Once upon a time when most travelers heard the name Lagos mentioned, they automatically conjured up images of the picturesque coastal town in the popular Algarve region of Portugal, notable for its stunning natural beauty and Instagram perfect beaches. Today, however, travel afficionados would better be advised to ask if the city under discussion was not instead that other port city in Nigeria bearing the same name which also borders the Atlantic Ocean and has recently become the subject of much, well-deserved hype.
Buoyed by the discovery of an embarrassment of natural resources in recent decades, Lagos has not only become the economic capital of Nigeria, it has also grown into Africa’s largest city boasting a population of more than 15 million people – which, for the record, makes it more populous than London, Hong Kong, Moscow, Rio or Paris. With this explosive growth, has come an enormous amount of rapid cultural change accompanied by the development of a tourism landscape that now attracts visitors of all stripes from around the globe.
Though the city is still often described as “chaotic” and “frenetic”, the vibrant energy of Lagos is now being channeled in such a way that visitors to the city can effectively explore and uncover the treasures the city has to offer on their own terms. That is to say, that guests can craft an itinerary around their own particular interests in this bustling and diverse metropolis where multiple cultures collide.
On the one hand, there are the beaches. A paradise for lovers of surf and sand, Lagos counts more than 100 miles of coastline among its most celebrated assets. Here you’ll find pristine beaches including the exclusive but exceptionally accessible Landmark Leisure Beach located right in the city, which features a premier private beachfront as well as a boardwalk that runs along the Atlantic coastline, spanning the distance of the Landmark Village – home to staples like the Hardrock Cafe and the renowned Landmark Event Center.
In the alternative, for a more private and remote experience ensconced in a world of soaring coconut palm trees and sweeping ocean views, take a quick 15-minute boat ride from Ikoyi and Victoria Island to the sumptuous La Manga Luxury Beach Villas on Ilashe Island to find your nirvana.
Along the way stop in at one of the many oceanfront nightclubs like the trendy Moist Beach Club Oniru, where you can expect to find the local glitterati gathered to take in the staggering views of the Atlantic Ocean whilst sampling local delicacies, entertainment, and an ambience depicting African arts and culture.
On the more cultural side of things, Lagos offers a peak into what the city was like before it became a commercial and entertainment powerhouse vis-à-vis sites like Lekki Conservation Centre, one of Africa’s prominent and most diverse urban nature parks notable for its swinging canopy walkway from which guests can view local wildlife and vegetation up close and personal l in these well-preserved wetlands.
Likewise, Badagry a coastal town located on the outskirts of Lagos pulls back the curtain on a dark chapter in the country’s history. Prominent as an auction point during the transatlantic slave trade era, the town now houses important historic sites from the colonial years including: the National Museum, Tafawa Balewa Square, Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos City Hall, St George’s Hall, Government Printing Press, Old Government House and secretariat and the Anglican Christ Church Cathedral.
In terms of the premier time to visit Lagos, the best months are between November and February when the rains have ceased, the weather is drier, the air is less humid, and the temperature is pleasantly cooler. October and November represent particularly good times to visit thanks to popular annual events like Lagos Fashion Week, the Aké Arts and Book Festival, which showcases Africa’s top writers, and ART X Lagos, a unique cultural event hosting galleries and artists from over 30 countries that has become a cornerstone of the African art sector.
For your stay, The George, an independent luxury boutique hotel located at an exclusive and central address in Ikoyi is an excellent choice. As is the luxurious art-filled Wheatbaker Hotel, also located in Ikoyl on Victoria Island, and local favorite the oceanfront Eko Hotels & Suites.
Bottom line: As Lagos steamrolls a path to becoming the most important economic and cultural center in all of Africa, the time has come for the astute traveler to give this Nigerian gem a second look.