Lagos is Nigeria's coastal megacity and West Africa's largest metropolis, a sprawling lagoon-side sprawl of islands and mainland districts that serves as the country's commercial, cultural, and entertainment capital. Spread across Lagos Island, Victoria Island, Ikeja, and dozens of mainland neighborhoods, Lagos is the beating heart of Afrobeats music, Nollywood film, West African fashion, and a fast-growing tech scene, all layered over historic markets, colonial-era streets, and Atlantic beaches.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Lekki Conservation Centre
West Africa's longest canopy walkway winds through swamp forest above monkeys, monitor lizards, and birdlife, with ground-level nature trails and a small zoo area suitable for all ages
Duration: 2-3 hours
Nike Art Gallery
A four-story gallery packed with Nigerian paintings, sculptures, and textiles; older children enjoy exploring the maze-like floors and watching artists at work
Duration: 1-2 hours
Landmark Beach
A gated, family-friendly Victoria Island beach with loungers, restaurants, jet ski and quad bike rentals, and relatively calm waters for a city beach
Duration: Half to full day
Omu Resort
A large family recreational park outside central Lagos featuring a small zoo, freshwater 'seaworld', amusement rides, go-karting, and quad biking
Duration: Full day
Freedom Park
A green, open-air cultural park built on the site of a former colonial prison on Lagos Island, with live music on weekends, food stalls, and open space for children to run around
Duration: 1-2 hours
Nigerian National Museum
A compact museum of Nigerian art, archaeology, and history including Nok terracotta pieces, ethnic costumes, and craft displays, a manageable introduction to Nigerian culture for school-age children
Duration: 1-2 hours
Elegushi Beach
A lively Lekki beach with horseback riding, beach volleyball, and food vendors alongside open sand for swimming and play
Duration: Half to full day
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Eko Hotel & Suites
A large Victoria Island resort-style hotel complex with a private beach, multiple pools, and space for children to roam that smaller boutique hotels lack
Family features: Private beach access, large pool deck, multiple restaurants, family and connecting rooms
Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel Lagos
A marina-front hotel in Victoria Island with a pool and central location convenient for family day trips to Landmark Beach and the Lekki-Epe Expressway attractions
Family features: Pool, family rooms, central Victoria Island location, restaurant with kid-friendly options
Ikeja City Mall-area business hotels
Mainland hotels near Ikeja City Mall put families within walking or short drive distance of a cinema, supermarket, and food court, useful for a mainland-based stay near the airport
Family features: Proximity to mall, cinema, and supermarket; generally lower rates than Victoria Island
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Mall food courts at The Palms, Ikeja City Mall, and Circle Mall offer familiar fast-food and casual options that are reliable choices with young children
Nigerian dishes like jollof rice, fried rice, and grilled chicken (suya) are widely available and generally well-liked by children
Bottled or filtered water only for children - avoid tap water and ice of uncertain origin
Book ahead or arrive early at popular Victoria Island restaurants on weekends, since they fill quickly with families and groups
Street food is part of the Lagos experience, but choose visibly busy stalls with high turnover for freshness when dining with young children
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Build downtime into every day — over-scheduled kids melt down faster than tired adults.
Carry snacks, water, and a small first-aid kit at all times.
Many attractions offer discounted family tickets — ask at the ticket window.