Experience the best of Lagos

Lagos spreads across islands and mainland shores around a large lagoon on Nigeria's Atlantic coast, and is the country's commercial heart. Lagos Island holds the old trading quarter, with the National Museum at Onikan and the busy Balogun Market. Victoria Island, Ikoyi and Lekki to the east are lined with hotels, galleries and beaches. Freedom Park, set in a former colonial prison, hosts music, theatre and food stalls.

Afrobeat was born in this city, and the New Afrika Shrine carries on Fela Kuti's tradition with live music into the small hours. The Lekki Conservation Centre has a long canopy walkway through swamp forest, and the stilt community of Makoko rises from the lagoon. Badagry, a historic port about sixty kilometres west, holds museums of the Atlantic slave trade. On Lagos Island, masked Eyo figures in white robes parade through the streets on festival days.

Jollof rice, suya, spicy grilled meat on skewers, pounded yam with egusi soup, akara bean fritters and sweet fried plantain are the foundation of Lagos eating, often served at roadside stalls and open-air bukas. Rain is heaviest between April and October, and the dusty harmattan wind blows from December to February.