Lagos

Buzzing Metropolis with Coastal Charm

Lagos is Nigeria’s largest city and a major hub in West Africa. It has busy streets filled with markets, music and different foods from across the country. The city stretches along the Atlantic coast, where modern skyscrapers stand near older neighborhoods with colonial history. Public transport includes buses and ferries that move people between districts. Beaches are close to downtown, offering a place for relaxation after busy days in business or culture. Markets sell everything from clothes to electronics, showing Lagos’s role as an economic center.

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City in Nigeria

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 4.2

General Safety:	4
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	4

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken in Lagos, and most locals, especially in the service industry, can communicate well with tourists in English.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

There is a travel warning issued for this country. Please check the website of your country's foreign office for the latest information.

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Lagos Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
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Read how our scores work

Major center for culture and nightlife. Explore markets and museums, relax on Atlantic beaches, enjoy vibrant music scenes and sample diverse Nigerian cuisine.

Place score

5.7

Best at:

Local cuisine

Street food

Markets

Sea

Art

Personal score

Suited for

👶 4

Families

🧓 3

Seniors

💻 6

Digital Nomads

🥗 6

Vegetarian

Nigeria – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type D , Type G Type D: Type G: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Nigerian Naira (NGN) £1 ≈ NGN 1,788.46
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Nigeria, particularly in larger cities. Credit cards are accepted in many businesses in urban areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Nigeria, but small tips (5-10%) are appreciated in restaurants. Taxis and hotel staff may expect small tips.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, though alcohol consumption is generally restricted in certain regions due to local customs.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas, and many public spaces have non-smoking policies.

Independence Day (1 October)	Celebrating Nigeria’s independence from the UK

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt
Other:	Nigeria is a large country with a rich cultural heritage, but travellers should be aware of the security situation and healthcare facilities.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Lagos, Nigeria

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Jan

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Feb

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Mar

🔥

Apr

🌦️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

🌦️

Aug

🌦️

Sep

🔥

Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan., Dec.
Shoulder season:	Feb. - April, Oct. - Nov.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Detty December, mid December to early January: concerts, beach parties and festivals, with flights and hotels at peak prices

Heavy rain June to July often floods roads, making traffic and getting around much slower

Harmattan dust haze December to February can cause flight delays and poor visibility

Don't miss

🛍️ Explore vibrant Balogun Market for local crafts and textiles
🌿 Walk the longest canopy walkway at Lekki Conservation Centre
🏖️ Relax and swim at beautiful Tarkwa Bay Beach
🎨 Visit the impressive Nike Art Gallery showcasing African art
🎭 Reflect at Freedom Park, a cultural and historical landmark
🏛️ Tour the National Museum for Nigeria’s rich heritage exhibits

You've been here?

Why travel to Lagos?

Lagos offers an incredible mix of culture, music and adventure. From exploring bustling markets like Lekki and Balogun to enjoying live Afrobeat music and relaxing on the beaches of Victoria Island, Lagos has something for everyone. The city’s creative scene, with its art galleries and vibrant festivals, adds a unique flair. However, it’s essential to stay aware of your surroundings and avoid certain areas after dark to ensure a safe trip.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 National Museum
2 Freedom Park
3 Nike Art Gallery
4 Tarkwa Bay
5 Terra Kulture

🎡Places for activities

1 Bogobiri House Hotel and Restaurant

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 The Lagoon
2 Elegushi Beach Road
3 Kuramo Beach Residences
4 Lagos Beach Compressor Station

🛍️Shopping

1 Palms Shopping Mall
2 Ikeja City Mall
3 Mega Plaza
4 Computer Village
5 Market
6 Spar
7 Novare Lekki Mall
8 Circle Mall

🎈Events

Lagos Carnival
Felabration
Lagos International Jazz Festival
Eyo Festival
Art X Lagos
GTBank Fashion Weekend
Lagos Theatre Festival
Gidi Culture Festival
Lagos Photo Festival
Beach Soccer Africa Cup

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Knowledge before you go

Plan around traffic; allow extra time for every trip.
Choose well-reviewed hotels with 24/7 security and reliable power backup for outages.
Use ride-hailing or a trusted driver, especially after dark; avoid self-driving nights.
For a calmer local vibe, do Lekki Conservation Centre early, then head to beach clubs before weekend crowds.

How to travel to Lagos

Lagos is accessible through Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS), which connects to major international destinations. The city also has ports for regional ferries and a robust network of buses for domestic travel.

Access summary

From Murtala Muhammed International (LOS): taxi or rideshare into city, about 45–90 minutes.
From Abuja: frequent domestic flights to Lagos, around 1 hour flying time.
From Accra: several regional flights daily to Lagos, roughly 1-hour flight.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Lagos

Accommodation options in Lagos range from luxury hotels in Victoria Island and Ikoyi to budget-friendly choices in Ikeja. Beach resorts and boutique hotels are also popular, especially for those looking to relax by the coast.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

The Federal Palace Hotel & Casino

8.7

Vintano Hotel

9.1

The Lagos Continental Hotel

Swiss International The Vistana

Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Lagos VI.

8.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Lagos

The most common ways to get around Lagos are via taxis, ride-hailing apps (Uber, Bolt) and BRT buses. Traffic can be intense, so allow extra travel time. Boat taxis are also available in coastal areas.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-55 %

Daily expenses in Lagos are around 55% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-51 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to NGN) is 51% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is a lot cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£33	£80	£218
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£105
🍝 Food per day	£12	£30	£86
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£5	£26

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£19
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.30
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.30
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.75

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.55
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£17
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.48

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.40
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£9
🤧 Cold medication	£1.20
💇 Basic haircut	£1.25

Safety information overview

General safety

While Lagos is generally safe, travelers should stay alert, avoid displaying valuables and be cautious in crowded places. Use trusted transportation and avoid certain neighborhoods at night.

Health & Medical

Lagos has good medical facilities, particularly private hospitals. Health insurance with coverage for medical evacuation is recommended. Malaria prevention is advised, including mosquito repellents and medication.

Accessibility

Accessibility varies. While modern hotels and shopping malls are accessible, public transportation and older buildings may not be suitable for those with mobility challenges.

Tap water

Tap water in Lagos is not safe for drinking. Stick to bottled water, which is widely available. Ensure ice in drinks is made from purified water and avoid raw street food to stay safe.