Interesting Places and Tourist Attractions in Lagos

Forget about the "Welcome to Lagos" madness! Forget about the terrorist attacks in Northern Nigeria (Lagos is far away from there - distance from Lagos to Northern Nigeria is farther than Aberdeen to Plymouth. Forget about all the madness you have heard about Lagos - Lagos is the place to be. Some call it the poor man's New York - I call it the most unique city in the world.

There are too many tourist attractions in Lagos - from the Island, Mainland, Epe, Badagry, Apapa, Ikeja, Sango etc. But I'll post a few for now.

What makes Lagos thick - and the places you need to visit, when next you're in Lagos include the followings:

The Civic Centre

The Civic centre with its three banqueting rooms (Grand Banquet Hall, Panoramic View Hall, Floating Restaurant), and two Meeting Rooms, offer breathtaking hospitality and service complete with incomparable value for money. This new centre boasts the latest state-of-the-art facilities with in-house technology partners offering infra-red simultaneous translation systems and wireless internet broadband connectivity (Wi-Fi) as well as video conferencing that can connect all our halls. All Halls are standard with projector, screen and microphones at no additional Charge.

Civic Centre

Third Mainland Bridge
The Third Mainland Bridge is the longest of three bridges connecting Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria to the mainland, the other two being the Eko and Carter bridges. It is the longest bridge in Africa. The bridge starts from Oworonshoki which is linked to the Apapa-Oshodi express way and Lagos-Ibadan express way, and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island. There is also a link midway through the bridge that leads to the Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba. The bridge was built by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and opened by President Ibrahim Babangida in 1990; it measures about 11.8km in length.

Third Mainland Bridge

Badagry
Founded in the early 15th century on a lagoon off the Gulf of Guinea, its protected harbour led to the town becoming a key port in the export of slaves to the Americas, which were mainly to Salvador, Bahia in Brazil. From the 1840s, following the suppression of the slave trade, Badagry declined significantly, but became a major site of Christian mission work. In 1863, the town was annexed by the United Kingdom and incorporated into the Lagos colony. In 1901, it became a part of Nigeria. Badagry subsists largely on fishing and agriculture,and maintains a small museum of slavery. This is the first storey building in Nigeria, overlooking the Marina waterfront. It was built in 1842 by the missionaries.

Badagry Beach

Black Heritage Museum, Badagry
Founded in part by a Nigerian cultural commission, the Black Heritage Museum preserves artifacts and records from the slave route that once ran through Badagry.

Black Heritage Museum

Eko Hotel

Eko Hotel & Suites is the most prestigious international hotel in Lagos, strategically positioned near the heart of Nigeria’s economic activity. Built on the exclusive Victoria Island, the Hotel is spread over three buildings and has spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Kuramo Lagoon. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and magnificent African landscaping, Eko Hotel & Suites is the place to stay when in Lagos for business or for recreation.

Eko Hotel

Eko Gym and Spa
The gym gives information on exercise including an understanding of the different types of exercise and the benefits of doing them. Also, you'll receive helpful nutrition advice (nutrition, body building and dietary supplements available from our shop) as well as health tips on how to deal with stress, quitting smoking,
lowering high blood pressure and many more.

Eko Gym and Spa

Federal Palace Hotel
Hotel built in 1960, Last complete renovation 2008, Number of floors 4, Total number of rooms 146, Number of double rooms 146, Rooms with connecting door 16, Number of suites (separate rooms) 12, Hotel. The federal palace hotel with its casinos, restaurants and bars is a place to hangout with friends and meet new people. However be prepared to spend good money as this place doesn’t come cheap.

Federal Palace Hotel

Freedom Park, Lagos
It represents a journey towards the greater goal; the triumph of humanity over all forms of tyranny, both political and social and the ultimate liberation of the human spirit from all that seeks to confine it.

Freedom Park, Lagos

Iga Idungaran (Oba's Palace)

The palatial residence of the local monarch, the Oba of Lagos.

Iga Idungaran (Oba's Palace)

Marina (CMS)
If I can remember vividly, Marina (CMS) along with Broad street used to be Nigeria's wall street - before everything was moved to Victoria Island (according to my friends in Nigeria). I'm a Lagos Island boy - and Campos is home away from my father's house lol.

Marina (CMS)

National Museum, Lagos

The National Museum Lagos is now over fifty years old, having been established just before Nigeria achieved full independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. It has one of the most significant collections of West African antiquities in the world. Lord Cultural Resources was asked by the Ford Foundation to facilitate a retreat for the National Museum to identify the vision for a revitalized museum in terms of its role and impact in Nigeria, West Africa and the world at large. 

National Museum, Lagos

National Arts, Theatre
Built and commissioned in 1977, this edifice is one of Nigeria’s most culturally significant entertainment spots. The theatre although not well managed is however a beauty to behold, with its many rooms and halls as well as spacious and serene environment, this place is ideal for weekend visits and public holiday relaxation. The national arts theatre is located in Iganmu.

National Arts, Theatre

Nite Shift Coliseum

Swanky ceremonies, performances and other events are held at this notable coliseum. Attraction type  Bar/ Clubs; Dance Club/ Discos

NiteShift Coliseum

Oniru Beach

Oniru Beach in Lekki is another fun place to visit especially on weekends and public holidays. The opportunity to ride horses and swim in the Atlantic Ocean though not everyone’s idea of an outdoor activity is still worth the trouble.

Oniru Beach

Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki
The palms shopping mall is by far the most sophisticated shopping center in Lagos Nigeria with world class facilities, shops and malls that could leave you gasping for breathe. I respect the luxury and neatness of this place. Of course just like the silverbird galleria, the Palms center has cinemas and other lifestyle shops but it is by far a classy place in a world of its own. Virtually anything under the sun can be bought here. The Palms is located in Lekki area of Lagos.

Palms Shopping Mall, Lekki

Saipan Restuarant
SAIPAN is a contemporary Chinese restaurant and wine bar situated on the 3rd & 4th Floors of Dream Plaza, Bishop Aboyade Cole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The restaurant name ‘Saipan’ is derived from a beautiful, unspoiled tropical paradise island situated in the pacific ocean where tourists go to relax and enjoy themselves, thus Saipan is the restaurant for people who have a taste for class and good food. The restaurant has a grand reception hall which will overwhelm you before you even step into the main bar and restaurant. While you are Dining, you will enjoy a breathtaking view over The Lagos skyline.

Saipan Restuarant

Silverbird Cinema and Galleria
The silverbird Galleria is a one stop shopping center with many modern shopping facilities. It is a relaxation center with the very best of entertainment and lifestyle services on offer. For instance one of Nigeria’s leading cinema companies, the silverbird cinemas is located in the multi purpose building. It has a very large space on the ground floor on which various events hold on a day to day basis such as dance competitions, parties and other forms of amusement. There are other notable activities you could find at this place such as bowling, bookstores, boutiques and a host of others. Of course the quality of service at this place is world class. The silverbird galleria can be found at Ahmadu Bello way in Victoria Island.

Silverbird Cinema

Silverbird Cinema and Galleria

Synagogue Church, Ikotun
Visitors are welsome at the Synagogue Church Of All Nations, but arrangements must be made in advance.  Almost everyone who goes there stays for a week to pray and attend services, have fellowship with other worshipers and be inspired by the simple and practical teaching of God's Word by TB Joshua. You could witness incredible healing, shocking deliverance, remarkably accurate prophetic messages, a 12 hour service, teaching, friendly workers and an atmosphere of faith, love and giving. 

Synagogue Church

Synagogue Church

Tinubu Square
Nigerian businesswoman and patriot, after whom a prominent Lagos landmark, "Tinubu Square," is named. She lived in the 19th century and was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Western Nigeria, to a trading family. Tinubu square is by Broad street, CMS, Marina - and the Brazilian quarters in Lagos Island (Campos, is just a stone throw from there).

Tinubu Square

The Three White Cap Chiefs
This is one of the monuments I will always remember, every time I remember Lagos. Memories, I tell ya! This statue of three Lagos white cap chiefs is one of the most famous monuments in Lagos. They reside on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. In Nigeria, the Aro Meta, a white granite sculpture of three Lagos white-cap chiefs has also become synonymous with Lagos, the former capital of Nigeria and the nation's commercial hub.  The sculpture is a familiar sight to many people who drive into Lagos. It is not just a mere sculpture; it is rich in its meaning. The three sculpted chiefs depict the three kinds of traditional greetings on Lagos Island or Eko. Eko refers to the digenous people of Lagos mainly occupying Lagos Island.

The Three White Cap Chiefs

PS: There are too many interesting places in Lagos - but these are the ones I can remember for now.