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© Joshua Oluwagbemiga

Lagos

Awarded Top 10 city to travel to in 2022

About Best In Travel 2022

The economic and cultural powerhouse of the country thanks to an influx of oil money, Lagos has an exploding arts and music scene that will keep your yansh engaged far past dawn. If you're headed to Nigeria, you'll have no choice but to jump right in.

Named after the Portuguese word for lagoon, Lagos has been a Yoruba port, a British political center and, until 1991, Nigeria's capital.

Lagos: Voted Top 10 City as Best in Travel 2022

Harnessing the expertise of our collective of travel aficionados we present a list of must-see destinations, places, and immeasurable experiences to inspire the traveler within. Here’s how we choose the winners.

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Lagos.

  • See

    Lekki Conservation Centre

    Run by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, this centre has a huge tract of wetlands set aside for wildlife viewing. Canopy walkways enable you to see monkeys, crocodiles and various birds; early morning is the best time to visit. There is a conservation centre and a library.

  • See

    Nike Art Gallery

    One of Nigeria's most important artists, Nike Okundaye, runs this enormous gallery full of contemporary and traditional Nigerian arts. Nike herself is practically an incarnation of love and beauty, which is reflected in this astonishing four-storey space. If you're lucky she'll be there and may grace you with a new Yoruba name. There's a small cafe in the grounds.

  • See

    Terra Kulture

    Close to Bar Beach, this welcoming arts centre with a high bamboo roof has a traditional restaurant which is one of the best and most attractive places to eat in town: try the catfish with pounded yam and spicy soup. There's an art gallery, a bookshop with funky crafts, literary readings and events, and a theatre.

  • See

    Lekki Market

    A rich variety of crafts from all around Nigeria and West Africa: this is a brilliant place to wander and look for affordable gifts. You can also buy fabrics and get clothes run up on the spot here.

  • See

    Kalakuta Republic Museum

    Legendary musician Fela Kuti's former house and revolutionary headquarters is now a fascinating museum with everything intact from Fela's bedroom to his (very small) underwear. Breath deep and you may even catch a high. And hang around on the rooftop terrace and you might catch a band rehearsal or performance.

  • See

    African Artists' Foundation

    An organisation supporting young African and international artists with a great gallery of contemporary Nigerian art.

  • See

    National Museum

    The museum has some amazing artefacts, though the presentation is a little dishevelled. The Cycle of Life exhibit explores traditional Nigerian life, from birth to death to afterlife. Exhibits include a clay Yoruba pot to bury an umbilical cord and an Egungun masquerade costume used for dancing during a chief's funeral; the voluminous orange cape has sequins, coins and beads attached.

  • See

    Tafawa Balewa Square

    Named for Nigeria's first prime minister, this is Lagos' commercial heart and has some remarkable monuments. They include statues of gargantuan horses, the Remembrance Arcade (with memorials to WWI, WWII and civil-war victims) and the 26-storey Independence House, built in 1963.

  • See

    Eleko Beach

    The favourite with fashionable Lagosians is Eleko Beach, a big 60km trip east of the city. You can rent a beach hut for the day here, and get someone to make a barbeque for you. There's also a small market selling interesting art. You'll need to hire a drop taxi to get there.

Featured videos

The Local's Guide To Lagos Nigeria: The BEST Music, Nightlife and Fashion

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