Stories · Nigeria
A weekend in Lagos
The story I wish I had read before going.
My first time in Lagos, I tried to see everything and mostly saw queues. Now I do it differently: a few places a day, the right ones, in the right order. Here is my 2-day thread.
Day 1 · Neighbourhoods and flavours
Early in the morning, meet me at Nike Art Gallery. The audio guides are worth it; otherwise, follow a group and steal three anecdotes on the way. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (7,700 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or go through Tiqets.
Then, head to The Palms Shopping Mall. This is where the city looks most like itself. Walk slowly, look at the shopfronts, listen. Everyone goes; everyone is right. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
For lunch, trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
In the afternoon, it’s Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.5 out of 5 across 1,700 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Getting there: here is the route by public transport. To get a feel for it: what visitors say.
In the evening, I make my way to Ikeja City Mall. My advice: a pause on a terrace at the hour when locals leave work. You understand everything. Unmissable, and for good reason. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Lagos is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 2 · The icons
In the morning, I make my way to Landmark Upside Down House. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or compare on Tiqets.
Around noon, head to Fun Factory. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise also check Tiqets.
At lunchtime, stay around Lagos: a noisy room, a dish of the day, and you’ve understood everything.
After lunch, I make my way to Atlantic City, Lagos. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.
As the light fades, meet me at Landmark Beach. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Practical: here is the route by public transport · travellers’ reviews.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Lagos does the rest.
If you’re still hungry
I still have a few up my sleeve: Lekki Conservation Centre, Freedom Park Lagos, Lagos Central Mosque, Muson Centre, NIGERIAN ARMY SHOPPING ARENA and Tarkwa Bay Beach King Lagos. Your call.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
And if you go, tell me what you loved. Lagos changes, and so do I.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.