Lagos in 7 days

Africa's biggest, loudest, most ambitious megacity - Afrobeats, hustle and unstoppable energy. Best time to visit: November-March (dry season). Average daily budget: $50 to $120 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Victoria Island (VI), Business and upscale hub - hotels, restaurants, galleries and nightlife. The easiest base.

Morning: Nike Art Gallery. A vast five-storey Lekki gallery packed with thousands of Nigerian artworks - and a generous host.

Afternoon: Explore Victoria Island (VI), Business and upscale hub - hotels, restaurants, galleries and nightlife. The easiest base.

Evening: Live Afrobeats night. The New Afrika Shrine (Fela Kuti's legacy) or a VI club - experience the music at its source.

Eat: Jollof rice (Nigeria's pride in the great debate)

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Lekki, Modern, fast-growing peninsula with beaches, the conservation centre, malls and cafes.

Morning: Lekki Conservation Centre. West Africa's longest canopy walkway over protected wetland, a green break from the city.

Afternoon: Explore Lekki, Modern, fast-growing peninsula with beaches, the conservation centre, malls and cafes.

Evening: Beach day on the islands. Tarkwa Bay (by boat) or a Lekki beach club for sand, music and seafood.

Eat: Suya (spiced grilled meat skewers) at night

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Ikoyi, Leafy, affluent and calmer - fine dining, embassies and some of the city's best hotels.

Morning: Jazzhole, a beloved record-and-book cafe on Awolowo Road.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Ikoyi, Leafy, affluent and calmer - fine dining, embassies and some of the city's best hotels.

Evening: Tarkwa Bay, a sheltered, car-free beach reachable only by boat.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Pounded yam with egusi soup

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Lagos Island, The historic, chaotic commercial core - markets, old architecture and frenetic energy.

Morning: Terra Kulture for Nigerian theatre, art and a great Naija restaurant.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Lagos Island, The historic, chaotic commercial core - markets, old architecture and frenetic energy.

Evening: Balogun and Lekki markets for fabric and crafts (go with a local guide).. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Puff-puff and chin chin snacks

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Yaba / Surulere, Mainland creative and tech hubs - student energy, music history and street food.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Yaba / Surulere, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Yaba / Surulere, Mainland creative and tech hubs - student energy, music history and street food.

Evening: Dinner at Jollof rice (Nigeria's pride in the great debate), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Yaba / Surulere.

Eat: Jollof rice (Nigeria's pride in the great debate)

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Victoria Island (VI), Business and upscale hub - hotels, restaurants, galleries and nightlife. The easiest base.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Victoria Island (VI), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Victoria Island (VI), Business and upscale hub - hotels, restaurants, galleries and nightlife. The easiest base.

Evening: Dinner at Suya (spiced grilled meat skewers) at night, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Victoria Island (VI).

Eat: Suya (spiced grilled meat skewers) at night

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Lekki, Modern, fast-growing peninsula with beaches, the conservation centre, malls and cafes.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Lekki, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Lekki, Modern, fast-growing peninsula with beaches, the conservation centre, malls and cafes.

Evening: Dinner at Pounded yam with egusi soup, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Lekki.

Eat: Pounded yam with egusi soup

Hidden gems

Jazzhole, a beloved record-and-book cafe on Awolowo Road.
Tarkwa Bay, a sheltered, car-free beach reachable only by boat.
Terra Kulture for Nigerian theatre, art and a great Naija restaurant.
Balogun and Lekki markets for fabric and crafts (go with a local guide).

Getting around

Use ride apps like Uber and Bolt rather than street taxis, and plan around the notorious traffic by grouping island activities together and mainland ones separately. Boats (ferries and water taxis) are a smart way to skip gridlock between waterfront points. A trusted local driver is invaluable for a packed itinerary.

Safety

Lagos needs more caution than most destinations but is visited safely with local know-how. Use ride apps door-to-door, keep phones and valuables out of sight (especially in traffic), avoid displaying wealth, and don't walk around at night or explore unfamiliar mainland areas alone. Going with a local guide or host hugely smooths the experience.

Lagos in 3 days | Lagos in 5 days | Full Lagos guide