EXPERIENCE LAGOS

Overview

Lagos or Lagos City is the most populous city in Nigeria with over 26 million people calling it home. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world and one of the largest in Nigeria. It features the largest and busiest ports on the continent. The vibrant, bustling metropolis boasts a collection of lakes, lagoons, sandbars, and islands that hold a myriad of secrets and surprises waiting to be uncovered, there are plenty of things to see and do.

Lagos means “lakes” in Portuguese and the city was named by the Portuguese who arrived in 1472, and was named after Lagos, Portugal. The bustling city streets are bursting with high-end West African fashion, street food hawkers serving up aromatic cuisine, and the sounds of Afrobeat. The city gave birth to some of the most influential musicians in Africa such as Fela Kuti, Afrobeat pioneer, and Wizkid, a globally recognized artist. Lagos features an exploding arts and music scene and is considered the city that never sleeps with contagious high energy. There are dozens of beaches to explore in Lagos which is also known as the social, economic, cultural, and entertainment heartland of Nigeria.

Lagos sits on the southwestern side of Nigeria, on the coast of the Bight of Benin, bounded by the state of Ogun to the north and east, by the Bight of Benin to the South, and by the Republic of Benin to the West. There are three islands that make up Lagos City; Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Amuwo-Odofin, and Apapa, they are separated by creeks that fringe the mouth of Lagos Lagoon. Protected from the Atlantic Ocean by barrier islands, and long sand spits such as Bar Beach that stretch for 60 miles. The city expanded to the west of the lagoon and now includes areas in the present-day Lagos Mainland, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, and Surulere they are connected by a number of bridges that connect the central city to the mainland.

Things to see and do

Visit Freedom Park located in the heart of Lagos city center on Lagos Island, it is a memorial and recreational park, that used to be Her Majesty’s Broad Street Prison. The park was designed by architect Theo Lawson and was built to preserve the history and cultural heritage of Nigerians. There are monuments dotted around the park erected to mark the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations in October 2010. The park is a national memorial, a historical landmark, a cultural site, and an arts and recreation center.

Tinubu Square formerly known as Independence Square is an open space located on Broad Street on Lagos Island. The square was named after slave trader, merchant, and aristocrat Efunroye Tinubu. It was named by the leaders of the First Nigerian Republic after Nigerian Independence, its the most popular square in the country.

Tafawa Balewa Square is a ceremonial ground that was a racecourse under the British, where independence was proclaimed in 1960. The stadium has a capacity for 50,000 people and sits on 56 acres, it was a sports field that hosted horse racing and included a section for football and cricket grounds. In its heyday, the course hosted the Empire Day parades. At the entrance to the square, there are giant sculptures of four white horses that hover above the gate and seven red eagles, which are symbols from the national emblem that signify Strength and Dignity respectively.

Check out the Lekki Conservation Center, essentially the Lagos Zoo is a popular nature center. The center consists of a huge expansive green space that replicates rainforest, mangroves, and savannah in a tranquil oasis of peace, nature, and wildlife where monkeys, crocodiles, snakes, and various birds can be seen. Take an organized tour through the center and try the longest canopy walkway in Africa. There is a small museum with stuffed animals, this is one of the most popular sites in Lagos. On Sundays, the center is used for lengthy religious services.

Lagos’ Nike Art Center is one of the four centers for art and culture in Nigeria, set up by the award-winning and internationally renowned Nigerian artist Nike Okundaye. This four-story space is a testament to Nike’s considerable achievements and her passion for ensuring that traditional Nigerian arts survive into the modern era. Visitors can watch artisan craftspeople practicing the age-old arts of batik, indigo, adire, weaving, carving, embroidery, and more. Purchase masterpieces made by artists as fantastic souvenirs, or even sign up for a workshop to learn the basics of these skills yourself.

Visit Lekki Market for an authentic shopping experience located on the Lekki Peninsula to immerse yourself in the Nigerian way of life. Craftspeople from all over the country gather and sell their wares ranging from traditional paintings, sculptures, elaborate beadwork, and African fashions. The market is known for its high-quality, colorful textiles that are created using special techniques such as adire and batik.

The National Museum is located on Lagos Island offering insightful displays detailing the history of Nigeria and various tribes. Visitors can hire a guide to get the most out of their experience and hear stories behind the museum’s many artworks, statues, and artifacts. The Jenaa Head is a terracotta sculpture dated to between 900 and 200 BC. The Cycle of Life exhibit explores different tribal approaches to each stage of human existence.

Visit Makoko Floating Village, a waterfront slum where stilted houses, shops, schools, and churches sit on the waters of the Lagos Lagoon. The fishing village is euphemistically titled the “Venice of Africa” and was founded over a century ago by settlers from Togo, and Benin. Take a boat tour of the village with a guide for some valuable information and a great learning experience with a chance to interact with the residents of one of Lagos’ most unique areas.

Shopping

There are many great shopping opportunities to experience when visiting Lagos. Nigeria features a surplus of talented tailors and designers offering a great experience to purchase statement pieces and upgrade your wardrobe with some Lagotian design. There are concept stores popping up all over the city, this is one of the best ways to discover some amazing talents in the city. They offer a mix of local designers using traditional techniques and fabrics combined with modern silhouettes to create unique pieces. Some of the high-end brands in the city include Rolex, Louboutin, and Givenchy.

Lagos is a bustling city filled with a range of diverse markets, there are street stalls and massive shopping complexes, but there is something for everyone. People come from all over the world to experience the vibrant atmosphere and unique items on sale. Each market has its own unique charm and appeal there are many Lagosian markets to choose from.

The Lekki Arts and Craft Market where tourists shop for local authentic items such as colorful woven baskets, bags, and accessories. The market is like a photogenic maze with a huge variety of products like handmade leather shoes and bags, souvenirs, trinkets, jewelry, and artwork.

Balogun Market is held on specific days opening at 5 am selling various items. The market is set up in different sections selling various goods like cloth, provisions, accessories, and bridal items. It is the primary destination for anyone looking for “Asoebi” for weddings and other “Owambe” parties. Mile 12 market is located in the Ketu Local Government area of Lagos state, it has been providing affordable bulk perishable food items to the country for over 30 years. It is the largest perishable food market in the country and one of the largest in West Africa. The market offers a variety of food items like fruits, vegetables, flours, cooking oils, and more.

Dining

Nigerian food is known for being spicy and aromatic, it is becoming increasingly more popular internationally. Nigerian cuisine represents the cuisines from over 250 ethnic groups, sharing similarities with the cuisines of its West African and Central African neighbors like Ghana, Benin, and Cameroon. Popular ingredients include starchy foods like yam, cassava, plantains, rice, and beans, often consumed in a variety of dishes such as hearty soups and stews made with different kinds of meat and vegetables. Popular meats include beef, goat, lamb, chicken, and turkey, and the most popular vegetables include Lagos spinach, African spinach, water leaves, pumpkin leaves, and jute leaves. African crayfish, dry ground pepper, and Maggi cubes are common seasonings, and palm and groundnut oil are also widely used.

Popular dishes to try in Lagos include Jollof rice which is probably the most famous dish in the country. Ofada rice is also popular and accompanies many meals with Abula sauce. Amala and ewedu are popular soups produced from dried yam made into a powder form. Eba and Okro are stews, Ewa Agoyin is made with soft beans and served with a pepper sauce. Bean porridge made with beans and yams. Restaurants in the capital city can be found in different areas such as Lagos Island, Victoria Island, and by the beaches. There are rooftop restaurants, beachside bars, and more to explore.

Beaches

Lagos features some beautiful sandy beaches nestled along the Atlantic Ocean, the city offers a bunch of private beach resorts such as Landmark Beach which features the first floating inflatable Water Park in the country. One of the most organized, clean, and premium public beaches in the city.

La Campagne Tropicana is a resort and beach in Lagos. This beach features some spectacular scenery with swaying palm trees, sparkling white sands, and verdant mangrove forest covering over 65 acres of land. One of the best beaches in Lagos, where beachgoers will have the opportunity to swim in the longest pool in Africa, go kayaking, or horseback riding, or relax and enjoy a picnic.

Tarkwa Bay Beach is the second most popular beach in Lagos, it is only accessible by water. Take a cruise to Tarkwa and visit the beautiful tranquil beach oasis on this artificial island located near the Lagos harbor. The pristine beach here provides cherishable views of Lagos from the water with many activities to enjoy such as volleyball, football, swimming, and surfing. A sheltered stretch of golden sands with options for jet skiing and waterskiing in the pristine waters, it is also one of the best beaches for surfers to catch a wave in Lagos. Make a day of it and bring a picnic or purchase street food from the locals.

Elegushi Beach is the most popular beach in Lekki, a lively beach filled with activities as well as many dining and entertainment options along the beachfront. This is a lively beach and is world-renowned as the host of the COPA Lagos beach soccer tournament. There are many restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, a Ferris wheel, and lots of vendors along the beach.

Lekki Leisure Lake is a nice, calm, quiet, clean beach with restaurants along the coast. It is the best private beach popular for water sports including jet skiing, and pedal boating, as well as quad biking. There are many great restaurants along the beach and activities for the kids including a bouncy castle for kids.

Landmark Beach is on Victoria Island, the ideal destination for playing tennis, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and mini golf. A private beach resort boasting a scenic expanse of sand, separated from the Landmark Village by a well-maintained boardwalk. The village has a curated selection of boutiques, bars, and restaurants (including Lagos’ Hard Rock Cafe). The club offers a host of organized activities for a fun-filled day out. Try kite surfing, jet skiing, beach paintball, beach volleyball, and beach soccer. There are over 40 loungers and 20 cabanas available to rent.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Lagos is famous especially for its music scene, it has introduced a variety of styles such as Sakara music, Nigerian hip hop, highlife, juju, fuji, and Afrobeats. There are a dizzying array of nightclubs in Lagos, which is dubbed the “party central” of Nigeria. Many of the clubs can be found on Victoria Island and around Adeniran Ogunsanya Street in Surelere. The city boasts many bars, clubs, and restaurants with popular places such as Quilox, Escape, and Club 57 to name a few, they feature live music performances by local and international artists.

Lagos nightlife has a reputation for being epic, partygoers are guaranteed a great night out on the town. There is everything from al fresco beach bars to nightclubs with celebrity DJs and VIP table services. There are plenty of establishments to choose from in Lagos including the iconic New Afrika Shrine nightclub, a 2,500 head club that opened in Fela Kuti’s (global Afrobeat icon) honor by his family. It is a sacred spot for anyone who loves music, dancing, drinking, and a great ambiance as well as great food.

The Eyo Festival also known as the Adamu Orisha Play, is a Yoruba festival unique to Lagos that usually takes place on a Saturday and represents the community escorting a dead king to the afterlife and crowning a new one. Today it is also a major tourist attraction with thousands of white-robed figures in colorful hats and flowing ribbons that snake through town, these are believed to represent the spirits of the ancestors ascending to heaven.