30 Things To Do in Lagos That’ll Make You Say “Wait, This Is Nigeria?”

Lagos isn’t just a city—it’s a surge of adrenaline wrapped in sea breeze and street heat. If you call it the city that never sleeps, you’re not wrong—but even that feels like an understatement. This is a place where horns honk like background percussion, Afrobeats spill from danfo buses, and the scent of suya smoke curls through traffic like incense in a cathedral of chaos.

By day, it's a grind. By night, it’s a groove. And no two hours feel the same.

Lagos is a contradiction in motion—frantic yet soulful, modern yet ancestral, maddening and magnetic. Its energy doesn’t just fill the air; it grabs you by the collar and pulls you in. It’s a city that demands engagement and rewards curiosity—but only if you come open, ready, and real.

So no, there isn’t one version of Lagos. There are a thousand, every one alive and loud and layered. And that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.

Ready to dive in? Let’s explore Africa’s boldest city and what makes it stand out.

1. Walk the Canopy at Lekki Conservation Centre

📍 Location: KM 19, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos

If you’re craving nature in a city that rarely slows down, Lekki Conservation Centre is your oasis. Tucked away on the bustling Lekki Peninsula, this 78-hectare reserve is one of the most peaceful places in Lagos.

Start your visit with a walk through shaded boardwalks surrounded by mangroves and tropical forest. You might spot mona monkeys, crocodiles, or exotic birds hiding in the trees. But the main draw is the canopy walkway—a thrilling, swaying bridge system high above the forest floor, offering panoramic views and a solid dose of adrenaline.

There’s also a family picnic area, koi pond, treehouses, and even a giant floor chessboard if you’re up for some quirky fun.

2. Explore Nike Art Gallery

📍 Location: No. 2, Elegushi Road, 3rd Roundabout, Lekki, Lagos

This is not your typical gallery stop. With four floors packed from floor to ceiling with bold canvases, beaded crowns, textile art, and wood carvings, Nike Art Gallery is culturally enriching.

Whether you're a serious collector or just browsing, the gallery is a vibrant crash course in Yoruba tradition, Nigerian history, and modern West African creativity. The staff is welcoming, knowledgeable, and often led by Nike herself—who might personally introduce you to the meaning behind a piece or share a story from her decades-long journey in art education.

Outside, murals and sculptures spill onto the grounds, while inside, the energy is electric—every corner tells a story. Be sure to visit the gift shop for handmade jewelry, batik fabrics, and small artworks you can take home.

3. Relax at Tarkwa Bay Beach

📍 Location: Off Lagos Harbour, accessible by boat from Marina, CMS, or Banana Island

Need a break from Lagos’ hustle? Tarkwa Bay Beach is your island getaway—without leaving the city. Only reachable by boat, this sheltered beach is a local favorite for day-trippers craving soft sand, calm surf, and peaceful vibes far from the city’s noise.

Spend your afternoon lounging under a thatched umbrella, taking a dip in the warm Atlantic, or learning to surf on beginner-friendly waves. Vendors rent out chairs, umbrellas, and boards, and you’ll find cold drinks and grilled seafood being served up by beachside locals.

4. Visit the National Museum Lagos

📍 Location: Onikan, Lagos Island, near Tafawa Balewa Square

If you're looking to understand the soul of Nigeria, the National Museum Lagos is the place to start. Inside this modest, somewhat weathered building is a treasure trove of pre-colonial artifacts, royal regalia, and sacred art.

Key highlights include the iconic Nok terracotta sculptures (dating back to 500 BC), ritual masks, and a stunning display of Benin bronzes, which tell stories of craftsmanship, empire, and resistance. The museum also houses the car in which former Head of State Murtala Mohammed was assassinated, offering a sobering look at Nigeria's political past.

The exhibits aren’t flashy, but they are authentic, powerful, and deeply rooted in Nigerian identity.

5. Attend a Show at Terra Kulture

📍 Location: Plot 1376, Tiamiyu Savage St, Victoria Island, Lagos

If you want a real taste of Nigerian culture that’s alive, loud, and unfiltered, then a night at Terra Kulture is a must.

Start with the art gallery, which showcases rotating exhibits of contemporary Nigerian artists. Then grab a seat in the Terra Arena, where stage plays, spoken word, and live music bring Lagos’ energy to life with unapologetic style. Performances often reflect Nigerian society—raw, funny, political, and emotional.

Before or after the show, stop by the on-site restaurant for jollof rice, grilled catfish, or their famed palm wine cocktails. It’s a full evening of Lagos: art, food, and fierce creativity under one roof.

6. Experience Freedom Park

📍 Location: 1 Hospital Rd, off Broad Street, Lagos Island

Few places in Lagos tell a deeper story than Freedom Park. What used to be Her Majesty’s Broad Street Prison is now a peaceful, open-air cultural complex.

During the day, the park is a calm, tree-lined space filled with sculptures, fountains, and remnants of prison walls that whisper Lagos’ colonial and political past. But as the sun sets, it morphs into a cultural playground. There’s always something happening—poetry nights, jazz concerts, food festivals, film screenings, and impromptu dance battles.

It’s equal parts memorial and modern venue, attracting everyone from college students and old-school musicians to global tourists seeking the soul of the city.

7. Tour the Kalakuta Republic Museum

📍 Location: 8, Gbemisola St, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos

You can’t talk about Lagos—or Nigeria, really—without mentioning Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the rebellious, genius godfather of Afrobeat. Touring the Kalakuta Republic Museum, his former home turned living shrine, is one of the most powerful and essential things to do in Lagos for music fans and cultural explorers alike.

Inside, the museum preserves Fela’s bedroom exactly as he left it, complete with his shoes, saxophones, and iconic performance outfits. The walls tell stories of his activism, police raids, and the music that made him both a national hero and a target of the establishment.

You’ll also see a rooftop stage where Fela performed intimate shows, and a memorial crypt where he’s buried. It’s raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring—especially when you realize how much of his voice still echoes through modern Nigerian music and protest culture.

8. Shop at Lekki Arts and Crafts Market

📍 Location: Oba Elegushi International Market, Lekki, Lagos

If you're looking for meaningful souvenirs—or just want to explore Lagos’ vibrant artisan culture—Lekki Arts and Crafts Market is a must. It’s loud, colorful, and beautifully chaotic, with hundreds of stalls selling handmade goods like woven baskets, beaded jewelry, brass sculptures, and rich Ankara fabrics.

More than just shopping, it's an experience: artists working in real time, vendors sharing the backstory behind each mask or painting, and the chance to bargain like a Lagosian (respectfully, of course).

9. Stroll Through Badagry Slave Museum

📍 Location: Badagry Town, Lagos State (approx. 2 hrs from central Lagos)

Few places will leave you as humbled and haunted as the Badagry Slave Museum. Located in a historic coastal town west of Lagos, this museum offers one of the most powerful Lagos itinarary for travelers seeking a deeper understanding of the region’s past.

Guided tours walk you through preserved buildings—slave barracoons, colonial relics, and missionary houses—filled with chilling artifacts: chains, branding irons, auction records. The journey ends at the "Point of No Return", a narrow sandy path that leads to the ocean, where captives were loaded onto slave ships bound for the Americas.

It’s heavy. It’s necessary. And it’s unforgettable.

10. Enjoy Live Music at New Afrika Shrine

📍 Location: 1 Nerdc Rd, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos

If the Kalakuta Museum is Fela’s memorial, the New Afrika Shrine is his eternal party. This is Afrobeat ground zero—a raw, electric venue where music, rebellion, and Lagos nightlife collide in an unforgettable experience.

Every Thursday and Sunday, the Shrine pulses with live performances by Femi Kuti, Made Kuti, and a rotation of Afrobeat acts that keep Fela’s legacy alive. The crowd is an eclectic mix—locals, global fans, old-school revolutionaries, and curious tourists all vibing under the smoky haze of incense, palm wine, and basslines.

There’s no dress code, no velvet rope—just rhythm, community, and a stage where the music still speaks truth to power.

11. Discover Jaekel House

📍 Location: Railway Compound, Ebute Metta, Lagos Mainland

In a city that’s constantly evolving, Jaekel House is a gentle reminder of Lagos’ colonial past—and a hotspot if you’re into architecture, photography, or rail history.

The restored colonial mansion, with its white-washed facade, wraparound porch, and manicured gardens, now serves as a railway museum filled with vintage photographs, artifacts, and uniforms from Nigeria’s pre- and post-independence rail era. The grounds are calm, green, and unexpectedly peaceful—a sharp contrast to the chaos of the mainland outside its gates.

It’s also become a favorite backdrop for photo shoots, films, and heritage tours, making it a low-key gem for creatives and history buffs alike.

12. Visit the Cathedral Church of Christ

📍 Location: 29 Marina Road, Lagos Island

With its Gothic revival architecture, soaring stained glass, and stately columns, the Cathedral Church of Christ is a spiritual and architectural landmark in Lagos Island’s Marina district. It’s a place where you can take a deep breath, admire intricate craftsmanship, and hear a choir that can raise goosebumps—even if you’re not religious.

Set amid the hustle of downtown Lagos, the cathedral stands as a symbol of grace, endurance, and cultural fusion, blending British colonial influences with Nigerian worship traditions. Step inside during a service and you’ll hear a powerful mix of Anglican liturgy and local choral music, often sung in Yoruba and English.

It’s not just a church—it’s a quiet moment in a loud city.

13. Shop at Balogun Market

📍 Location: Lagos Island (spanning from Idumota to CMS)
🧵 Fun Fact: Balogun Market isn’t one building—it’s a labyrinth of thousands of stalls and street vendors, forming one of West Africa’s largest open-air markets.

If you're ready for a true Lagos experience—unfiltered, energetic, and a little chaotic—Balogun Market is it. This sprawling commercial district is where the city’s pulse is loudest, and shopping here is as much an adventure as a transaction.

You’ll find Ankara fabrics in every pattern imaginable, sequined lace, beads, wigs, electronics, handbags, kitchen supplies, school uniforms, perfumes—you name it, it's probably for sale here.

Come prepared: this place is fast, loud, and crowded. You’ll hear a chorus of vendors shouting deals, dodge wheelbarrow pushers, and maybe even haggle over a piece of embroidered fabric you didn’t know you needed.

14. Explore Makoko Floating Village

📍 Location: Lagos Mainland, near the 3rd Mainland Bridge

Makoko is not a tourist attraction—it’s a reality check on water. Built on stilts over the Lagos Lagoon, this floating village is home to tens of thousands of people, many living without basic infrastructure but with a fierce sense of community and resilience.

Forget sanitized brochures. Makoko is Lagos at its most unfiltered—wooden canoes instead of taxis, fish-smoking huts beside schools, children paddling through narrow waterways with the ease of city cyclists. A guided canoe tour shows you the beating heart of a place most people overlook or write off entirely.

You’ll see poverty, yes—but also ingenuity, grit, and an architecture of survival. You’ll leave with more questions than answers, and that’s the point. Makoko is not here to entertain you. It dares you to pay attention.

It’s an experience that challenges perceptions—and reminds you that Lagos is many cities in one: glamorous, gritty, innovative, and raw.

15. Relax at Elegushi Beach

📍 Location: Lekki Phase 1, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos

If you're looking for Lagos at full volume, Elegushi Beach is where the city’s love for music, movement, and mixology collides with crashing waves. By day, it’s a chill spot to unwind on the sand, ride horses, or sip cold drinks at a beach shack. By night, the beach transforms into a party zone, with DJs, bonfires, and sometimes full-blown concerts spilling into the surf.

It’s not pristine or peaceful like Tarkwa Bay—but it’s full of life. Think: loud Afrobeats, grilled fish sizzling on open flames, and vendors hawking sunglasses and suya.

16. Visit Omenka Gallery

📍 Location: 24 Ikoyi Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos

After the intensity of Lagos markets and nightlife, a visit to Omenka Gallery feels like stepping into a quiet conversation with Nigerian art history. This sleek, intimate gallery showcases contemporary African art—from photography and sculpture to experimental installations—against the calming backdrop of the Ikoyi waterfront.

The curation is world-class, with a strong focus on themes like identity, post-colonialism, and African futurism. Many of the featured artists have exhibited internationally, but here, you get to experience their work up close, in an atmosphere that feels personal and profoundly local.

17. Experience LUFASI Nature Park

📍 Location: Majek 1st Gate, KM 41, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos

In a city famous for traffic and towering development, LUFASI Nature Park offers something radical: silence, trees, and time to breathe. This 20-hectare conservation park protects endangered flora and fauna while giving city dwellers a chance to reconnect with nature—and it’s one of the most family-friendly, meaningful things to do in Lagos.

Wander through shaded trails, picnic spots, and bamboo groves, or visit the animal sanctuary where rescued donkeys, monkeys, and parrots live in peaceful enclosures. The park also features eco-education zones, a forest therapy walk, and the iconic Lake Moses—a small lake ideal for reflective moments or casual photography.

More than a park, LUFASI is a green protest against the vanishing wild spaces in urban Nigeria—and a rare example of ecological education done right.

18. Dine at Yellow Chilli

📍 Location: 27 Oju Olobun Close, Victoria Island & 35 Joel Ogunnaike St, Ikeja

For a taste of Lagos that's equal parts comfort and sophistication, book a table at Yellow Chilli. This polished but unpretentious restaurant turns Nigerian classics into artfully plated dishes—ofada rice with designer stew, seafood okra, pepper soup, and their famous jollof rice fiesta served in a sizzling skillet.

Whether you're winding down after a day of exploring or planning a special night out, Yellow Chilli brings flavor and finesse to every plate.

The vibe is cool, the service is sharp, and the food hits with a mix of nostalgia and reinvention.

19. Indulge at Hans and Rene Gelato

📍 Location: Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island + select branches in Lagos

Lagos heat meets its match at Hans and René, the city’s go-to gelato spot where cold treats feel like a small luxury. Walk into the sleek, glass-fronted space and you’re met with rows of handcrafted gelato in bold, unexpected flavors—zobo sorbet, malted milk, agbalumo, and Nigerian coffee all swirl alongside classic chocolate and pistachio.

This isn’t just dessert—it’s Lagos creativity in a cup. Each scoop is rich, smooth, and balanced, made in small batches with local ingredients and a lot of heart. The vibe is minimalist and cool, the branding on point, and the flavors unforgettable.

Grab a seat by the water at the Radisson Blu or stroll the Lagos Island night with a cone in hand. It’s sweet, stylish, and a perfect pause between adventures.

20. Explore Muri Okunola Park

📍 Location: Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

In the middle of Lagos’ constant motion, Muri Okunola Park is a rare pocket of stillness—a place to catch your breath without leaving the city. Neatly manicured lawns stretch between palm trees and flowerbeds, while shaded benches offer front-row seats to people-watching, impromptu photo shoots, and midday escapees on lunch break.

On weekdays, it’s peaceful. On weekends, it transforms into a hub of activity—fitness boot camps, art markets, live music, food pop-ups, and open-air events that give the park its pulse. You’ll see joggers circling the perimeter, families spreading out picnic blankets, and Lagosians of all kinds taking a break from the grind.

It’s clean, safe, and open to all—one of the few green spaces in VI that feels both public and personal.

21. Play at Upbeat Recreation Centre

📍 Location: 11 Admiralty Road, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos

If you’ve had your fill of museums and marketplaces and you're craving some movement, Upbeat Recreation Centre is the spot to burn off energy and have serious fun doing it. This state-of-the-art indoor facility features wall-to-wall trampolines, foam pits, ninja courses, climbing walls, and even fitness classes for adults.

Kids can bounce around in supervised zones while adults join in—or grab a smoothie and chill in the café. For travelers with kids, it's one of the best family-friendly things to do in Lagos, especially on hot or rainy days when outdoor plans fall through.

It’s clean, well-managed, and adrenaline-packed—all in the heart of Lekki.

22. Adventure at Lekki Leisure Lake

📍 Location: Opposite Prince Ebeano Supermarket, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos

Part beach club, part adventure park, Lekki Leisure Lake is the kind of spot where you can chill or thrill—depending on your mood. Nestled beside the Lekki Lagoon, this waterfront escape offers everything from jet skiing, quad biking, and pedal boats to beach volleyball and cabana lounging.

It’s ideal for groups, couples, or anyone looking for outdoor excitement that doesn’t require leaving the city. You can come for a few hours or spend the whole day soaking in the sun, breeze, and the occasional splash from a jet ski.

23. Visit the Upside Down House

📍 Location: Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos

What’s it like?

The Upside Down House in Lagos isn’t just a photo stop—it’s a surreal, walk-in illusion that bends logic and flips your sense of direction. Step inside and find an entire home suspended above you: beds, sofas, dining tables, even curtains—all mounted to the ceiling. The floor? Above your head.

Every room is designed for one thing: disorientation that makes you grin. Snap shots that look like you're floating midair or standing on the ceiling. The layout is simple, but the effect is wildly effective—and strangely satisfying.

It’s a short visit, but it punches above its weight in creativity. Kids love it. Teens snap selfies. Adults can’t help but grin. And it’s a hit for birthday shoots and TikToks alike.

24. Tour Glover Memorial Hall

📍 Location: 4 Glover Road, Lagos Island

Few buildings in Lagos can claim as much cultural weight as Glover Memorial Hall. Named after British colonial administrator Sir John Hawley Glover, this stately, colonial-era hall has hosted everything from jazz concerts and school plays to town meetings and independence-era debates.

Today, it remains a hub for Lagos’ creative class—staging everything from Nollywood premieres and poetry slams to Yoruba-language theater and musical showcases. The architecture has been lovingly preserved, and stepping inside is like walking back into the pages of Nigerian history.

25. Explore Idumota Market

📍 Location: Lagos Island, near Carter Bridge and Nnamdi Azikiwe Street

Stepping into Idumota Market is like entering the beating heart of Lagos Island. The crowds are dense, the stalls stacked to the skies, and the sensory overload? Total. If you want to experience Lagos the way locals live it, this is one of the most authentic (and intense) places to go.

You’ll find everything here—from cheap electronics and household goods to fabrics, wigs, wedding supplies, and DVDs of old Nollywood films. It’s less curated than Balogun Market and more chaotic—but that’s also what makes it unforgettable.

Navigating Idumota is a full-contact sport. Be ready to haggle, sweat, and keep moving. But if you're up for it, the rewards include unique finds, unforgettable characters, and a front-row seat to Lagos' unfiltered commerce.

26. Attend a Festival

📍 Location: Varies by event (Lagos Island, Tafawa Balewa Square, Bar Beach, etc.)

To really feel the spirit of Lagos, you have to join the celebration. The city’s festivals are loud, proud, and deeply rooted in tradition.

If you’re in town during the Lagos Carnival, expect parades, elaborate costumes, dance troupes, and a multicultural mash-up of Brazil-meets-Yoruba energy. For something more sacred and dramatic, the Eyo Festival features white-robed masqueraders called Eyo gliding through the streets with staffs, paying homage to the city’s ancestors in a moving, once-in-a-lifetime procession.

Other festivals like Felabration (celebrating Fela Kuti), GTBank Fashion Weekend, or Art X Lagos showcase Lagos' edge in music, fashion, and creativity. Time your trip right, and you’ll catch a version of Lagos that can’t be bottled or repeated.

27. Visit the National Theatre

📍 Location: Iganmu, Lagos Mainland

Few buildings in Nigeria are as iconic—or as symbolic—as the National Theatre. With its UFO-meets-Brutalist architecture and massive 5,000-seat main hall, this monumental structure stands as a proud emblem of Nigeria’s post-independence cultural ambition.

Inside, you’ll find rotating exhibitions, theater performances, dance shows, and film screenings celebrating both traditional and contemporary Nigerian arts. Even when quiet, the space feels sacred—echoing decades of storytelling, celebration, and resistance.

28. Relax at Whispering Palms Resort

📍 Location: Iworo/Ajido Town, Badagry, Lagos

When you need a break from the madness of the city, Whispering Palms Resort delivers a peaceful coastal escape with a side of cultural insight. Located about two hours from central Lagos in Badagry, this beachside retreat offers charming accommodations, swaying coconut trees, and a view of the lagoon that seems to melt stress on sight.

Enjoy paddle boating, a bike ride, or explore the on-site museum, which includes exhibits on Badagry’s slave trade history and Yoruba culture. It’s family-friendly, couple-friendly, and perfect for a quiet reset.

29. Golf at Lakowe Lakes

📍 Location: Km 35, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lakowe, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos

Tucked away on the outskirts of Lagos, Lakowe Lakes offers a calm, green world far from the city’s chaos. This 18-hole championship course isn’t just for golfers—it’s a designed experience that blends precision sport with scenic indulgence. Think rolling fairways, reflective lakes, and palm-lined paths under a sky that always feels wider here.

The course was designed to challenge seasoned players, but it’s also welcoming to beginners. Golf carts hum across perfectly trimmed greens, while caddies offer tips like local sages of the sport. After your game, unwind at the clubhouse with a cold drink and a front-row view of the water.

It’s peaceful, professional, and polished without feeling cold. At Lakowe, the pace slows, your swing matters, and the Lagos skyline feels a world away.

30. Unwind at Jara Beach Resort

📍 Location: Museyo, Eleko, Ibeju-Lekki (about 1.5 hours from VI)

Think of Jara Beach Resort as your reward at the end of a long Lagos week. Nestled on a quiet stretch of Eleko Beach, this boutique beachfront property is all about relaxation with intention: hammocks swaying in the breeze, gourmet meals served alfresco, and mojitos arriving just when you need them.

You can come for the day or stay overnight in one of their eco-luxe chalets. Either way, you’re signing up for a curated coastal escape that blends Nigerian hospitality with resort-level amenities.

Conclusion

Lagos isn’t a place you visit. It’s a place you feel—in your feet on the dance floor, in your hands bargaining in the market, in your chest as the waves hit the shore at Tarkwa Bay, and in your heart as a street performer plays highlife under the sunset.

From sipping gelato in Lekki to tracing history in Badagry, Lagos wraps its arms around you with 30 unforgettable things to do—loud and soulful, peaceful and poetic, chaotic and utterly alive. It’s not a city you control; it’s one you surrender to.

Whether you’re here for a weekend or a lifetime, there’s always one more neighborhood to explore, one more jollof-fueled night to dance through, one more reason to fall in love with this ever-evolving city.

So pack your curiosity—and your camera. Lagos is ready when you are.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Lagos known for?

Lagos is known for its vibrant energy, cultural diversity, and unmatched creative spirit. It’s Nigeria’s commercial and entertainment capital—famous for Afrobeat music, Nollywood films, bustling markets, and a fast-paced lifestyle. From beach resorts to urban nightlife, Lagos is a city that never sleeps.

2. Is Lagos worth visiting?

Absolutely. Lagos offers a unique blend of culture, history, adventure, and luxury. Whether you're exploring the floating village of Makoko, attending a concert at Freedom Park, or relaxing at a beach resort like Jara, Lagos delivers an unforgettable travel experience—especially for those open to the raw, real beauty of African cities.

3. What are the best times to visit Lagos, Nigeria?

The best time to visit Lagos is during the dry season, from November to March. You’ll avoid heavy rains and enjoy ideal weather for beach outings, festivals, and exploring the city. December is especially festive, with concerts, fashion events, and art shows lighting up the city.

4. How far is Lekki from Lagos Mainland?

Lekki is about 20 to 30 kilometers from Lagos Mainland, depending on your exact start and end points. Travel time can vary wildly due to traffic—it could take 45 minutes to 2 hours by car. If you’re heading to Lekki for beach resorts or galleries, plan your travel outside of peak rush hours.

5. Is Lagos safe for tourists?

Lagos can be safe for tourists if you take common-sense precautions. Stick to well-known areas like Victoria Island, Lekki, and Ikoyi, and avoid wandering into unfamiliar neighborhoods alone, especially at night. Use trusted transportation apps or hotel-recommended drivers, and stay alert in crowded markets.

6. What’s the weather like in Lagos?

Lagos has a tropical climate with two main seasons: wet and dry. Expect hot and humid weather year-round, with temperatures typically ranging from 25°C to 33°C (77°F to 91°F). The rainy season runs from April to October, while the dry season (November to March) is sunnier and more popular for travel.