'''Lagos''' is the largest city in Nigeria. With an estimated population of 8.8 million inhabitants in the city, or rather 10.7 million in the metropolitan area, Lagos ranks next to Cairo of the largest cities of Africa.

Understand

Get in

You can fly in from most European cities (London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, Rome), Doha, Dubai, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Kenya. There are also direct flights from the United States (New York and Atlanta).

Get around

You will hardly be able to find your way in Nigeria especially the busy environ of Lagos unless you have been provided earlier direction.

If you are not on a tight budget, you should hire a car and driver, usually available from most of the major hotels and the airport. The price will be around ?1,000 - ?2,000 per hour, you will be expected to haggle. Talk to the drivers and find one you think will be able to communicate best with as they will be able to tell you things about the places you pass.

Use buses to move around the city if you know the routes. Larger buses are called ''molue'' and the smaller mini-Bus type are called ''Danfo''. Buses are often overcrowded to the point where the conductor must stand on the side, with the side door open. Taxis cost more than buses, typically 10 times the price, you will be expected to negotiate the price before you enter and pay on arrival. They are however much safer than buses, especially at night where Buses are often subjected to highway robbery. You should be certain to inspect the Taxi before you enter, Taxis are often in a poor state of repair, balding tires and worn shocks leading to a very bumpy, nauseating ride.

For travelling short distances, you can use motorbike taxis called Okada. These motorbikes are quick, cheap and save a lot of walking but they are also very dangerous. Okada accidents are very common and no safety equipment is provided. If you want to take the risk, you can safely halve their first price, and usually there are lots to choose from. Choose an older driver as the younger ones are cowboys.

See

'''Tafawa Balewa Square:''' on the Lagos Island ; be careful never to go there at night as you will almost surely get mugged!

'''Badagry:''' the ancient slave port, the wispering palms, the 'sun tan' beach, the bubbly Vespa Market

Do

Lagos is for tourists like England is for food. It's a stereotype and not really true, but you have to put the effort in to see it.

There are a lot of great beaches. Especially if you make the effort to get outside the side (like Badagari). Inside the city, Lekki is about as good as it gets.

There are also lots of markets to see, although it can be very tiring. Usually safe during the day.

There is the lekki Conservartory down on the lekki/Epe express way which is really good for relaxation, its a dense park with a few animals and birds, there are walkways and benches to rest on.

'''Beaches:'''

  • '''Bar Beach:''' On Ahmodu Bello Way, Victoria Island.
  • '''Eleko Beach:''' Km 56, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Turn right just past Total service station, proceed to toll gate, turn left follow road to Rainbow Church sign, turn right onto dirt road. Eleko beach is at end of road.
  • '''Lekki Beach:''' Turn right at round-about just past estate (about 9 Km), Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki.
  • '''Tarkwa Beach:''' Accessible by boat only. boat can be hired opposite American/Indian Embassy. You can also board water taxis for about N200 per trip.
  • '''Beach Resorts:'''
  • '''Hermitage Garden Resorts:''' Hermitage road, Tiye village, near Akodo, Lekki Local Government.
  • '''La Campagne Tropicana:''' Lekki
  • '''Museums:'''

  • '''National Museum of Nigeria:''' Awolowo Rd (Opp Muson Centre), Onikan, Lagos Island. Open: 9am-5pm Daily.
  • '''Didi Meuseum:''' 175, Akin Adesola St, Victoria Island. Open: 9am-5pm (Monday-Friday).
  • FunCity. 5B Ikorodu Lagos Rd. ww.fcamusement.com. A place where kids and adults can play. It's a Kid's thing, a couple's thing, a family thing! It's Fun City!!! Nigeria's 1st All-Round Entertainment Place. Filled with VIP Lounges, Bar's with state of the art televisions and on site DJ playing all the latest hits. Great Food, Mixed Drinks, Tons and Tons of arcade games and bumper cars. It is also a Club too. Some through and see what happening at Fun City!!!

    Buy

    Unless you are in a supermarket or restaurant/bar with fixed prices, you will be expected to negotiate the price you pay for an item down to the lowest the vendor would sell. When you are stuck in traffic, expect to see hawkers selling anything from potatoes to toilet seats to the most graphic pornography. Expect any brand names in these informal markets to be fake, and should you wish to purchase them aim for a very low price.

    On beaches, hawkers will be trying to sell their wares. Selling necklaces, fake wristwatches, fake sunglasses and wooden carvings. Don't be tempted to buy any animals, dead or alive, and avoid anything you are told has ivory in it, even though it is probably bone or plastic. There is little enough wildlife, with exception of lizards and insects, in Lagos and the environs as it is.

    Beggars are also very common where there is traffic, best advice is if you feel like giving, don't give it to anyone who can walk, talk, see, hear and has all their limbs. Also be aware that giving beggars money from your car window can result in your car quickly becoming surrounded by other beggars.

    If you hold a Visa, MasterCard or Maestro Credit/Debit card you can withdraw cash in Naira from various ATM's around Lagos. Visa machines can be found at Standard Chartered Bank. MasterCard/Maestro machines are found in Ecobank and some Zenith Bank branches.

    Foreign currency, US Dollars, Pounds Sterling, or Euros can be exchanged in various places, usually near large hotels and the airport. These are not formal bureaux de change and you will need to negotiate the exchange rate. It is strongly recommended that you count your money in front of the exchanger, and don't be afraid to walk away if you are not happy with the deal. Be wary of your safety in moneychanging areas, and take care to make sure you are not followed when leaving them.

    Some of the Good Places to Shopping are:

  • '''The Palms Shopping Centre:''' No 1, British International School Way, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki. Open: 10am-9pm-7 Days a week.
  • '''The City Mall:''' Opp Muson Centre, Awolowo Rd, Onikan, Lagos Island. Open: 10am-9pm-7 Days a week.
  • '''Mega Plaza:''' 21st Century Mall, 14, Idowu Martins Street, Victoria Island. Open: 10am-10pm-7 Days a week.
  • Eat

    Ikoyi also has a lot of good places to grab a bite such as Double 4 and Albasha. (no longer there) On VI (Victoria Island) you will find a clean and nice lebanese restaurant - Lamia. Also on VI, in Picolo Mondo, is the only thing in Lagos that reminds a real espresso coffee.

    Make sure not to miss the nigerian traditional "Pepper Soup" - the strongest can be found in Da Grotto bar, on VI.

    Il Sirriso is great for Italian and Saipan is the best Chinese, plus has a great nightclub. Both are on VI.

    Huge choice of Indian restaurents (bit on the expensive side)

    Drink

    '''Ikeja'''
  • '''Africa Shrine''' in Ikeja. With Femi Kuti, son of the legend Fela Kuti.
  • '''Lagbaja's Motherland''', Opebi Road (''in Ikeja'').
  • '''The Night Shift Colosseum''', Salvation Road, Off Opebi Road. Best Music. Well arranged. Big space for dancing and sitting. 9pm till 5am
  • '''Options''', Allen Avenue - Toyin Street T point. Good Music, Spacious, 10 pm till 5am.
  • '''MetroPark''', Isaac-John Street, GRA, Ikeja.
  • '''Ikoyi'''

  • '''Baccus''' Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.
  • '''Club 11:45''' Awolowo Road, Ikoyi. Well known club very popular across Lagos. If you are looking for a club fair and square then this is it.
  • '''Havana''' Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road. A very popular pub bar with a good mix of expatiates & Nigerians.Fun & freindly bar staff.Excellent and extensive food menu serving both continental and some Nigerian dishes. Has live bands on Wednesday & Fridays.Also has upstairs bar & dining.Local beer N450 Wine (glass) N800, bottle N3,000+ Spirits(50ml) N900.
  • '''Victoria Island'''

  • '''La Casa''': on Victoria Island. Very expensive, Local beer ?900!
  • '''Bungalow's''': Akin Adeshola Street (Entrance Opposite Junction with Adeola Odeku), Prices local beer ?300, cocktails ?1,000
  • '''Planet 44''': Akin Adesola Street, Large spaced Night club and Dance Bar. This club brings together a mixed crowd, inviting just about anyone who want to get their groove on and catch late-night fun. Cool, snazzy setting. Catches your fancy on a good night.Tuesday: Ladies Nite (11pm till dawn); Friday: Groove (11pm till dawn); Saturday: Disco Fever (11pm till dawn). Tuesdays and Saturdays: Entrance free till 1.00am.
  • '''Pat's Bar''': Ajose Adeogun Street (Towards Ligali Ayorinde Street end), A sports bar with a rugby theme, Very popular with expatriates of all nationalities. Local beer ?450, wine (glass) ?800, wine (bottle) ?2000+
  • '''Saga VIII''': Terra Kulture is a restaurant, gallery and bookshop combined. It is located on VI and it is a good place to pick up some local art as well as a plate of African snails. It is a very popular night club
  • '''Bottles''': Great Tex-Mex food and margaritas that are out of this world. Actually after a couple you will feel like you are out of this world!
  • '''Jacks bar''': OK but when Jacks closes everybody moves on to a club called Y-NOT.
  • '''Y-NOT''': It is open until 6am, I think the charge for the V.I.P. room is ?1000 (about __4) and the bar prices are reasonable for Lagos, ?350-500 for a beer, and the girls are 'very friendly', always keep your eyes open.
  • '''Apapa'''

  • '''Monalido''': at Corner of Creek road, Entry ?500 per person. Good Music, Sufficient Space for sitting. Good and Big Dance floor. Every one welcome. 10pm till 05:30am. Drinks are at very competitive prices, Nice Food Restaurant as well open till 6am.
  • '''Club 21''': Warf Road, Entry ?500 per person. Good Music, Sufficient Space for sitting. Good and Big Dance floor. Every one welcome. 10pm till 03:00am. Drinks are at competitive prices.
  • Sleep

    Lagos has many great hotels and many more are being built. there are many 5 start hotels for the price of a 3 star hotel. try to get a hotel in victoria island.

    Budget

  • '''The Stone House''' Admiralty Lekki Phase I.
  • Mid range

  • Lekki Inn. 11 Ken Uba Close, Lekki Peninsula. econd street to the right off Ajiron Road, off Lekki Expressway (beside Chevron). 234-1-877-0240. nfo@lekki-inn.com. ttp://www.lekki-inn.com. S$50-100. Caters mostly to executives from oil companies, banks, etc. Two fully-furnished chalets onsite can be rented for longer-term stays. Food is excellent, typically African or Continental cuisines. The rooms all have marble flooring, so you don't get the "wet" and "moldy" feel some of the other hotels have. The only downside is that there are just 12 rooms, albeit all large and luxurious, so you don't get to socialize too much onsite. Victoria Island with its bars and clubs is a 20-minute drive away, and the beaches are close by.

  • '''Hotel Palais Royal''' 48, Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island, [http://www.palaisroyalnigeria.com/].
  • '''Hotel Le Chateau''' 292E Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island, [http://www.lechateaunigeria.com/].
  • '''Protea,''' a South African group, has three hotels in Lagos, all of acceptable standard but not cheap. The prices are reduced if you hold a group loyalty card, the ProKard.
  • In addition on Ikoyi in Glover St is a small, new serviced aparthotel called La Cour.

    Contact

    Nigeria has both GSM & CDMA Networks. Most of the International GSM Networks are served here on Roaming Partner Basis. Local pre-activated GSM (SIM) connection can be purchased from any where in entire Country at very cheap rate. Naira 200/- for a SIM.

    '''GSM/3G'''

  • '''Etisalat:''' Nigeria is served by One of the Best Network in the World. Etisalat is Reliable, Works perfectly, Cheap call rates. Services: Calls, SMS, GPRS and some most advance feature can be found only on this network.
  • '''Zain:''' Zain is the former Celtel. Services: Calls, SMS & GPRS Services.
  • '''MTN:''' Services: Calls, SMS, DATA (Internet) & GPRS Services.
  • '''Glo:''' Services: Calls, SMS, DATA (Internet) & GPRS Services.
  • '''CDMA'''
  • '''Multilinks Telkom:''' Services: Calls, SMS & DATA (Internet).
  • '''Visafone:''' Services: Calls, SMS & DATA (Internet).
  • '''Starcomms:''' Services: Calls, SMS & DATA (Internet).
  • '''Note:''' In Nigeria SMS (Short Messaging Service) is known as "Text".

    Get out