Lagos is Nigeria's largest city and its commercial centre. It was the country's capital until 1991, when the seat of government moved to Abuja, and it remains the place where much of Nigeria's music, film, fashion and business is made.
The city spreads across islands and mainland around the Lagos Lagoon, linked by long bridges such as the Third Mainland Bridge. Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki face the Atlantic, while Ikeja, Yaba, Surulere and the rest of the mainland hold most of the city's population.
Top things to do in Lagos
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Spend a day on the beach
The Atlantic coastline runs the length of Lekki and out towards Epe and Badagry. Beaches along the Lekki-Epe corridor are reached by road, while Tarkwa Bay, a sheltered beach near the harbour mouth, is reached by boat from Lagos Island and Victoria Island jetties. Currents are strong on the open coast, so swim only where it is marked as safe.
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Trace history in Badagry
Badagry, about an hour and a half west of central Lagos, was a major port of the Atlantic slave trade. Its heritage sites include a slave market relic, museums of the period and the route to the Point of No Return on the coast. The town also has the first storey building in Nigeria, completed in 1845.
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Walk the canopy in Lekki
The Lekki Conservation Centre protects wetland and forest along the Lekki Peninsula. Its long canopy walkway gives views over the treetops, and boardwalks pass through swamp forest where monkeys, birds and monitor lizards live.
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Shop the markets
Lagos Island is home to some of the largest markets in West Africa, with fabric, shoes, electronics and household goods sold street by street. For crafts, carvings, beads and fabrics such as adire and aso-oke, Lekki has a long-running arts and crafts market.
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Visit museums and galleries
The National Museum at Onikan holds traditional carvings, masks and bronzes from across Nigeria. Nearby, Freedom Park occupies the grounds of a former colonial prison and hosts concerts, exhibitions and food fairs. Galleries across Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki show work by Nigerian and African artists.
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See live music and comedy
Lagos is the centre of Afrobeats and of Nigerian stand-up comedy. Concerts, comedy shows, open-mic nights and club events run every week, and the calendar is busiest in December, when many Nigerians living abroad come home for the holidays.
Upcoming events in Lagos
See more events in Lagos-
Friday, October 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
An Evening With Mayowa And Friends
Jameson Yard, 5, Wumego Crescent, Lekki Phase One, Lagos
From ₦10,000.00
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Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Lagos Mainland International College Fair 2026
Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja, 122 Joel Ogunnaike Street, Lagos, LA 100271
Free
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Sunday, October 11, 2026 at 8:00 AM
2026 Youth Fellowship Harvest
Church, Km 4, Apapa-oshodi Expressway, Sanya Bus Stop, Lagos
From ₦5,400.00
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Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Inspire Africa Conference 2026
Eko Hotel And Suites, 1415 Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Lagos, LA 106104
From ₦15.74
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Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM
AgriValue Nigeria Summit 2026: Feeding the Nation: Unlocking Nigeria’s Agro
Lcci Conference And Exhibition Centre, 10 Doctor Nurudeen Olowopopo Way, Lagos, LA 101233
Free
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Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Worldview Education Fair 2026 [Lagos - Nigeria]
Lagos Marriott Hotel Ikeja, 122 Joel Ogunnaike Street, Lagos, LA 100271
Free
Festivals and culture
The Eyo Festival is one of the best-known traditions of Lagos Island, with masquerades dressed in white parading through the streets; it is held on special occasions rather than every year. December, often called "Detty December", brings a run of concerts, parties and beach events. Lagos also hosts fashion weeks, art fairs, film screenings and food festivals through the year.
Food to try
Try jollof rice, suya (spiced grilled meat), boli (roasted plantain) with groundnuts, ofada rice with ayamase pepper sauce, amala with ewedu and gbegiri, and small chops such as puff-puff and spring rolls. Fresh seafood is easy to find near the coast.
Best time to visit
The dry season, from November to March, is the most comfortable time to visit. December is the busiest month for concerts and parties, so book tickets and travel early. The rainy season runs from about April to October, with the heaviest rain in June and July, when some roads flood.
Getting around
Traffic is heavy, especially on weekday mornings and evenings, so allow extra time. Ride-hailing apps are widely used. The BRT bus lanes cover major routes, the Blue Line and Red Line trains run on the mainland and to Lagos Island, and ferries cross the lagoon between jetties.
Questions about Lagos
What is Lagos known for?
Lagos is known as Nigeria's commercial capital and the home of its music, film and fashion industries. Visitors come for its beaches, markets, nightlife, live music and the concerts and parties held in December.
When is the best time to visit Lagos?
November to March, during the dry season. December has the most events, while June and July are the wettest months.
Can you visit beaches in Lagos?
Yes. Beaches line the Lekki coast and Badagry, and Tarkwa Bay is reached by boat. Currents on the open Atlantic coast can be strong, so swim only where it is marked as safe.
How do I find events in Lagos?
Browse upcoming concerts, parties, comedy shows, conferences and free events in Lagos on Shows.ng, and filter by today, this weekend or this month.
