A complete, honest guide to Lagos, Nigeria — where to go, what to eat, how to get around and the day trips worth your time. Africa's most vibrant city.
Lagos is a highlight of Africa, and Lagos is Africa's biggest, boldest city — a coastal megacity of music, markets and entrepreneurial drive. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, this guide helps you plan a trip that balances the must-sees with the moments that make a place stick.
Top things to do in Lagos
These are the sights most first-time visitors build their trip around. Tap each one to add it to your shortlist — it saves as you browse.
Perfect 2–3 days in Lagos
A simple, unhurried plan you can shape around your own pace.
The essentials
Hit the headline sights first — Lekki Conservation Centre and Nike Art Gallery. Break for lunch and try jollof rice, then spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of Victoria Island.
Go deeper
Go beyond the highlights: see Tarkwa Bay and Lekki & Victoria Island, then explore Lekki at a slower pace. Leave time to sit in a café, browse a market and eat where the locals do.
Beyond the city
With a third day, head out of town — Badagry (a sobering slave-trade history town) is the easy favourite, or swap in Lekki beaches (weekend escapes along the coast).
Ready to book? Turn your Lagos shortlist into reality
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and day trips for the sights you've saved — booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We may earn a commission.
Book Lagos experiences →Lagos on a budget — costs & money tips
Lagos is very affordable by global standards. Here’s roughly what to budget, per person per day, by travel style — these are indicative estimates to plan around, not fixed prices, and they exclude international flights. Use the currency selector near the top of the page to convert.
dorms/hostels, street food, public transport, mostly free sights
private room or 3★ hotel, a mix of cafes and restaurants, a few paid attractions
4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis when handy, tours and tickets
What things cost in Lagos
- Accommodation£8–£45 / night
- Food£6–£20 / day
- Local transport£2–£8 / day
- Typical attraction£3–£12 / entry
See how Lagos compares with 126 other cities →
Saving money in Lagos
- Street food and local markets are both the cheapest and often the best meals — eat where locals queue.
- Trains and shared local transport cost a fraction of taxis; agree fares before you ride where meters aren’t used.
- Many of the best experiences here are low-cost — temples, markets, walking the old quarters.
Estimates assume mid-2020s prices and a typical exchange rate; high season, festivals and last-minute booking push costs toward the upper end.
Local intelligence — Lagos at a glance
A quick orientation for Lagos. Sunrise and sunset are live for today; connectivity and nomad-friendliness are Wander360 estimates to set expectations, not precise scores.
Staying safe in Lagos
Most visits are trouble-free. Use the same street sense you would in any busy city: keep an eye on belongings in crowds and on transport, use licensed taxis or a rideshare app, agree fares in advance where meters aren’t used, and be wary of unsolicited “help” at ATMs or stations. For up-to-date, authoritative guidance always check your own government’s travel advisory (UK FCDO · US State Dept) before you travel.
For getting around Lagos specifically, see the Getting around section on this page.
Where to stay & neighbourhoods in Lagos
Lagos is really a collection of distinct districts, and where you base yourself shapes the whole trip. Here’s each main neighbourhood — what it’s like and who it suits:
Victoria Island
Business, dining and nightlife.
Lekki
Beaches and new development.
Ikoyi
Upscale and leafy.
Once you’ve picked an area, you can book tours & tickets in Lagos further down the page.
Food & drink in Lagos
Nigerian food is hearty and spicy — jollof rice, suya skewers and pounded yam with rich stews.
Build your Lagos food list — tap the dishes you want to try:
Getting around Lagos
Traffic ('go-slow') is intense; ride-hailing apps are the most practical way to get around.
🚇 Public transport
Usually the fastest and cheapest way around Lagos. Grab a rechargeable travel card or use contactless where supported, and download the local transit app for live times.
🚶 On foot
The centre of Lagos is best explored on foot — it’s how you stumble on the small things. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a map app handy.
🚕 Taxis & rideshare
For late nights, luggage runs or awkward cross-town hops, ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a cab. Confirm the car and plate before getting in.
✈️ From the airport
Check the official airport transfer options before you land — there’s almost always a train or express bus into Lagos that beats a taxi on price.
Best time to visit Lagos
November–March (the dry season) is the most comfortable time to visit. Prices and crowds tend to follow the weather, so the shoulder seasons often give the best value.
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for visiting Lagos.
Day trips from Lagos
When you’re ready to venture beyond the city, these make for rewarding day trips:
- Badagry — a sobering slave-trade history town
- Lekki beaches — weekend escapes along the coast
Practical tips for Lagos
🧭 Where to base yourself
For a first visit, Victoria Island is a smart base — business, dining and nightlife. If that’s not your style, Lekki works well too (beaches and new development).
🍽️ Eat like a local
Don’t leave Lagos without trying jollof rice, suya, pepper soup or puff-puff. Skip the obvious tourist spots and eat where you see locals queueing.
✨ Don’t miss
Make time for Lekki Conservation Centre and Nike Art Gallery. With a spare day, Badagry (a sobering slave-trade history town) is well worth the trip.
💰 Money & payments
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in Lagos, but carry some local cash for markets, small cafés and tips. Tell your bank you’re travelling and check foreign-transaction fees.
📶 Staying connected
A local eSIM or SIM is cheap and makes maps, transport and translation effortless across Lagos — set it up before you arrive or at the airport.
🛡️ Stay aware
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds and on transport in Lagos, as you would in any busy city, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Lagos?
Three to four days is enough for Lagos’s highlights — the main sights plus time to wander Victoria Island — with an extra day for a trip to Badagry if you can spare it.
What is the best time of year to visit Lagos?
November–March (the dry season) is the most comfortable time to visit.
What food is Lagos known for?
Nigerian food is hearty and spicy — jollof rice, suya skewers and pounded yam with rich stews.
Where should I stay in Lagos?
Victoria Island is a great first-time base (business, dining and nightlife). Lekki is another good option for beaches and new development.
What are the best day trips from Lagos?
Two rewarding day trips are Badagry (a sobering slave-trade history town) and Lekki beaches (weekend escapes along the coast).
How do you get around Lagos?
Traffic ('go-slow') is intense; ride-hailing apps are the most practical way to get around.
