“Eko no dey carry last.” This is the simple truth when it comes to business, culture, social activities, and fun. And you can be sure that this saying is also true when it comes to attractions within the city.
This former capital city of Nigeria is one of the most popular African cities in the world and attracts millions of travelers from around the world. everybody from business people coming to visit the city to seal that deal, to solo backpackers on a journey to learn more about the people and culture, and even Africans in diaspora, trying to reconnect with their roots.
If there is one thing Lagos will never do, it won’t disappoint. The city offers some of the best attractions in Nigeria, some cultural, others modern and man-made, to keep both locals and tourists attracted to the centre of commerce.
7 Tourist Attractions in Lagos
1. Nike Art Gallery
2. Lekki Conservative Centre
3. Freedom Park
4. National Museum, Lagos
5. Badagry Heritage Site
6. The Kalakuta Museum
7. Eyo Festival
Tourist Attractions in Lagos
Here are 7 tourist attractions to visit in Lagos for the holidays:
1. Nike Art Gallery
Nike Art Gallery is one of the largest art galleries of its kind in West Africa. With a collection of over 8,000 artworks spanning a five-story Building, it is a masterpiece of artworks that will take you more than a day to look through. It is also good that the gallery is open from Monday to Sunday.
The artworks feature Nigerian traditions and culture, and the day-to-day life of Nigerians in oil and paint, beadwork, textiles such as “Adire and Batik”, and of course, sculptures in stone, wood, and iron depicting the sacredness of African traditional religion and culture.
However, the artwork is not all the iconic gallery offers. Guests can participate in art classes and workshops, learn how to create and weave the traditional textiles the gallery is famous for, witness cultural dances and music from the gallery troupe, and discover the work of newer artists during exhibitions, recitals, and talk shows that frequently take place at the center.
I personally love that the gallery is free to visit unless you are going in a large group of more than 7, then you do get to pay, as a guide is assigned to follow your group. So, if you are scheduling a solo date with art or hanging out with friends or colleagues, Nike gallery should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Lagos.
Location: 2 Nike Art Gallery Rd, Lekki Phase I, Lekki 106104, Lagos,
Hours Open: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
2. Lekki Conservative Center
If you are visiting Lagos for the first time, you should note that the city is a modern metropolis, meaning tall buildings, highways, traffic, and noise. There is not much in the way of plants and trees, except in its outskirts, or controlled greenery and flowers sprinkled around the buildings and highway to liven things up, so to have a conservation centre stacked in the center of a renowned location in the city is just genius.
The center plays a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem of the region, and is home to hundreds of flora and fauna, and a swampy wetland complete with crocodiles. The whole George of the Jungle effect.
The LCC is also home to the longest canopy walkway in Africa, giving you the perfect aerial view of the entire conservative center and even a chance to say hi to some of the monkeys and flying animals of the park. If you are scared of heights, though, it would be a good idea to rethink climbing the canopy walkway, as the walk is optional.
Tips when visiting LCC
- Wear light, airy clothing, as the air can get a bit humid
- Don’t carry food, because you can be sure the monkeys will know and find you.
Visiting this natural utopia amid the chaos in Lagos is the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate yourself, whether you are a nature lover, a green activist, or just in need of connecting back with nature.
Location: Km 19, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki Peninsula 2, Lekki, Lagos.
Hours Open: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
3. Freedom Park
Constructed to preserve the history and colonial heritage of Her Majesty’s Broad Street Prisons, which held famous Nigerian nationalists like Herbert Macauley, Anthony Enahoro, and Obafemi Awolowo during their prime, while the fight for the country’s independence was ongoing.
Now, the former prison site turned leisure and creative park has a beautiful ambience that combines nature, architecture, and colonial monuments into the ideal destination for sightseeing in Lagos.
The remains of the prison site itself have been reconstructed into amphitheaters and galleries where guests can relax. The park has grown to accommodate a beautiful nightlife where you can sit and eat at the former gallows, now a converted stage, while live cultural music like the Wednesday Karaoke and Tuesday Ijoko Agba (Elders Sitting) serenade you.
If you are looking for a place that guarantees culture and information, good food, and a beautiful atmosphere, then Freedom Park is just the spot to visit.
Location: Old Prison Ground, 1 Hospital Road, Adjacent St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos Island, Lagos.
Hours Open: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
4. National Museum Lagos
The Nigerian National Museum is home to several collections of Nigeria’s archaeological and cultural pieces, some of which date back thousands of years before Christ’s existence, such as the Jema’a Head, a part of the popular Nok culture statues.
The museum also houses artifacts, crowns of old Kings, royal attire, musical instruments, jewelry, masks, and crafts, all from the different ethnic groups of Nigeria, preserving this tradition forever, and displays the artwork of some of Nigeria’s most prominent artists like Bruce Onobrakpeya and Nike Davies-Okundaye.
Apart from its artwork and artifacts, the museum organises art classes and workshops for kids and adults to learn more about Nigerian artwork, and hosts a few religious and cultural holiday events to celebrate the unity of traditions in Nigeria.
Access to the museum is affordable, at 1000 naira for adults, 500 naira for kids, and 1500 naira for foreigners. Guests are not allowed to take pictures of the artifact. To fully enjoy it, then, you must be present to see it.
Location: Onikan Road, Ikoyi, Lagos
Hours Open: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
5. Badagry Heritage Museum
Dedicated to the almost 600,000 slaves who were carted away from West Africa through Badagry. The Badagry Heritage Museum is housed inside the former district officer’s office that was built in 1863 and converted into a museum in 2002.
There you will find horrific relics of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, such as the original chains used by slave traders, photographs, how much the slaves were sold, and documents related to the trade of the slaves, while exploring its nine galleries.
To enjoy the full effect of your visit, it is advisable to visit the other slave sites in the Badagry area, such as the Mobee Slave Trade Relics Museum, the Brazilian Baracoon of Seriki William Abass, the Point of No Return, and the First Storey Building in Nigeria.
Ideal for Africans in diaspora, foreigners, and locals looking to fully understand the history of slavery. The museum and surrounding sites lend credible reality to an event often only captured in books.
As an aside, do note that the journey to Badagry is a long one, so go fully prepared to spend the whole day there.
Location: Lander Road, Marina, Badagry, Lagos.
Hours Open: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
6. Kalakuta Museum
Kalakuta Museum is a specialty museum detailing the life and times of popular afrobeat king, Fela Anikulapo Kuti. The museum was constructed on the same land that housed the legend while he was alive and was named after the original house, “Kalakuta Republic”, a name Fela adopted after a bout in prison on charges of harboring Cannabis and corruption of minors.
The museum contains almost everything—and we mean almost everything—he used in his last days of life, including his toothbrush and panties, to give you a full understanding and relive his life.
It also contains artifacts of that era, including pictures of Fela with his family and on stage, his artworks and album covers, the newspaper announcing either his fame or his capture by the government, and even some of his letters.
The site houses a hotel and restaurant and is also not far from the New Afrikan Shrine, another tribute dedicated to the icon and musician.
Location: 7, Gbemisola Street, St. Allen, Ikeja, Lagos
7. Eyo Festival
While not a site. The Eyo Festival is a traditional festival that, over the decades, has quickly risen as one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Lagos State. Generally only practiced in Isale Eko (Lagos Island). The Eyo, also known as Adamu Orisha, is a traditional masquerade believed to be ancestors that come out only in the Island region.
The masquerade comes out only to celebrate the death of a prominent elder or chief of the island, or during the appointment of a new Oba and journeys from the Iga (Palace of the king) to the Agodo (Shrine), followed by a parade and much funfair.
In their robes of all whites, colorful hats and canes, and ribbons, the Eyo are a delight to see.
Location: Lagos Island, Lagos
Lagos easily earns its position as one of the most fascinating cities in Nigeria, and its tourist sites are no different, with many of them not only providing relaxation and fun but also being inspiring and educational as well. Many of these sites are also family-friendly and very affordable, making them easy to visit and enjoy.
