For Art Lovers
Lagos wears its creativity proudly, and nowhere is that more visible than at Nike Art Gallery, one of the largest art collection institutions in West Africa, featuring four storeys of contemporary and traditional works bursting with colour, movement, and meaning. It’s the kind of place where you can happily lose many hours.
Just down the road, the Lekki Art & Craft Market offers a more grassroots encounter. This is where you’ll find artisans hawking hand-carved masks, jewellery, textiles, and paintings.
“It’s one of the biggest in West Africa,” says Yusuf Sesay, Executive Assistant Manager – Commercial at Radisson Blu.
For Nature Lovers
If you want to escape the loudness of Lagos, step into the Lekki Conservation Centre, where you’ll hear birdsong instead. This oasis spans 78 hectares of lush greenery and offers a serene alternative to the city’s hustle and bustle.
The star attraction is Africa’s longest canopy walkway. Suspended high above the forest, it delivers sweeping views of wetlands and wildlife, with monkeys often stealing the show with their brazen acrobatics.
Yusuf notes, “It gives you a different perspective of Lagos. It’s also one of the few places in the city where you can actually feel surrounded by nature and escape from the rush that Lagos is known for.”
For Beach Lovers
The clue is in the name: Lagos is a lagoon city, kissed by the Atlantic Ocean. Beach-hopping is practically a civic duty here! Elegushi Beach, close to Victoria Island, is as lively as they come, and you can expect music, football matches, and sizzling suya (spiced meat skewers) sold right off the grill.
For quieter shores, a short boat ride whisks you to Ilashe Beach or Tarkwa Bay, where powdery sands and warm waves will make you forget you’re anywhere near a metroplex of 20-plus million. This location is where Lagos likes to reveal its softer side, with a chilled coconut in hand, and the surf rolling in.
For Music Lovers
No Lagos itinerary is worthwhile without a pilgrimage to The New Afrika Shrine. The spiritual home of Afrobeat, it carries the rebellious energy of the late Fela Kuti while doubling as a modern performance space. This is where you’ll find smoke swirls, drums thunder, and brass sections punctuating the night with infectious rhythms.
It’s not slick or sanitised, and that’s the point. The Shrine is made up of all the raw elements of Lagos: defiance, joy, and pulsating bodies. Music lovers will leave with a concert memory and a crash course in the city’s soul.
“You can’t talk about Lagos without mentioning The New Afrika Shrine,” adds Yusuf. “It’s Fela’s place and still carries that Afrobeat heritage and vibe.”
For History Lovers
History buffs will be busy making a beeline for Onikan Road, home to Nigeria’s National Museum. The collection spans everything from Nok terracottas to Benin bronzes, each piece singing stories of kingdoms and culture predating colonial borders. The surrounding neighbourhood is equally rewarding, peppered with historic landmarks like the old National Stadium.
For deeper resonance, take a day trip westward to Badagry, once a major slave port. Walking the route from the town’s museum to the hauntingly named “Point of No Return” on the beach is sobering. It is,however, essential.
Ayodele Omotoso, CEO of Destination magazine (previously Travelogue magazine), recommends it as a must-see: “In Badagry, you experience the heritage sites and the painful history of the slave routes. It’s a powerful reminder of the past that every visitor should witness.”
For Nightlife and Food Lovers
When the sun dips, Lagos flicks on its neon halo. The city is a feast in every sense: smoky roadside suya stands, sophisticated rooftop lounges, and restaurants serving everything from fiery pepper soup to sweet puff-puffs. Nigerians don’t do bland, so brace yourself for spice levels that make your taste buds sit up straight.
“Almost every day feels like a day to be out,” says Yusuf. “From lounges to clubs, there’s always somewhere to go and the right crowd to enjoy it with.”
Lagos is a heady mix of chaos and captivation. It’s Africa’s megacity of music, art, and ambition, where a morning might start on a canopy walk and end on a dance floor.
Where to Stay — The Best 3 Hotels in Lagos
Even the most spirited traveller needs a plush base to relax, unwind, and prepare to do another day in Lagos. Here are our three most highly-rated hotels to stay in Lagos.
Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel
Floating on the edge of Victoria Island’s lagoon, Radisson Blu feels like a sleek cruiser anchored in the city’s heart. The infinity pool leans into water views, and rooms come with all the modern touches international travellers expect. The terrace is perfect for sundowners.
Eko Hotel & Suites
Eko Hotel is practically an ecosystem. With multiple restaurants, conference spaces, a poolside stage, and an ever-changing roster of events, it’s a destination in its own right. Business travellers, celebrities, and leisure seekers all cross paths here.
The George
For boutique luxury, The George delivers discretion and design. Located in leafy Ikoyi, it offers tranquillity without cutting you off from the city’s action. Expect high-thread-count sheets and a polished art collection.
Offering a comparison of the three hotels, Ayodele notes: “Radisson Blu will give you a grand experience, but Eko Hotel is also a destination in itself, as well as a hub of business and leisure. And for discreet boutique luxury, The George is hard to beat.”
