We independently assess all our recommendations. Purchases through our links may earn us a commission.
You’ve probably heard of Lagos. It’s the most populous city in Africa with more than 21 million people. From its size, you can see that it’s multi-layered, multicultural, and everything but a city for anyone searching for peace and quiet. The boisterous energy is felt the moment you step into the city. The city calls you to do something. Anything!
Lagos is the economic hub of Nigeria. You can find Chinese food in luxury restaurants as well as spicy suya meat in streetside markets. If you wander enough, you might find yourself on a beach with the wind slowly gyrating to the waves. Lagos is a truly unique location, and the energy of the city is unmatched anywhere in the world.
If you plan to visit Lagos, here are the top things you should do.
10. Ride in a Marwa:
Called a tuktuk or a rickshaw in many other parts of the world, a marwa is a small, yellow three-wheeled contraption that you can find anywhere in the city. The drivers are funny, jovial, and exhibit the spirit of the city.
You can hop in one for a short ride around the city at any time of the day. Why should you take them? Well, they’re quick and can get you around arguably faster than any other mode of transportation in Lagos. Just sit at the back, relax, and watch the city from the uncovered sides. Riding in a marwa is one of the best ways to get familiar with the street life of Lagos.
9. Badagry Slave Trade Museum:
When visiting any African country, it should be a top priority to visit a slave trade museum, if available. Lagos is no different.
At the outskirts of the hustle and bustle of the city is the historic town of Badagry, a town sure to leave you pensive and absorbed. It houses the relics of an unfortunate part of human history: the slave trade. A day trip will unveil to you chains, padlocks, whips, and atrocities witnessed by slaves. You can see the “Point Of No Return”, a historical island used as a port for the slave trade. Then, you can take a boat to the Atlantic Ocean and watch the ocean waves as you drink coconut water and think about the pieces of history you’ve just learned.
8. Take a Walk:
Yes, take a walk! You might find this to be mundane, but you won’t understand Lagos until you walk through it. On the island, you’ll find Obalende with its vibrant nightlife and street food, and Ikoyi for the relics of colonization and beautifully designed buildings.
On the mainland, Yaba and Ojuelegba offer insight into what a busy Nigerian market looks like. You can find moderately priced vinyl records, secondhand books, and clothing materials in these markets. If you’re interested in tech and gadgets, Ikeja’s Computer Village is the place to be.
7. Go to an Owambe:
Lagos is a multifaceted place, and the Yoruba slang “Owambẹ” is basically multifacetedness in an event. Owambẹ roughly translates into “it’s there”, and is a word that refers to a range of different celebratory events. These events include weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, even burials. They feature stylishly dressed people in different traditional attires. Typically, the men flow in their àgbàdá and the women adorn their headgears. There’s a lot of food and drinks, music, dancing, and a display of cultural life.
If you’re dressed well enough, you’re welcome to enter any of them. After visiting one, you’ll have a total change of mind about how celebrations should be done.
6. Visit the Nigerian National Museum:
The National Museum houses artifacts from the wide range of subcultures in Nigeria. You’ll find different collections of arts, ethnography, and history about the many tribes and timelines that make up Nigeria.
The Nigerian National Museum is a great place to begin to understand the largest black nation on earth.
5. Walk the Longest Canopy Walk in Africa:
The longest canopy walk in Africa is at the Lekki Conservation Center. While most of the city is covered in concrete, the LCC is a sharp contrast. It’s the perfect place to experience the greenery, nature, and wildlife of the region. You can walk on planks over mangroves, play giant-sized chess, and see monkeys, snakes, and crocodiles.
The icing on the cake at the LCC, though, is the canopy walk. Take a stroll on the longest canopy walk on the continent and experience the forest from a completely different angle.
4. Nike Art Gallery:
The Nike Art Gallery was founded by the legendary Oyenike Monica Okundaye, a Nigerian batik, and Adire textile designer. The gallery is a home, an exhibition, and a workshop rolled into one.
Here you can see the largest collection of arts in the country filling each floor of the gallery. The best arts, sculptures, designs, and crafts made by the Nigerians live in this gallery. If you’re lucky, you might even see Nike herself.
3. Visit the Beach:
Lagos is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. Hence, people who live in the city are in constant proximity to water. There are plenty of beaches in and around the city.
If you like beautiful sand and crystal clear water, Landmark Beach is your best bet. If you’re visiting Badagry, you can go to the Whispering Palms Resort after listening to slave trade history. You can also scuba dive at the Jet Ski Club on Victoria Island. If you’re into surfing, Tarkwa Bay is the place to go.
2. Books and Chill:
Some of Africa’s best literary exports are from Nigeria. Many of these authors grew up or lived in Lagos. What’s the best place to get a book? Jazzhole. This bookstore features one of the largest collections of African literature and music. It’s one of the best stops for books and Nigerian culture in general in town. Bogobiri, another bookstore, also offers a blend of music from a resident band and a mini-exhibition of art. Both bookstores offer an artistic ambience and a great opportunity to get in touch with Nigerian culture.
1. Eat Nigerian Food:
Ignore all of the other activities on this list if you want, if you do anything in Lagos, you have to eat. Nigerians love food. There’s a clear reason why jollof rice, fufu, and other traditional dishes are found in international restaurants. The city of Lagos boasts a fine repertoire of restaurants with all kinds of food to make your taste buds experience gustatory bliss. All you have to do is to pick up a menu or go on the streets, as the street food is equally as great as the chandeliered restaurants. The best thing about Nigeria’s food? They don’t dig a hole in your pocket for premium satisfaction.
If you do decide to visit the city, these are just a few things you can do, and there are always new places to check out in Lagos. Little things like striking up a conversation with a local can make your day. The energy of the city will quickly engulf you whether you spend a day or a month. What’s for sure is that you’ll enjoy the people, the city, and all that it offers.
Soak up more Nigerian culture by reading our Guide to the Oyo Empire.
