Lagos is Africa’s largest city, and it wears that crown with pride.
Over 20 million people call it home, and every single day feels like a festival of energy.
The honking of cars, the rushing of street vendors, and the crashing of the Atlantic waves all come together to make a rhythm that is pure Lagos.
This is a city of contrasts.
One moment you’re watching the sunset over Tarkwa Bay, toes in the sand, and the next you’re in a packed nightclub on Victoria Island where the music refuses to end.
Lagos gives you beaches, nightlife, hidden gems, art, and food that tells the story of Nigeria in every bite.
But Lagos doesn’t wait for you to catch up. It’s bold, unapologetic, and always in motion.
The city doesn’t just welcome you; it dares you to keep pace. And when you do, you discover why Lagos is more than a destination; it’s an experience.
Beaches in Lagos You Must Visit
Sencillo Lagos
Sencillo on Ilashe Island is the Lagos escape you didn’t know you needed.
You get there by boat, leaving the mainland noise behind as the Atlantic breeze takes over.
The villa is sleek, white, and minimalist, with a pool and lounge areas that open straight to the sea. Everything here is designed to slow you down.
Inside, three ensuite rooms face the waves, while outside you can stretch out on hammocks, sip cocktails by the pool, or sink into a jacuzzi under palm trees.
The name means “simple” in Spanish, and that’s the magic, simple luxury that lets the ocean do the talking.
It’s perfect for private getaways, weddings, or group retreats.
Jara Beach Resort
Jara Beach Resort is where Lagos goes to breathe.
This spot is tucked in Eleko and has soft sand, calm waves, and food that tastes like the ocean because it is so fresh.
A day pass covers food and drinks, so you can relax without thinking about money.
Stay overnight in a chalet and wake up to the sound of the sea right outside your door.
Hammocks swing under palm trees, cocktails flow by the pool, and bonfire nights light up the sky.
Jara feels like luxury and peace rolled into one; it is perfect for couples, families, or anyone who needs to escape the Lagos rush.
La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort
La Campagne Tropicana in Ibeju-Lekki blends Yoruba tradition with tropical beauty.
Here you can ride horses on the sand, paddle through mangroves, or nap in a bamboo hut while drummers play nearby.
Day access starts at around ₦7,000, making it one of the best-value cultural escapes by the sea. Stay the night in chalets that mix rustic charm with modern comfort.
Between the food, the music, and the endless activities, La Campagne feels like a festival on the beach.
Honeyland Beach
Honeyland in Eleko feels raw, vibrant, and full of Lagos spirit. The vibe is simple but alive: loud music, roasted fish, chilled drinks, and plenty of laughter.
It’s the kind of place you go with friends. Order fresh tilapia, grab a hut, and spend the whole day under the sun.
Honeyland may not be fancy, but it’s full of soul and that’s Lagos at its best.
Other Beaches Worth Seeing
Elegushi Beach
Photo source: Flightpadi
Elegushi is the beach that never sleeps.
From the moment you step in, the air hums with music, laughter, and the energy of Lagos at full throttle.
DJs blast Afrobeats, dancers kick up the sand, and vendors move through the crowd with cold drinks and roasted fish.
The beach is wide, lively, and unapologetically loud. It’s where Lagosians come to let loose and where visitors quickly learn how much this city loves to party.
Nights often stretch until dawn, with bonfires and dance circles keeping the vibe alive.
Entry is around ₦2,000–₦3,000, but the real cost is your energy, you’ll need plenty of it.
Oniru Beach
Photo source: Nircle
Oniru Beach feels polished and stylish, a place where cocktails and ocean views blend into one perfect Lagos evening.
The crowd here is fashionable, the lounges are comfortable, and the vibe strikes a balance between fun and relaxation.
Whether you’re catching a daytime breeze or enjoying the nightlife scene, Oniru gives you a taste of Lagos’ trendy side.
Atican Beach
Photo source: pulse.ng
Atican is the opposite of Lagos chaos.
Located in Lekki, it has soft sand, quiet waters, and enough space for families to spread out and breathe.
Kids run free, couples walk by the shore, and groups of friends share food under shaded huts.
The water is safe for swimming, and the beach is clean and well-kept, making it a go-to for weekend picnics.
You’ll find local food stalls serving fresh seafood, along with music that’s upbeat but not overwhelming.
Tarkwa Bay
The journey is half the magic at Tarkwa Bay.
You can only reach it by boat, usually from Marina or Victoria Island, with rides costing around ₦1,500–2,500.
As the city skyline fades behind you, the water stretches wide and blue.
Once there, the entry fee (about ₦500) gets you into one of Lagos’s most chilled beaches.
Rent a chair, sip a cold drink, and watch surfers ride the waves.
READ ALSO: Accra Travel Guide (Ghana): Best Things to Do, See & Eat in 2025
Hidden Gems in Lagos
Nike Art Gallery
Photo source: exceptionalalien
Step inside Nike Art Gallery in Lekki and you’ll feel like you’ve walked into Nigeria’s creative heartbeat.
With over 8,000 artworks from across the country, the gallery explodes with color and culture.
Entry is free, but bring cash because you’ll want to take something home.
From paintings to beads to textiles, every piece tells a story. You can even meet local artists working on-site.
Lekki Conservation Centre
If Lagos had a green lung, this would be it.
The Lekki Conservation Centre is a lush 78-hectare reserve where monkeys swing above your head and tortoises laze on the grass.
The highlight? Africa’s longest canopy walkway, a thrilling sky bridge that gives you bird’s-eye views of the forest.
Entry is about ₦1,500, and it’s worth every naira. The air is fresher, the vibe is calmer, and for a moment you forget you’re in one of the busiest cities in the world.
Freedom Park, Lagos
Once a colonial prison, Freedom Park on Broad Street is now a cultural hub.
Entry is ₦200, and inside you’ll find art, concerts, food, and history. Locals come here to chill, watch live bands, or grab suya in the evening.
The walls whisper stories of Nigeria’s past, but today the park celebrates freedom, art, and music.
It’s living history with a side of fun.
Makoko Floating Village
Photo source: allafrica.com
Known as the “Venice of Africa,” Makoko is a community built on stilts over water.
Guided tours (from about ₦5,000–₦7,000) take you through the narrow waterways where families live, work, and play.
It’s raw, humbling, and eye-opening. Makoko shows another side of Lagos, one of resilience, community, and survival.
Lakowe Lakes & Country Estate
Photo source: Newmark hotels
Just outside Lekki, Lakowe Lakes is Lagos’ golf and leisure paradise. It’s quiet, green, and a world away from traffic.
Golfers love it, but even if you don’t play, the estate offers spa treatments, lake views, and walking trails.
Day passes start around ₦15,000, making it perfect for a mini-getaway when the city gets too loud.
Upside Down House
Photo source: upsidedownhouse
For something fun and quirky, check out the Upside Down House in Lekki.
Everything inside; beds, chairs, even the kitchen, is flipped. Tickets are around ₦3,500, and the photos you’ll take here? Instagram gold.
It’s playful, it’s weird, and it’s a reminder that Lagos doesn’t take itself too seriously.
READ ALSO: Top Hidden Gems in West Africa You Need to Visit
Badagry
Badagry sits on the outskirts of Lagos, but stepping into it feels like stepping into Nigeria’s past.
Once a key route in the transatlantic slave trade, this coastal town is now a place of memory, culture, and reflection. At the Badagry Heritage Museum and the Slave Port, you’ll walk the “Point of No Return,” a sandy path that thousands of enslaved Africans once took to the ocean. It’s heavy, moving, and unforgettable.
But Badagry isn’t only about history. Its beaches are quiet and unspoiled, perfect for picnics or long walks by the water. You’ll find coconut trees swaying in the breeze, small boats drifting by, and locals offering fresh palm wine. It’s a mix of peace and remembrance, a reminder that travel can both heal and teach.
Ìsimi Lagos
Ìsimi Lagos is not your typical hangout; it’s Nigeria’s first fully sustainable eco-city, designed for people who want nature and modern living in one place.
Located in Epe, about an hour from Lekki, Ìsimi feels like a different world. The name means “rest” in Yoruba, and everything here is built around that idea.
Picture green open spaces, wellness centers, horse-riding trails, tech hubs, and eco-friendly homes powered by renewable energy. It’s still developing, but guided tours already give you a taste of what this bold project is creating: a community where sustainability meets lifestyle.
READ ALSO: Cultural Festivals in West Africa
Nightlife in Lagos
Quilox – The Showstopper
Photo source: clubquilox.com
Ask anyone about Lagos nightlife, and Quilox comes up first.
This Victoria Island nightclub is all about excess: bright lights, booming speakers, A-list DJs, and champagne towers.
Entry depends on the night, but expect to spend at least ₦10,000 just to get started.
Inside, it’s pure Lagos glam. Dress sharp, bring your squad, and prepare to dance till sunrise.
Terra Kulture – Culture by Night
Photo source: terrakulture
Not all Lagos nights are about clubs.
Terra Kulture on Victoria Island is where food, art, and theatre come alive.
Catch a stage play, explore Nigerian literature, or enjoy a meal with live music. Tickets for shows start around ₦5,000.
It’s classy, cultural, and gives you nightlife with meaning.
NiteShift Coliseum – Old but Gold
A legend of Lagos nightlife, NiteShift Coliseum on Opebi Road has been hosting parties since the 1980s.
The vibe is mature, the crowd is stylish, and the music leans toward old-school grooves.
It’s not the trendiest spot in 2025, but it’s iconic, a reminder of Lagos’ long love affair with the night.
New Afrika Shrine – Fela’s Legacy
Photo source: lagosdiaspora
If you want raw Lagos energy, head to the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja.
Created in memory of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, the Shrine hosts live bands, political talks, and wild parties.
Entry is usually free, but you’ll want to buy drinks and food.
The Shrine is sweaty, loud, and unforgettable. This is where Lagos’ soul dances.
READ ALSO: Where to go in Africa in 2026
Taste Lagos
You can’t do Lagos without tasting it.
Street food is everywhere, and it’s cheap, tasty, and unforgettable.
Grab suya (spicy grilled beef) from a roadside stand for about ₦1,000, or dive into a plate of smoky jollof rice with fried plantain.
On the Mainland, try amala and ewedu at Amala Shitta in Surulere.
On the Island, enjoy fresh seafood in Victoria Island or a fine dining experience at Nok by Alara.
Whether it’s pepper soup at midnight or puff-puff on the go, Lagos food hits different.
Final Thoughts
Lagos is not a place you “tick off” a list and it is not a city you visit with half a heart.
It demands all of you: the patience, the curiosity, the willingness to laugh at the chaos, and the hunger to soak it all in. But the reward? It’s unforgettable.
It’s messy, loud, beautiful, and alive.
Few places in the world can give you sunsets that stop you in your tracks, music that shakes your bones, and people whose energy makes you feel instantly at home.
So pack light, bring your sense of adventure, and dive in.
Lagos will test you, thrill you, and change the way you see travel.
Don’t just scroll past the photos or dream about the beaches; book that flight, step into the madness, and live the Lagos story for yourself.
Trust me, this is one city that stays with you long after you’ve left.
