Nigeria is West Africa’s giant—home to 200+ million people, over 250 ethnic groups, and a creative scene that reverberates worldwide. From Yoruba kingdoms to the rise of Nollywood and Afrobeats, the country’s past and present intertwine in its art, cuisine, and street life.

For one week, you’ll split time between vibrant Lagos and elegant Abuja: kayak-like canoe rides through Makoko’s stilted homes, canopy walking above coastal marshes, walking the slave route in Badagry, and hiking to panoramic viewpoints over Nigeria’s capital.

Practical notes: You’ll fly into Lagos (LOS) and out of Abuja (ABV). Carry a Visa/Mastercard and some naira (cash can still be handy). Expect traffic in Lagos—plan early starts, use ride-hailing, and stay alert at night. Yellow fever vaccination is required; consider malaria prophylaxis. Nigerian flavors run deep—try jollof rice, suya, pounded yam with egusi, and pepper soup.

Lagos

Lagos is Africa’s creative capital: Afrobeat pulsates from clubs, galleries brim with color, and street food sizzles on every corner. The city sprawls from historic Lagos Island to upscale Victoria Island and leafy Ikoyi, with day trips to beaches and mangroves.

• Top sights: Nike Art Gallery, Lekki Conservation Centre, Freedom Park, National Museum, Lekki Arts & Crafts Market, Tarkwa Bay.
• Local flavor: Suya stands, buka-style amala joints, and high-energy live music at night.
• Getting in: Fly to LOS via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Consider a pre-booked transfer like Airport Transfer One Way for a smooth arrival.

Where to stay (Lagos):

• Value: Ibis Lagos Airport or Ibis Lagos Ikeja — reliable, budget-friendly, close to the airport.
• Mid-range waterfront: Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Lagos — lagoon views, central for VI/Ikoyi exploring.
• Boutique splurge: The Wheatbaker / The Wheatbaker Lagos — refined design, strong service and dining.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Lagos or Hotels.com Lagos.

Day 1: Arrival in Lagos, Lagoon Views, and Suya Under the Stars

Afternoon: Arrive at LOS. Consider Airport Transfer Service One way to your hotel. Settle in and grab a cold zobo or Chapman.

Evening: Shake off jet lag with a stroll along the Five Cowries Creek promenade near Ikoyi/VI. Dinner ideas: Yellow Chilli (modern Nigerian—signature seafood okra and jollof), Terra Kulture (ofada rice and grilled fish with art on the walls), or a street-side suya stand like University of Suya (thin-sliced spicy beef with yaji spice). Nightcap at Art Café (quiet garden vibe) or live music at Bogobiri House on select nights.

Day 2: Art, Crafts, and the Lekki Canopy Walk

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Art Café or Vestar Coffee. Dive into color at Nike Art Gallery—thousands of works from across Nigeria. Continue to the Lekki Arts & Crafts Market for beads, adire textiles, and carved masks; haggle with a smile.

Afternoon: Head to the mangroves of Lekki Conservation Centre for monkeys, boardwalks, and Africa’s longest canopy walkway. Join the Lekki Conservation Center Extraordinary Tour for a guided experience and skip-the-confusion entry.

Evening: Dinner at NOK by Alára (pan-African plates; book ahead) or RSVP for grills and a lively bar scene. Budget-friendly alternative: The Place (fast-casual Nigerian menu) with a late stroll at Freedom Park if there’s a performance or open-air event.

Day 3: Makoko by Canoe, Museum Time, and Afrobeat Night

Morning: Join the Makoko Floating Community Tour for a respectful, guided paddle through the world’s largest stilt village. It’s a vivid window into resilience and community life—bring small bills for local crafts.

Afternoon: Explore the National Museum’s Benin bronzes, Nok terracottas, and independence-era memorabilia. Lunch at Terra Kulture or Jevinik (hearty Nigerian portions—edikaikong soup is a favorite).

Evening: If you love live music, head to the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja on show nights for Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat legacy, smoky suya, and high-energy crowds. Otherwise, Omenka Gallery at Ikoyi’s lagoon edge often hosts evening exhibitions—pair with dinner at Bungalow Restaurant (sushi and grills).

Day 4: Badagry Slave Route Day Trip

Make an early start for a powerful day in Badagry, once a major slave port. The Slave Trade Tour: Badagry Black Heritage Adventure traces the Point of No Return, relics at the Slave Museum, and Brazilian barracoon stories with local historians.

Lunch in town (try fresh fish with ata din-din), then return to Lagos by late afternoon. Evening back in VI: casual dinner at Hard Rock Lagos for familiar bites, or seafood at Ocean Basket. If energy remains, stroll the waterfront for night views.

Travel to Abuja

Fly from Lagos (LOS) to Abuja (ABV) in about 1h 15m. Fares typically range from ~$45–$120 one-way when booked in advance on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim for a morning flight; Abuja’s airport is efficient, and traffic is milder than Lagos.

Abuja

Purpose-built in the 1980s, Abuja is all clean boulevards, monumental architecture, and hulking rock outcrops like Aso Rock and Zuma Rock. It’s calmer than Lagos, with parks, lakes, and day hikes minutes from town.

• Top sights: Aso Rock viewpoints, National Mosque, National Christian Centre, Jabi Lake, Arts & Crafts Village.
• Outdoor fun: Wonderland Mountain, Usuma Dam viewpoints, monolith sunsets.
• Where to stay: Browse VRBO Abuja or Hotels.com Abuja for mid-range hotels and serviced apartments near Wuse, Maitama, or Central Area.

Day 5: Fly to Abuja, Lakeside Strolls, and Northern Flavors

Morning: Fly LOS→ABV (1h 15m) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi or ride-hail to your hotel; check in and refresh.

Afternoon: Coffee at The Cube Café or Salamander Café (bookshop vibe), then a relaxed loop around Jabi Lake and the nearby park. Pick up leather, beadwork, and carvings at the Arts & Crafts Village.

Evening: Dinner at Wakkis (open-flame Indian-Nigerian grill; great for groups) or Nkoyo (elevated Nigerian classics—try coconut rice and grilled catfish). Night drink at Central Area lounges or a quiet tea in Maitama.

Day 6: Hike Wonderland Mountain and Aso Rock Views

Morning: Lace up for the Guided Hike at Wonderland Mountain Abuja with Scenic Viewpoints. The trail winds to a rocky perch with sweeping views over Nigeria’s capital—golden light is best early.

Afternoon: Continue to Aso Rock area for photo stops and short walks on established viewpoints. If time allows, detour to Usuma Dam for serene water-and-hill landscapes.

Evening: Casual dinner at Jevinik (large portions, friendly prices) or 355 Steakhouse & Lounge (if you’re craving a steak and mocktails). Try suya from a trusted vendor for a streetside snack.

Day 7: Abuja Highlights and Departure

Morning: Join the Abuja City Tour - Discover Nigeria's Capital to see the National Mosque’s golden dome, the soaring National Christian Centre, and civic architecture with a local guide’s context.

Afternoon: Early lunch—pepper soup or jollof—then head to ABV for your flight. Search departures on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have extra time, pick up last-minute crafts or leather goods downtown.

Optional Lagos Tour Add-on (if you swap a Lagos free day)

If you prefer a guided sampler, consider the 7 Hours Journey Through The Best Of Lagos or the 7 hour Lagos City Tour for an efficient art–nature–history day.

Budget & Logistics Tips

• Budget level 50/100: Mix value stays (Ibis, VRBO apartments) with one-night splurges (Radisson Blu). Eat local at Jevinik/The Place; save specialty dining for a couple of nights.
• Getting around: Ride-hailing apps are widely used. Start early to beat Lagos traffic. For Tarkwa Bay boats, go with reputable operators and wear a life vest.
• Cash & connectivity: ATMs are common but bring a backup card and some cash. Buy a local SIM at the airport with your passport.

Where to book at a glance: International and domestic flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; Lagos stays at Radisson Blu Anchorage, The Wheatbaker Lagos, or browse VRBO Lagos; Abuja options via Hotels.com Abuja or VRBO Abuja. For arrivals in Lagos, consider Airport Transfer One Way.

This one-week Nigeria itinerary delivers Lagos’s creative pulse and Abuja’s open-sky calm—canopy walks, canoe tours, heritage storytelling, and hikes with big views. You’ll leave with red-dusted shoes, new rhythms in your head, and a deeper connection to West Africa’s most talked-about destination.