Nigeria · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Nigeria
These are the places worth your time in Nigeria, from the galleries, beaches and Afrobeat clubs of Lagos to the calm parks of Abuja, the carnival city of Calabar and the sacred grove of Osogbo. Classics sit beside lesser known corners, so every kind of traveller finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Lagos
Arts and Culture
- Nike Art Gallery (Lekki)
Five floors of Nigerian paintings, sculpture and textiles, often with Chief Nike Okundaye herself greeting visitors. - Freedom Park (Lagos Island)
A former colonial prison turned leafy arts park, with concerts, plays and food stalls. - Kalakuta Republic Museum (Ikeja)
Fela Kuti's former home, now a small museum with his clothes, instruments and a rooftop bar. - Badagry Heritage Museum (Badagry)
A moving museum in an old colonial building telling the story of the slave trade on this coast. - National Museum Lagos (Onikan)
Nigeria's national collection, with Nok terracottas and bronzes in a modest but rewarding building. - Terra Kulture (Victoria Island)
An arts centre with a restaurant, bookshop and theatre staging some of the best Nigerian plays and musicals. - Cathedral Church of Christ (Marina)
A handsome Gothic revival cathedral with deep roots in Lagos history. - Popo Aguda Brazilian Quarter (Lagos Island)
Faded houses built by freed people who returned from Brazil, a little known Atlantic story. - Rele Gallery (Ikoyi)
A leading contemporary gallery for young Nigerian and African artists. - Omenka Gallery (Ikoyi)
A respected gallery showing modern and contemporary African art. - Iga Idunganran (Lagos Island)
The palace of the Oba of Lagos, a historic seat of traditional authority. - Glover Memorial Hall (Lagos Island)
A colonial era hall that still hosts talks, exhibitions and cultural events.
Nature and Outdoors
- Lekki Conservation Centre (Lekki)
A green escape in the city, with boardwalks through wetland forest, monkeys and one of Africa's longest canopy walkways. - Tarkwa Bay Beach (Lagos Harbour)
A sheltered beach reached by boat from the city, calmer for swimming than the open Atlantic shore. - Elegushi Beach (Lekki)
A lively beach with music, horse rides, food and weekend crowds from across the city. - Muri Okunola Park (Victoria Island)
A shady green park for an easy walk, a picnic or a weekend event. - Johnson Jakande Tinubu Park (Ikeja)
A wide public park beside the state secretariat, with fountains and open lawns. - Ndubuisi Kanu Park (Ikeja)
A quieter park near Alausa with lawns and a calm break from mainland traffic. - Ilashe Beach (Ilashe)
A quieter beach reached by boat, with beach houses for a relaxed day away from the city. - Landmark Beach (Oniru)
An organised beach with loungers, food and activities, one of the easier beaches to visit.
Bars and Nightlife
- New Afrika Shrine (Ikeja)
The home of Afrobeat, where Femi and Seun Kuti play late into the night on their regular shows. - Rufus and Bee (Lekki)
A games bar with bowling, arcade games and food, fun for groups and families.
Shopping and Markets
- Lekki Arts and Crafts Market (Lekki)
Rows of stalls selling adire cloth, beads, carvings and bronzes, with friendly bargaining expected. - Balogun Market (Lagos Island)
The vast, loud heart of Lagos trading, best for fabrics and lace if you go with a local friend. - Alara (Victoria Island)
A striking concept store showcasing African fashion, design and art. - Jazzhole (Ikoyi)
A beloved bookshop and record store, perfect for Nigerian literature and old highlife vinyl. - Ikeja City Mall (Ikeja)
A large, air conditioned mall with shops, a cinema and food courts.
Things to Do
- Point of No Return (Badagry)
The walk across Gberefu Island to the beach where enslaved people were taken to the ships. - Upbeat Centre (Lekki)
A big indoor play centre with trampolines and games, ideal for a rainy day with children. - Tafawa Balewa Square (Lagos Island)
The historic parade ground where Nigeria's independence was marked. - Silverbird Galleria (Victoria Island)
A mall and cinema where Lagosians catch the latest Nollywood releases. - Lekki Ikoyi Link Bridge (Lekki)
A cable stayed bridge popular for evening walks and lagoon views. - Eko Atlantic (Victoria Island)
A new city rising on reclaimed land, showing how Lagos is pushing into the sea.
Restaurants
- Yellow Chilli (Victoria Island)
A smart, reliable place to try jollof, pepper soup and other Nigerian classics for the first time. - Amala Skye (Surulere)
A famous spot for amala with gbegiri and ewedu, where Lagosians of every kind queue for lunch. - Bukka Hut (Lekki)
A clean, friendly chain for jollof, ofada stew and pounded yam with egusi. - Shiro (Victoria Island)
A grand pan Asian restaurant with dramatic interiors, popular for celebrations. - RSVP Lagos (Victoria Island)
A stylish restaurant and bar with a terrace, a buzzy crowd and a modern menu. - Cactus Restaurant (Victoria Island)
A long running family favourite for big breakfasts, pizza and grills. - Jevinik Restaurant (Ikeja)
A popular spot for hearty Nigerian soups and swallows in generous portions.
Cafés
- Café Neo (Victoria Island)
A homegrown coffee chain serving African beans, good for a calm hour. - Hans and René (Ikoyi)
Gelato and sorbet in bold local flavours, a sweet stop on a hot afternoon.
Stays
- Bogobiri House (Ikoyi)
A small boutique hotel full of Nigerian art, with live music nights in its lounge. - Eko Hotels and Suites (Victoria Island)
A huge, well known hotel complex with pools and restaurants on Victoria Island. - The Wheatbaker (Ikoyi)
A quiet, elegant boutique hotel with contemporary art and calm leafy surroundings. - Federal Palace Hotel (Victoria Island)
A historic seafront hotel with sea views and a pool. - La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort (Ibeju Lekki)
A beach resort built in a traditional African village style, with forest and beach.
Events
- Lagos Fashion Week (Victoria Island)
The country's biggest fashion event each autumn, showcasing designers shaping African style. - Felabration (Ikeja)
A week of concerts each October celebrating Fela Kuti, centred on the New Afrika Shrine. - Eyo Festival (Lagos Island)
A rare and spectacular masquerade parade of white robed Eyo figures, held only on special occasions. - ART X Lagos (Victoria Island)
West Africa's leading contemporary art fair, each autumn.
Places to Visit in Abuja
Nature and Outdoors
- Aso Rock (Asokoro)
The great granite monolith over the capital, best admired from viewpoints around the city. - Zuma Rock (Madalla)
A huge rock on the road into Abuja, often called the gateway to the capital. - Millennium Park (Maitama)
Abuja's biggest park, with lawns, a stream and space for families to picnic. - Jabi Lake (Jabi)
A lakeside promenade with boat rides, horse rides and a relaxed weekend scene. - Usuma Dam (Bwari)
A quiet reservoir in the hills outside the city, for a scenic drive by day.
Arts and Culture
- Abuja National Mosque (Central Area)
A landmark mosque with a golden dome; dress modestly and ask about visiting outside prayer times. - National Christian Centre (Central Area)
A grand ecumenical church facing the mosque across the city centre. - Thought Pyramid Art Centre (Wuse 2)
A gallery and arts space showing contemporary Nigerian art.
Shopping and Markets
- Wuse Market (Wuse)
A large, busy market for food, fabric and everyday goods. - Garki International Market (Garki)
A busy market good for fabrics, tailors and everyday shopping. - Jabi Lake Mall (Jabi)
A modern lakeside mall with shops, restaurants and a cinema. - Ceddi Plaza (Central Area)
A central mall with a cinema and supermarket, handy for errands. - Utako Market (Utako)
A local market for fresh food, grains and everyday goods. - Dunes Centre (Maitama)
An upscale shopping centre for groceries and homeware.
Stays
- Transcorp Hilton Abuja (Maitama)
Abuja's best known hotel, with pools, restaurants and solid security. - Fraser Suites Abuja (Central Area)
Apartment style suites, good for longer stays and families. - Sheraton Abuja Hotel (Wuse)
A large hotel with gardens and pools, a long standing choice in the city.
Restaurants
- BluCabana (Maitama)
A poolside lounge and restaurant popular for evenings out with friends. - Cilantro (Wuse 2)
A popular Indian restaurant, a favourite of residents for years. - Wakkis (Wuse 2)
An Indian restaurant and bar beloved by Abuja residents. - Nkoyo (Wuse 2)
Nigerian and continental dishes in a relaxed setting, popular for local soups. - Mama Cass (Wuse 2)
A homely chain serving Nigerian favourites.
Bars and Nightlife
- Jabi Boat Club (Jabi)
A lakeside club for drinks and food with a view of the water.
Things to Do
- Silverbird Entertainment Centre (Central Area)
A cinema and entertainment centre for films and a night out. - Abuja City Gate (Airport Road)
The grand arch welcoming visitors to the capital, a popular photo stop. - Unity Fountain (Maitama)
A fountain and plaza with symbols of all of Nigeria's states.
Places to Visit in Calabar
Events
- Calabar Carnival (Calabar)
Africa's biggest street party each December, with costumed bands parading the city. - Calabar Christmas Festival (Calabar)
A month of concerts, parades and events across the city each December.
Arts and Culture
- Old Residency Museum (Calabar)
A prefabricated colonial building from the 1880s, now a museum of the region's history. - Slave History Museum (Marina Resort)
A museum telling the story of the slave trade in the Cross River region. - Mary Slessor's Grave (Calabar)
The resting place of the Scottish missionary still remembered across Calabar. - Duke Town Church (Duke Town)
One of Nigeria's oldest Presbyterian churches, a quiet historic stop.
Nature and Outdoors
- Drill Ranch (Calabar)
The Pandrillus sanctuary for the rare drill monkey, doing vital conservation work.
Things to Do
- Marina Resort (Calabar)
A waterfront complex with a museum, cinema and river views.
Shopping and Markets
- Watt Market (Calabar)
The city's main market, full of the fresh greens used in Efik soups. - Marian Market (Calabar)
A busy local market for food and everyday goods.
Stays
- Transcorp Hotels Calabar (Calabar)
A large, central hotel with a pool, a solid base in the city.
Places to Visit in Obudu
Stays
- Obudu Mountain Resort (Obudu Plateau)
A cool, misty mountain resort with a cable car and rolling grassland.
Places to Visit in Osogbo
Arts and Culture
- Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove (Osogbo)
A UNESCO listed forest of shrines and sculptures sacred to the river goddess Osun. - Adunni Olorisha Trust (Osogbo)
The art filled former home of Susanne Wenger, who helped restore the grove. - Nike Centre for Art and Culture (Osogbo)
An art centre and workshop where you can learn adire and batik. - Ataoja's Palace (Osogbo)
The palace of the town's traditional ruler, at the centre of Osogbo life.
Events
- Osun Osogbo Festival (Osogbo)
A huge annual festival each August with a procession to the river.
Shopping and Markets
- Oja Oba Market (Osogbo)
A local market by the palace, good for crafts, cloth and everyday life.
Places to Visit in Erin Ijesha
Nature and Outdoors
- Erin Ijesha Waterfalls (Erin Ijesha)
A multi tiered waterfall you can climb tier by tier for a refreshing swim.
Places to Visit in Ikogosi
Nature and Outdoors
- Ikogosi Warm Springs (Ikogosi)
A rare place where warm and cold springs meet in the forest.
Places to Visit in Ile Ife
Arts and Culture
- Ooni's Palace (Ile Ife)
The palace of the Ooni of Ife, sacred centre of Yoruba tradition.
Places to Visit in Abeokuta
Nature and Outdoors
- Olumo Rock (Abeokuta)
A granite outcrop used as a refuge in war, with sweeping views from the top.
Shopping and Markets
- Itoku Adire Market (Itoku)
The best place in Nigeria to buy adire, the city's indigo dyed cloth.
Arts and Culture
- Centenary Hall (Ake)
A colonial era hall built to mark the centenary of the town. - Ake Palace (Ake)
The palace of the Alake of Egbaland, with historic buildings. - Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (Oke Mosan)
A large library and museum complex on modern Nigerian history.
Places to Visit in Ibadan
Arts and Culture
- Cocoa House (Dugbe)
One of the first skyscrapers in tropical Africa, built from cocoa wealth. - Mapo Hall (Mapo)
A colonial hall on a hilltop in the old city, with views across Ibadan.
Things to Do
- Bower's Tower (Oke Are)
A hilltop tower with sweeping views over Ibadan's rust roofed sprawl. - University of Ibadan Zoological Garden (University of Ibadan)
A small zoo on Nigeria's oldest university campus.
Nature and Outdoors
- Agodi Gardens (Agodi)
A park with pools, gardens and a small zoo, ideal for families. - IITA Forest (IITA)
A quiet forest reserve on a research campus, good for birdwatching.
Shopping and Markets
- Bodija Market (Bodija)
A big, busy market famous for food and fresh produce.
Stays
- Kakanfo Inn (Ibadan)
A well established hotel with gardens and a calm atmosphere.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Quilox (Victoria Island, Lagos)
One of the city's best known nightclubs, glamorous and loud. - Lekki Leisure Lake (Lekki, Lagos)
Lakeside fun with water sports, picnic spots and space for children to run around. - LagosPhoto Festival (Lagos Island, Lagos)
An international photography festival with exhibitions across the city. - Makoko (Lagos Mainland, Lagos)
A vast community on stilts over the lagoon, best visited only with a respectful local community guide. - Bature Brewery (Victoria Island, Lagos)
A craft brewery and taproom with beers made in Lagos. - Sailors Lounge (Lekki, Lagos)
A waterfront lounge for sunset drinks and seafood by the lagoon. - Salamander Café (Wuse 2, Abuja)
A relaxed café with a bookish, arty feel and light meals. - Magic Land Abuja (Central Area, Abuja)
An amusement park with rides and games for children. - Abuja Arts and Crafts Village (Garki, Abuja)
Traditional craft stalls; check it is operating, as it has faced relocation. - Kwa Falls (Akamkpa, Calabar)
A waterfall in the forest outside the city; check access and advice before going. - Calabar Botanical Garden (Calabar, Calabar)
A historic garden with old trees and a quiet walk. - Museum of Ife Antiquities (Ile Ife, Ile Ife)
A museum of the famous Ife bronze and terracotta heads. - Lisabi Festival (Abeokuta, Abeokuta)
A festival celebrating the legendary Egba hero Lisabi.