Badagry Town; The ancient slave port of Badagry, also known as the ‘Point of No Return’. This ancient town of Badagry was founded around 1425. Before its existence, people lived along the Coast of Gberefu and this area later gave birth to the town of Badagry. It is the second largest commercial town in Lagos State. It is an hour from Lagos and a half-hour from the Republic of Benin.
- Cathedral Church of Christ (On Lagos island, at corner of Marina Rd and Odunlami St); The oldest Anglican cathedral in the Church of Nigeria, with the foundation stone laid in 1867. However it was not completed until 1946.
- Shitta-Bey Mosque, Martin St; A mosque and religious learning centre, it is one of the oldest mosques in Nigeria. The current building dates back to 1891.
- National Theatre, Mainland, Iganmu-Surulere; Located on the mainland at Iganmu, it is about a half-hour drive from Lagos Island. Built in 1977 as the principal forum for the International Festival of Black Arts and Culture, it has now become accepted as the prime center for performing arts in the country. The main auditorium has the capacity to seat around 3,000 persons and the conference hall can accommodate around 700 people. The building also houses two cinema halls, a restaurant and a bar.
- National Museum of Nigeria, Awolowo Rd (on Lagos Island, opposite Muson Centre); The Museum Kitchen is open on weekdays and is a good place to try local Nigerian cuisine.
- Visit Freedom Park on Broad street; This park was a prison yard where those who fought for Nigeria’s independence were incarcerated. The park designers maintained the original design of the prison walls.
- Lekki Conservation Centre; It is really good for relaxation, its a dense park with a few animals and birds, there are walkways and benches to rest on.
Beaches
There are over a dozen beaches in Lagos, making for a wide array to choose from. More beaches are found outside the city, in places like Badagry. Good for picnics and barbecues. Inside the city, Lekki is about as good as it gets.
- Lagos Bar Beach, Ahmodu Bello Way, Victoria Island; This beach is named after the sand bars that characterize the coastline of Lagos, not because of the myriad of bars that run along the beach itself. Very popular among beach goers, it is the main inner city beach, as the other beaches provide more of a “get away” from the city. (These include Lekki, Alpha, Eleko, Akodo beaches to the east, and Tarkwa Bay, Ogogoro Island, Atlas Cove, Lighthouse beach, Ilashe Beach, Agaja Beach and Badagry beach to the west.)
- Tarkwa Bay; A man-made bay and beach created during the formation of the Lagos harbour, sheltered within the harbour breakwater. The beach is a pleasant outing and has safe bathing even for children. It has its own resident community, most of whom make their living from the tourists who visit the beach. The beach is good for a one-day picnic because of the absence of hotels and restaurants on it. You can buy good paintings and handicrafts from the local vendors on the beach. There’s also the possibility to surf in a corner of Tarkwa Bay. Other water sports such as jet-skiing and water-skiing are fairly common.
- Lighthouse Beach (beside Tarkwa Bay); Named after the 110-year-old lighthouse that guards the entrance to Lagos harbour. The Lighthouse can just be seen from the beach, and is well worth a visit as well. The walk along the beach between Tarkwa Bay and Lighthouse Beach is very pleasant, and at times one can be the only person on the beach. You can watch the many ships queuing up to enter the port on the nearby horizon.
- Eko Tourist Resort (Akodo Beach), 22 km, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Ibeju, Lekki LGA, Akodo; This place is at least a 40 minute drive from Lagos. The resort has chalets, restaurants, and a large conference hall on 10 acres, with more than a half a mile of clean beach.
- Suntan Beach. in Badagry West, 15 minutes ride from the Badagry round-about. A good place for picnic and holiday.
- Eleko Beach (56 km, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Turn right just past Total service station, proceed to toll gate,it is in the road with amen estate, turn left follow road to Rainbow Church sign,i turn right onto dirt road. Eleko beach is at end of road.).
- Lekki Beach (turn right at round-about just past estate (about 9 km), Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki).
- Elegushi. Elegushi Private Beach, Ikate, Lekki.
Where to Stay (Accommodation)
Lagos has some great hotels and many more are being built. There are many 4 star hotels for the price of a 3 star hotel. Try to get a hotel on Victoria Island.
Budget:
- The Stone House Admiralty Lekki Phase I.
- Peerage Retreat & Resort Ltd, Victoria Island.
- Embassy court hotel & suites,15a Admiralty way Lekki phase 1
Mid-Range;
- Hotel 1960, 23 Olufunmilayo Okikiolu Street, Off Toyin Street, Ikeja. Executive and Royal rooms, all equipped with Air-conditioning, LCD TV and Telephone. Facilities and services are Restaurant, bar, garden and Conference hall.
- WoodRidge Hotel, 2Plot 1/3 Lambert Imasuen Drive Ajao Estate. All rooms equipped and included with Air-conditioning, TV with cable channels, Wi-Fi Internet access and Buffet breakfast. Some of its facilities and services are Restaurant, Bar, Swimming pool, Fitness room/ gym Airport pick-up and Shuttle service.
- Eagles Park 1960, 7 Obokun Close Off Johnson Street, Off Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Executive and Royal Rooms, all equipped with Air-conditioning, LCD TV and Telephone. Facilities and services are Functions rooms, Restaurant, bar and garden.
- Lekki Inn, 911 Ken Uba Close, Lekki Peninsula, Caters mostly to executives from oil companies, banks, etc. Two fully-furnished chalets onsite can be rented for longer-term stays. Food is excellent, typically African or Continental cuisines. The rooms all have marble flooring, so you don’t get the “wet” and “moldy” feel some of the other hotels have. The only downside is that there are just 12 rooms, albeit all large and luxurious, so you don’t get to socialize too much onsite. Victoria Island with its bars and clubs is a 20-min drive away, and the beaches are close by.
- Hotel Palais Royal, 48, Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island.
- Hotel Le Chateau, 292E Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island.
- Protea, a South African group, has three hotels in Lagos, all of acceptable standard but not cheap. The prices are reduced if you hold a group loyalty card, the ProKard.
Splurge;
- Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, 1A Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Styled by Swedish hospitality designer, Christian Lundwall, the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel is located along the waterfront area of Victoria Island, the business hub of the city.
- Sheraton Lagos, 30 Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Airport Rd, Ikeja, Close to the MM International Airport in the heart of Ikeja. Offers 325 guest rooms and 7 suites with high speed Wi-Fi access
- Four Points by Sheraton, Plot 9/10 Block 2 Oniru Chieftaincy Estate Prince Alaba Oniru Rd, Located in Lekki close to the offices of Mobil and Chevron.
- The Wheatbaker, 4 Onitolo Road (Lawrence Road) Ikoyi, Located in the residential heart of Ikoyi, 35 km from MM International Airport. Owned by Legacy Hotels and Resorts, a South African hospitality chain. Members of its Legacy Lifestyle programme get a discount
