Nigeria thrums with rhythm and reinvention. Home to ancient Nok terracottas, centuries of Yoruba, Hausa-Fulani, and Igbo heritage, and the modern blaze of Afrobeats and Nollywood, it’s a country of big cities and bigger personalities. This 7-day itinerary pairs Lagos—the coastal megacity of art, markets, and beaches—with Abuja, the master-planned capital cradled by dramatic granite hills.

Expect bold flavors—jollof rice with smoky notes, pepper soup with a fiery kick, suya grilled over hot coals—and an arts scene that stretches from street murals to the famed Nike Art Gallery. You’ll walk Africa’s longest canopy walkway at Lekki Conservation Centre, trace the slave route at Badagry, and catch Abuja’s soft sunsets over Jabi Lake and Aso Rock.

Practical notes: Check current visa and vaccination requirements and consider malaria prophylaxis. Traffic in Lagos is real—plan buffer time and lean on ride-hailing apps. Card acceptance is growing, but keep some naira on hand for markets; ATMs are common in city centers. Always monitor local advisories and follow hotel and guide recommendations on where to wander after dark.

Lagos

Lagos is Nigeria’s cultural engine: galleries in Ikoyi, sizzling grills in Surulere, fashion houses in Victoria Island (VI), and surfable waves and beach clubs along the Lekki Peninsula. It’s kinetic and creative, where conversations in English, pidgin, and Yoruba braid together over coffee or palm wine.

Top highlights include the Nike Art Gallery’s towering canvases, the wooden boardwalk and canopy walkway at Lekki Conservation Centre, the waterfront cafés on the Five Cowries Creek, and the storied town of Badagry—once a bustling port on the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

• Where to stay (search and book):
  • Browse apartments and villas on VRBO Lagos or hotels on Hotels.com Lagos.
  • Standout picks: The Wheatbaker (art-forward boutique in Ikoyi), Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Lagos (creekside views and pool), budget-friendly Ibis Lagos Ikeja near the airport, and for a coastal retreat, Jara Beach Resort (great for a night or two out by the Atlantic).
  • More Lagos-area options: The George Hotel (quiet elegance in Ikoyi) and Lekki Central Hotel (good Lekki address).
• How to get here: Fly into LOS (Murtala Muhammed International). Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. For a smooth arrival, consider a private transfer: Lagos Airport (LOS) to Lagos - Arrival Private Transfer.

Day 1: Arrival in Lagos, Waterfront Sundowners, and Contemporary Nigerian Cuisine

Afternoon: Land in Lagos and breeze through to your hotel. If you prefer to avoid taxi queues, pre-book the Lagos Airport (LOS) to Lagos - Arrival Private Transfer. Settle into Ikoyi or VI to be close to galleries, cafés, and lagoon views.

Evening: Ease in with dinner at Nok by Alára (modern takes on West African classics in a design-forward space) or The Grill by Delis (excellent steaks and seafood near the creek). If you want a relaxed vibe, Cactus on Ozumba Mbadiwe serves hearty salads, pizzas, and grills right on the water.

Night: For live music and art, swing by Bogobiri House in Ikoyi—jam sessions, spoken word, and a crowd of artists and travelers. Prefer a classic skyline cocktail? Try Sky Restaurant & Lounge at Eko Hotel for a bird’s-eye view of Victoria Island.

Day 2: Lagos Island Heritage, Markets, and Galleries

Morning: Coffee and a pastry at Art Café (espresso, shakshuka, and a tucked-away courtyard). Then dive into history at the National Museum Lagos to see sculptural masterpieces and glimpses of Nigeria’s post-independence story. Stroll to Freedom Park—once a colonial-era prison, now a cultural venue lined with murals and sculptures.

Afternoon: Head to Lagos Island’s markets. Balogun and Tinubu squares flash with textiles (ankara prints), headwraps, and beadwork. Eat lunch at Yellow Chilli in VI later—try seafood okra, goat meat pepper soup, or efo riro with pounded yam for a home-style feast.

Evening: Explore the Nike Art Gallery in Lekki, a soaring wonder of canvases and textiles (ask staff about the stories behind indigo-dyed adire). For dinner, RSVP Lagos serves modern plates and a buzzy bar; or Terra Kulture’s restaurant for jollof rice and a side of theater if there’s a show. Nightcap at Jazzhole (vinyl, books, and a cultured crowd) or RSVP’s pool bar if you’re in the mood for a scene.

Optional guided experience: Let a local pro handle logistics with the 7 hour Lagos City Tour—it connects art, history, and markets without the transport puzzle.

Day 3: Nature Walks and Beach Time on the Lekki Peninsula

Morning: Start at Eric Kayser VI for croissants and iced coffee, then go early to avoid queues at Lekki Conservation Centre. Walk the boardwalk under palms, keep an eye out for monkeys, and brave Africa’s longest canopy walkway for sweeping views (allow ~2 hours; modest entry fees apply).

Bookable tour: Lekki Conservation Center Extraordinary Tour—great if you want transport, skip-the-planning convenience, and a guide to spot wildlife.

Afternoon: Beach time. Landmark Leisure Beach or Oniru Private Beach offer loungers, showers, and lively bites; day passes are available at the gate. Lunch on fish tacos, grilled prawns, or suya skewers from beachside vendors.

Evening: Clean up and head to Circa Nonpareil (bridges modern Nigerian and international dishes) or The House Lagos (comfort food in a homey, living-room setting). For dessert, scoops at Hans & René (local favorite gelato). If you’re game, Sailors Lounge over the Lekki waters is breezy for late-night drinks.

Day 4: Badagry Black Heritage Day Trip

Morning: Grab a quick cappuccino at Vestar Coffee (VI), then depart early (allow ~2 hours each way) for Badagry. This coastal town holds powerful reminders of the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Bookable, in-depth tour: Slave Trade Tour: Badagry Black Heritage Adventure—visit the slave museum, Brazilian Baracoon (former cells), the “Point of No Return,” and hear resilient local histories told by expert guides.

Afternoon: Continue across the lagoon by canoe toward the Atlantic spit; the quiet walk to the shoreline is a moment for reflection. Lunch can be simple—grilled fish and plantains at a local joint—before the drive back to the city.

Evening: Back in Lagos, keep dinner light: The House Café for salads and wraps or Ofada Boy in Surulere if you want a hearty bowl of smoky jollof or ofada rice with peppery ayamase sauce. Rest up—tomorrow you head north.

Abuja

Abuja is Nigeria’s cooler, green capital: a planned city framed by Aso Rock and dotted with parks, lakes, and wide boulevards. It’s calmer than Lagos, with a café culture that’s easy to slip into and sunset views that glow over Jabi Lake and the surrounding hills.

Expect clean-lined architecture—from the National Mosque’s golden dome to the soaring National Christian Centre—plus tranquil gardens, art spaces, and day trips to Zuma Rock. Food-wise, think grills and suya stands, pan-Nigerian dishes at “bukkas,” and international kitchens scattered through Maitama and Wuse 2.

• Where to stay (search and book): Find apartments on VRBO Abuja or hotels on Hotels.com Abuja. Aim for Maitama, Wuse 2, Central Business District, or Jabi to be near cafés and parks.
• Getting here from Lagos: Domestic flights LOS–ABV take ~1 hr 15 min; fares often run ~$60–150 one way. Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Plan a morning departure to maximize your first afternoon in Abuja.

Day 5: Fly to Abuja, Parks and Art, Northern Flavors

Morning: Early transfer to LOS. If you want a booked ride, there’s also a Departure Lagos City Center to Lagos Airport LOS by Private Sedan. Catch a morning flight to Abuja (~1:15).

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs at Millennium Park’s tree-lined paths. Pop into Nike Art Gallery Abuja (smaller than Lagos but with strong textiles and sculpture). Coffee and carrot cake at Salamander Café—part bookstore, part neighborhood hub.

Evening: Dinner at Bukka Restaurant (Transcorp Hilton) for a pan-Nigerian spread—pounded yam, egusi, oha soup, and grilled fish—served buffet-style so you can sample widely. For a laid-back nightcap, find a terrace around Wuse 2 or Jabi Lake and watch the city glow.

Day 6: Abuja’s Icons, Granite Outcrops, and Lake Life

Guided overview (recommended): Abuja City Tour - Discover Nigeria's Capital—see the National Mosque, National Christian Centre, city viewpoints near Aso Rock, and parks in one smooth circuit, with local context throughout.

Morning (if DIY): Start with The Cube Café (excellent flat whites). Drive past the National Mosque and National Christian Centre to appreciate the symmetry of Abuja’s civic core. Quick photo stop near Aso Rock’s viewpoints.

Afternoon: Head to Jabi Lake for a boat ride or lakeside stroll; it’s breezy and photogenic. Lunch at Nkoyo (try smoky jollof, spicy goat, and plantains) or Wakkis (Indian-Naija grill where skewers sizzle over open flames).

Evening: Golden-hour outing to Maitama’s quiet hills or Katampe Hill (the geographic center of Nigeria) for a wide panorama. Dinner at The Pasha (excellent Lebanese grills and mezze) or Vanilla Restaurant for contemporary plates. Wind down early or find live music around Wuse 2.

Day 7: Slow Morning, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Easy brunch at The Charcoal Grill or back to Salamander for pancakes and Nigerian coffee. If you’re souvenir hunting, pop into a trusted crafts shop or a mall boutique for adire textiles and beadwork.

Afternoon: Depart from ABV. Compare outbound flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re returning to Lagos for an international connection, plan a morning flight ABV–LOS and allow generous buffer time for traffic to the airport.

Optional Lagos Add‑Ons (If You Have Extra Energy in Days 2–3)

Makoko Floating Community Tour: A guided canoe ride through Lagos’s stilt village offers thoughtful insight into daily life on the water. Book: Makoko Floating Community Tour.

Food & Coffee Shortlist (for easy reference)

• Coffee/Breakfast: Art Café (VI), Eric Kayser (VI), Vestar Coffee (VI), The Cube Café (Abuja), Salamander Café (Abuja)
• Lunch: Yellow Chilli (VI, Nigerian staples), Terra Kulture (VI, theater + plates), Ofada Boy (Surulere, hearty sauces), Nkoyo (Abuja, Nigerian favorites), Wakkis (Abuja, grill)
• Dinner: Nok by Alára (fusion West African), The Grill by Delis (steaks/seafood), Cactus (waterfront comfort), The Pasha (Abuja, Lebanese), Vanilla Restaurant (Abuja, contemporary)
• Drinks/Music: Bogobiri House (Ikoyi), Sailors Lounge (Lekki), Jazzhole (Ikoyi), rooftop lounges around VI and Wuse 2

Logistics & Tips

• In‑city transport: Ride-hailing apps are handy; set pickup on the correct side of busy roads. In Lagos, plan 45–90 minutes between Lekki/VI and Ikeja during rush hours.
• Cash & SIM: Cards widely accepted at hotels and major venues; markets prefer cash. Grab an MTN or Airtel SIM at the airport with passport ID.
• Health & safety: Use mosquito repellent, drink bottled water, and avoid night driving on unfamiliar roads. Follow your guide’s advice in markets and busy areas.

Alternate Lagos Guided Day (swap for Day 2 or 3): If you want one comprehensive day, try the Lagos City Nigeria Private Full Day Tour for monuments, galleries, and markets in one go.

Across a week, you’ll feel Nigeria’s pulse—from Lagos’s art and beaches to Abuja’s granite horizons. You’ll leave with the taste of jollof, the echo of talking drums, and a deeper understanding of the stories that shaped West Africa.