Lagos: Portuguese for "lakes"
Lagos (literally, Portuguese for “lakes) is the commercial capital and the largest city of Nigeria. Situated along a lagoon by the Atlantic Ocean and spread over mainland Nigeria, Lagos Island and Victoria Island, Lagos is one of the better developed cities in Africa. The city is full of life and optimism, and it would not be far from the truth to say that the most underrated of all the Lagos tourist attractions is the city’s excellent nightlife.
Places to Visit in Lagos
Lagos is home to a plethora of tourist attractions from both the colonial and the modern day eras. Perhaps, the most prominent among these is the the Central Mosque and the Oba’s Palace. The National Museum, which gives a detailed account of Nigeria’s history throughout the ages, is also a definite must-see.
The huge National Theatre is an excellent place to check out Nigerian and African art and crafts. The Victoria Island is the heart of the city’s business and shopping activities, and is a definite must-visit if you want to experience urban Africa as it should be.
In the vicinity of Lagos are located several beach resorts, the most popular among which are Bar Beach and Lekki Beach. The Lekki Conservation Centre is located a short distance away from Nigeria, and is an excellent place to see Nigerian wildlife including monkeys, crocodiles and numerous species of birds.
Lagos: Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
Lagos is generally safe for tourists, but it is advisable that certain areas be avoided after dark. Needless to stay, usual precautions such as keeping valuables out of sight, etc., need to be taken. Further, while visiting game areas, one should (and rightly so) follow the guide’s instructions and not feed anything to wild animals.
Lagos is one of the most developed metropolises in Africa (outside of South Africa). The city is vibrant and has a very good nightlife as it is home to a multitude of restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, bars, discos, etc. Lagos is also home to many casinos, and has a very active music and theatre scene. The football (soccer) scene in Lagos is very active and it would not be a bad idea to catch a game or two if you are a fan.
English is the other official language of Nigeria and as such, is fairly common; Yoruba, however, is more widely spoken. The local currency is Nigerian naira (NGN). The local cuisine is rich and draws influences from a variety of cuisines and places. What’s more, it freely is available at very affordable prices. Lagos has a large number of medium-scale eateries for all types of cuisines, and is also home to some of the continent’s best and most prolific restaurants.
Best time to visit Lagos
The best time to visit Lagos is from December to March.
Best way to reach Lagos
- By Air: Lagos has a well-equipped international airport, and is one of the regional air-travel hubs.
- By Rail: Lagos is one of the more important railway stations in Nigeria.
- By Road: Lagos is well connected to all national and regional destinations and popular attractions. Further, Lagos, being Nigeria’s commercial capital, also offers comfortable transport options for almost all of the nearby Nigeria attractions.
Accommodation
The Lagos accommodation scene is very active and wide enough to cater to all budgets and needs. Further, many local and international tour operators offer Lagos vacation package tours. These tours cover most of the Lagos tourist destinations, but do not carry the element of risk and adventure that going solo does.