The mega city and gateway
Most international trips begin in Lagos, home to Murtala Muhammed International Airport. It is loud, fast, creative and endlessly surprising: galleries in Ikoyi, Afrobeat at the New Afrika Shrine, boat rides to quiet beaches and some of the best food in West Africa. Give it at least three or four days, and plan a day trip to the slave trade sites at Badagry.
The calm capital
Abuja was built in the 1980s to replace Lagos as the capital. It is green, orderly and far more relaxed, framed by the granite domes of Aso Rock and Zuma Rock. Many diaspora visitors and business travellers fly here directly, and it is a gentler first landing for nervous travellers.
The south eastern coast
Calabar is one of Nigeria's cleanest and friendliest cities, with colonial era museums, drill monkey conservation, famous Efik cooking and the Calabar Carnival every December. Fly in rather than drive, and check current advice for the wider Cross River State.
The Yoruba heartland
Two easy trips from Lagos show the depth of Yoruba culture. Abeokuta is a short drive north, with the views from Olumo Rock and the indigo dyed adire cloth markets of Itoku. Further inland, Osogbo is home to the UNESCO listed Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove, a forest of shrines and sculptures, and the huge Osun festival each August.
How to combine them
A first week usually pairs Lagos with Abeokuta and Badagry. With ten days to two weeks, add Osogbo by road or fly to Abuja or Calabar. Domestic flights save long, tiring drives, and our free trip planner can help you build a route that keeps to the well travelled areas. For specific spots to eat, stay and explore, see places to visit.