Obudu Mountain Resort, NigeriaPhoto: Ei'eke, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Nigeria
Nigeria, made simple: big energy, great food and deep culture, without the worry
Nigeria is Africa's most populous country and its cultural powerhouse: the home of Afrobeats, Nollywood, jollof debates and some of the most exciting art on the continent. Lagos never sleeps, Abuja is calm and green, Calabar throws Africa's biggest street party and the Yoruba heartland keeps sacred groves and ancient crafts alive. This guide takes the guesswork out of entry, money, safety, getting around and costs, so you can plan with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyVisa, yellow fever, money and seasons, answered
- LandingLagos or Abuja airport and your first hours, explained
- Your days in NigeriaCity, coast, culture and festivals, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain what costs more and what costs less, so your budget holds.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Nigeria has a big reputation, and much of the worry comes from not knowing what to expect. We answer the questions before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
First time in West Africa, or coming home to see family in Lagos, Enugu or the village? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your NigeriaNightlife and art in Lagos, calm in Abuja, carnival in Calabar, sacred groves in Osogbo or rock and indigo cloth in Abeokuta: start with the destinations.
- Sort the essentialsVisa, yellow fever certificate, cash and transfers, safety advice and the right season, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for bukas, galleries, beaches, markets and stays in each area.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to shape your days and how you move between them.
Everything your Nigeria trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Lagos, Abuja, Calabar, Osogbo and Abeokuta, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, galleries, beaches, markets and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Lagos and Abuja and stays in each area.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Nigeria trip
Lagos energy, Yoruba heritage and the Calabar coast
A first trip usually starts with several days in Lagos for galleries, beaches, food and live music, with a day trip to Badagry's slave trade sites. Add Abeokuta for Olumo Rock and adire cloth, Osogbo for the UNESCO listed sacred grove, or fly to Calabar for its museums, drill monkeys and the December carnival.
- Nike Art Gallery, Freedom Park and the New Afrika Shrine in Lagos
- The Point of No Return at Badagry
- Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove, UNESCO listed
- Calabar Carnival every December
Start with the destinations
See how Lagos, Abuja, Calabar, Osogbo and Abeokuta fit together.
Nigeria destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Nigeria is big, Lagos traffic is legendary and some regions are covered by government travel warnings. Our free planner helps you build a realistic route that keeps to the well travelled areas, so you spend your days enjoying places rather than sitting in the go slow.
- Realistic travel times
- The right season for your plans
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Nigeria
From the beaches and galleries of Lagos to the carnival streets of Calabar.
Lagos State
Lagos
Africa's most energetic city: art, music, beaches and food, and the main gateway to Nigeria.
Read the guidePhoto: FrankvEck, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Federal Capital Territory
Abuja
A green, planned capital framed by granite rocks, calmer and easier than Lagos.
Read the guidePhoto: Mark Fischer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cross River State
Calabar
A friendly, clean river city with colonial history, Efik cuisine and Africa's biggest street party.
Read the guidePhoto: Koutchika Lihouenou Gaspard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Osun State
Osogbo
A Yoruba town of sacred forest, sculpture and art, home to one of Africa's great festivals.
Read the guidePhoto: ExploreWithTunde, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ogun State
Abeokuta
A historic Egba town of granite rocks, royal palaces and indigo dyed adire cloth, close to Lagos.
Read the guidePhoto: AdeolaStudio, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Nigeria safe for visitors?
Most visitors spend their time in Lagos, Abuja and the south west without trouble, but Nigeria needs more care than many destinations. Several northern and Niger Delta states carry strong warnings for kidnapping and violence. Read your government's current travel advice before booking, keep to the areas it treats as lower risk and plan city transport in advance.
Do I need a visa for Nigeria?
Most visitors need a visa or an approved visa on arrival arranged online before travel, while ECOWAS citizens are exempt. Rules and systems vary by passport and have changed recently, so check the Nigeria Immigration Service and your nearest Nigerian embassy before you book.
What currency is used in Nigeria?
The Nigerian naira (NGN). Bank transfers and cards are widely used in cities, but cash is still needed for markets, small shops and tips. Foreign cards do not always work, so bring more than one way to pay.
What language is spoken?
English is the official language, so English speakers get around easily. Nigerian Pidgin is spoken everywhere, and Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo are the largest of hundreds of local languages.
When is the best time to visit?
November to February is the most popular time: drier, with festive December events in Lagos and Calabar, though the harmattan brings dusty haze. The rains fall roughly April to October in the south, with heavy downpours and flooding in Lagos.
How many days do I need?
A week covers Lagos with day trips to Badagry and Abeokuta. With ten days to two weeks you can add Osogbo, Abuja or a flight to Calabar.
Ready to plan your Nigeria trip?
Use the free trip planner to shape your route, or contact us with a question.