Districts · Lagos
Lagos by district
Lagos Island is the old centre and the business and government district. Victoria Island and Ikoyi, on the seaward side, hold most hotels, embassies, restaurants and galleries. Lekki runs east along the coast. The airport is on the mainland at Ikeja, across bridges from all of these.
About these names
Distances mislead: two points 8 km apart can be two hours apart at rush hour. Group each day in one district and cross between them off-peak.Distances mislead: two points 5 mi apart can be two hours apart at rush hour. Group each day in one district and cross between them off-peak.
- Victoria IslandsleepeatseeSuits: First visit, hotel-based staysHotels, banks, restaurants, Terra Kulture and the beaches' road; the easiest base for a short stay.1 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- IkoyisleepeatSuits: Quiet nights, longer staysLeafy, gated and calm, with clubs, cafés and serviced apartments; a car for everything.1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Lagos IslandseeSuits: One morning by carFreedom Park, Tafawa Balewa Square, the National Museum at Onikan and the old markets; crowded, so go early and keep phones away.3 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- LekkiseeeatSuits: A morning of art and craftNike Art Gallery, the arts and crafts market and the beaches; the road there is the slowest part.3 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Ikeja and the mainlandskip as a baseSuits: Airport, and the Fela Shrine for music fansAirport, business and the New Afrika Shrine; not a first-visit base.District guide →
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Ikeja and the mainland. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Victoria Island: Hotels, banks, restaurants, Terra Kulture and the beaches' road; the easiest base for a short stay. Suits: First visit, hotel-based stays. Price band $$$.
- Ikoyi: Leafy, gated and calm, with clubs, cafés and serviced apartments; a car for everything. Suits: Quiet nights, longer stays. Price band $$$.
- Lagos Island: Freedom Park, Tafawa Balewa Square, the National Museum at Onikan and the old markets; crowded, so go early and keep phones away. Suits: One morning by car.
- Lekki: Nike Art Gallery, the arts and crafts market and the beaches; the road there is the slowest part. Suits: A morning of art and craft.
- Ikeja and the mainland: Airport, business and the New Afrika Shrine; not a first-visit base. Suits: Airport, and the Fela Shrine for music fans.
- Sleep area Ikoyi: suits Quiet nights, longer stays, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Victoria Island: suits First visit, hotel-based stays, price band $$$.
- Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS), about 19 km12 mi from the centre, 75–150 min by the usual route.