Lagos City
Discover Lagos City
Lagos (Yoruba: Èkó) is the most populous city in Nigeria, spreading out across two main islands and onto the mainland. It is the country's financial capital, and is famous throughout Africa for its music scene. Lagos has a vibrant nightlife. It is the centre of the Nigerian movie industry, often referred to as 'Nollywood'. The main districts in Lagos State are the mainland, Greater Lagos and the Islands. Three major bridges join the island to the mainland. They are the Carter Bridge which starts from Iddo Island, the Eko Bridge (formerly called the Second Mainland Bridge), and the Third Mainland Bridge, which passes through densely populated mainland suburbs through Lagos lagoon.
What to Experience in Lagos City
Famous Beaches
Taste of Lagos City...
There are several restaurants in Lagos. The restaurants are of several types. Sherlaton has outlets in two places. One in the mainland (Hotel Newcastle, Antony Village) and another in VI (Hotel Cumberland, Adeola Odeku St) You can always find amazing places to chill with friends and family in Lagos, and these drinking spots are affordable. Lagos has a lot of great hotels and many more are being built. There are many 4 star hotels for the price of a 3 star hotel. For visitors, try to get a hotel on Victoria Island as a lot of the tourist attractions are on the Victoria Island. In general, Lagos has become a much safer place to visit than before, with the state spending huge budgets on security with police patrol cars, CCTV cameras (though this isn't always the case). etc. But beware of deals or businesses that sound too good to be true (especially e-mails soliciting your help), and do not openly flaunt your possessions, especially in public places. While it is rare for a tourist to be a victim of a violent crime, it is still wise to stay safe and be alert, especially during late night outings. Stick to crowded streets and make sure to go out in groups as against going out alone. Lagosians are generally nice and friendly people, most of whom will readily offer directions to you if you are lost. Lagos still has its fair share of street beggars (both the old and young), people with psychological disorders, etc.
Climate
The wet season is overcast in Lagos, the dry season is sometimes cloudy, and it is very hot and oppressive year round. The average temperature in Lagos is 26.7 °C | 80.0 °F. Approximately 1783 mm | 70.2 inch of rainfall occurs on a yearly basis. Lagos is close (about 100 km) to the border with Benin. Should you fly out of the International Airport in Lagos, arrive early, especially close to weekends and festive days, as the security has been beefed up significantly (you need to have your passport and ticket to enter the airport departure area) since the December 2009 liquid explosive incident where the terrorist started his journey from Murtala Muhammed International Airport. For foreigners, the immigration process can be tedious and slow as there are two immigration officials at each desk (presumably to reduce corruption). Nigerians and the West African (ECOWAS) passport holders receive first priority. Families with young children and disabled people are normally also given priority.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsLagos is close (about 100 km) to the border with Benin. Should you fly out of the International Airport in Lagos, arrive early, especially close to weekends and festive days, as the security has been beefed up significantly (you need to have your passport and ticket to enter the airport departure area) since the December 2009 liquid explosive incident where the terrorist started his journey from Murtala Muhammed International Airport. For foreigners, the immigration process can be tedious and slow as there are two immigration officials at each desk (presumably to reduce corruption). Nigerians and the West African (ECOWAS) passport holders receive first priority. Families with young children and disabled people are normally also given priority. When filling in the arrival card for immigration you must have an address in Nigeria and a Nigerian contact number - they have been known to call this number to verify that you are expected....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
If traveling around Lagos, be sure to be accompanied by a tourist guide who is familiar with the routes. In Lagos, there are street signs on every single street corner making it easy to locate places and landmarks. With the city spending huge budgets on security, there has been a huge reduction in crime generally. For the most part, it's safe to move about during the day. If you are going out at night, be sure to go in groups, and stick to known routes. If you are not on a tight budget, you should hire a car and driver, usually available from most of the major hotels and the airport. The price will be around ₦1,000-2,000 per hour, you will be expected to haggle. Talk to the drivers and find one you think will be able to communicate best with as they will be able to tell you things about the places you pass. Lagos's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines run in segregated lanes and thus run faster than private cars stuck in traffic. The buses are coloured red or blue.
Where to Stay
Lagos has a lot of great hotels and many more are being built. There are many 4 star hotels for the price of a 3 star hotel. For visitors, try to get a hotel on Victoria Island as a lot of the tourist attractions are on the Victoria Island. In general, Lagos has become a much safer place to visit than before, with the state spending huge budgets on security with police patrol cars, CCTV cameras (though this isn't always the case). etc. But beware of deals or businesses that sound too good to be true (especially e-mails soliciting your help), and do not openly flaunt your possessions, especially in public places. While it is rare for a tourist to be a victim of a violent crime, it is still wise to stay safe and be alert, especially during late night outings. Stick to crowded streets and make sure to go out in groups as against going out alone. Lagosians are generally nice and friendly people, most of whom will readily offer directions to you if you are lost.
Money & Budget
Unless you are in a supermarket or restaurant/bar with fixed prices, you will be expected to negotiate the price you pay for an item down to the lowest the vendor would sell. When you are stuck in traffic, expect to see hawkers selling anything from potatoes to drinks. Expect any brand names in these informal markets to be fake, and should you wish to purchase them aim for a very low price. If you hold a Visa, MasterCard or Maestro credit/debit card you can withdraw cash in Naira from various ATMs around Lagos. Visa machines can be found at Standard Chartered Bank. MasterCard/Maestro machines are found in Ecobank and some Zenith Bank branches. Foreign currency, U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, or euros can be exchanged in various places, usually near large hotels and the airport.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
In general, Lagos has become a much safer place to visit than before, with the state spending huge budgets on security with police patrol cars, CCTV cameras (though this isn't always the case). etc. But beware of deals or businesses that sound too good to be true (especially e-mails soliciting your help), and do not openly flaunt your possessions, especially in public places. While it is rare for a tourist to be a victim of a violent crime, it is still wise to stay safe and be alert, especially during late night outings. Stick to crowded streets and make sure to go out in groups as against going out alone. Lagosians are generally nice and friendly people, most of whom will readily offer directions to you if you are lost. Lagos still has its fair share of street beggars (both the old and young), people with psychological disorders, etc. If someone approaches Lagosians for money, what most of them do is ignore the person or continue to walk at a brisk pace.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Lagos City
Lagos Island Idumota view
A pretty distance.
Lekki Ikoyi Link Bridge Lagos Nigeria
Lagos City
This picture was taken from the pedestrian bridge at Alapere, Lagos. It documents the busy city of Lagos.
This was such a colorful scene that I could not resist the urge to take this photo.
Carter Bridge, Lagos Nigeria
city skyline at daytime
Oshodi Bus Terminal 1, Lagos Nigeria
Welcome to Lagos Nigeria
Lagos Island Idumota view
A pretty distance.
Lekki Ikoyi Link Bridge Lagos Nigeria