5 Daytrips to Make from Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos can be hectic! Sometimes, all you need to clear your head and get yourself together again is a change of environment. Day trips provide an excellent avenue for that. Whether you live in Lagos or you’re just visiting, here are five city breaks you can take without breaking the bank.

Badagry is a coastal town located between Lagos and the Seme border, about two hours away from Lagos city center. The town has a deep and dark history as it served as a major port in the export of slaves. Badagry is home to the first storey building in Nigeria, several museums containing relics from the slave trade era as well as some really nice beaches.

Olumo rock is located in the city of Abeokuta. The rock is notable for the significant role it played during the 19th century inter-tribal war involving the Egba people. Abeokuta is also famous for its Adire merchants and markets. This tourist attraction is located less than two hours away from Lagos and can be reached by either car or train.

The Ibadan Zoological Garden is about an hour and thirty minutes away from Lagos. This is one of the foremost zoos established in Nigeria and has recently undergone a couple of upgrades to restore it to its former glory. To make the most out of your trip, try combining a visit to the zoo with other activities. 

Lagos has a few beaches close to the city center. Often times, they are very crowded and quite rowdy. You can get away from the crowds by visiting lesser known beaches and resorts located within an hour from the city.

Osun and Ekiti states are located about 3-4 hours away from Lagos so this one is a long shot. But it can be and has been done in a day. A visit to any of these sites is best done over the weekend but if you set out early, you can in fact see all or a few of them in a day.