Lagos

A high-energy megacity, island beaches, art and Afrobeats nights

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Lagos is the pulsating megacity of West Africa, a sprawling, ambitious place split between the mainland and breezy islands, with a booming art and music scene, buzzing markets and lively beaches. It is the beating heart of Afrobeats. Our local picks run from Lekki galleries and beaches to jollof rice and suya. More hand-picked recommendations are on the way – filter by category and budget below.

Lagos at a glance

Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
Best time to visit: November to March
Highlights: the beaches, the Nike Art Gallery and Lekki
Where to stay: Victoria Island, Ikoyi or Lekki
Local picks: a growing set of hand-chosen tips
Getting around: cars and ride-hailing, with heavy traffic

Where to stay in Lagos

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Lagos Island

Balogun Market

★ 4.2

Victoria Island

Eko Hotels & Suites

★ 4.5

$$$

Elegushi Beach

Elegushi beach situated around Ikate area of Lekki is known to offer exquisite restaurants, night clubs, and hangout spots that feature local food, variety of live shows including music and jamborees all…

Victoria Island

Federal Palace Hotel

★ 4.3

$$$

Lagos Island

Freedom Park Lagos

Why it matters: this was Her Majesty’s Broad Street Prison, where Nigeria’s independence heroes were jailed under colonial rule – reborn as a memorial and community arts park that now hosts the island’s best live music, poetry nights and festivals. Architect Theo Lawson’s design keeps the old prison walls and cells as museum spaces, so you can trace the history before the amphitheatre fills up at night. The food court serves proper Lagos cooking at honest prices. Go at dusk when office workers drift in and the stage comes alive – check the events calendar before you visit, and entry rarely tops 1,000 naira.

Ikeja

Kalakuta Republic Museum

★ 4.5

Lagos

Lagos Art & City Tour

★ 4.5

Lekki

Lagos Beach Clubs

★ 4.2

Victoria Island

Lagos Skyline & Victoria Island

★ 4.3

Lagos

Lagos Street Food Tour

★ 4.6

Lagos Island

Lagos Street Markets

★ 4.1

Lekki

Lekki Arts & Crafts Market

★ 4.4

Lekki

Lekki Conservation Canopy Tour

★ 4.5

Lekki

Lekki Conservation Centre

Why it matters: this 78-hectare wetland reserve is run by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, the country’s leading environmental nonprofit, which has protected it from Lekki’s relentless construction boom since 1990 – your entry fee funds conservation work across Nigeria. The star attraction is the 401-metre canopy walkway, the longest in Africa, swaying 22 feet above swamp forest where mona monkeys crash through the branches. Boardwalk trails wind past crocodile ponds and a giant tortoise enclosure. Come on a weekday morning: the canopy walk queue gets long on weekends, and the birdlife is best early.

Ikeja

New Afrika Shrine

★ 4.5

Lagos Island

Nigerian National Museum

★ 4.2

Lekki Phase I

Nike Art Gallery

Why it matters: owner Nike Davies-Okundaye – the doyenne of Nigerian textile art – has trained over 3,000 artists for free through her foundation since 1983, most of them women, and this gallery bankrolls that mission. The five-storey Lekki building holds roughly 8,000 works, making it one of the largest art collections in West Africa, and admission is free. Mama Nike herself often welcomes visitors in her trademark headwrap; ask about the adire indigo-dyeing demonstrations. If you buy, prices are fair and the money goes back into the training centres.

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Lagos travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Lagos?

Two to three days lets you take in the islands, the beaches, the galleries and a night out, allowing for the famous traffic.

Where is the best area to stay in Lagos?

Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki are the most convenient bases for restaurants, galleries and beaches.

What are the best things to do in Lagos?

Browse the local picks above, from the Nike Art Gallery and the Lekki markets to the beaches and a night out to live Afrobeats.

What is the best time to visit Lagos?

The drier months from November to March are most comfortable; the wet season peaks around June and July.