5 Hidden Gems in Lagos You Have Probably Never Visited (No. 3 Will Change How You See the City)

Bet you didn’t know that Lagos has a nature park where rescued monkeys roam, a mosque built by a Brazilian architect and a beach you can only reach by boat. Most people know Lagos for traffic, parties and beaches that fill up by noon. However, the city hides quieter, stranger and more beautiful corners, and you do not need a visa or a flight to find them.

So, whether you are a Lagosian who thinks you have seen it all or a visitor planning your Detty December, here are the top 5 hidden gems in Lagos worth your weekend.

1. Lufasi Nature Park, Lekki: Forest Walks Without Leaving Lagos

Think Lagos is all concrete? Lufasi Nature Park says otherwise. Founded in 2013 as the Lekki Urban Forestry and Animal Shelter Initiative, it sits on 20 hectares along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

Here you can walk shaded trails, relax on a forest-bathing platform and spot rescued monkeys, tortoises and donkeys. Birdwatchers might even see rare birds such as the endangered hooded vulture. You can also feed ducks and guinea fowl by the lakes, which kids tend to love.

Before You Go

• Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

• Entry: Listed at ₦1,500 for adults and about ₦500 for children, though the same guide also gives a ₦1,000 to ₦1,500 range, so confirm before you go.

• Bring your own food. There is no in-park restaurant, so pack a picnic.

• Rules: No smoking, loud music or alcohol, and please do not feed or chase the animals.

Note that prices and hours may have changed so be sure to make enquiries first. Also, visit on a weekday if you want a quieter experience.

2. Badagry’s Point of No Return: A Day Trip Into Living History

Next, head west to Badagry, a coastal town in Lagos State. It is where a sobering part of Nigerian history comes to life. An older guide puts it about 67 km from the Lagos airport, and notes that potholes can make the journey longer, so start early.

The most famous stop is the Point of No Return, reachable by a short boat ride followed by a sandy walk of about 30 minutes, or a horse ride if you prefer. Along the route, you pass the Slave’s Spirit Attenuation Well.

Badagry has more to offer, too. The Mobee Royal Family Original Slave Relics Museum, which displays manacles including mouth locks, and the First Storey Building from 1845, which houses the first English and Yoruba Bibles printed for Nigeria. There's also the former District Officer’s residence, where the name “Nigeria” was reputedly coined.

Also make sure to check current opening hours, boat arrangements and fees before you travel. Go in the morning, wear light clothes and comfortable shoes, and treat the visit with the respect the site deserves.

3. The Brazilian Quarter and Shitta-Bey Mosque: Lagos Island’s Secret Architecture

Here is the gem that surprises almost everyone. From the 1850s, Afro-Brazilian returnees, many of whom had been enslaved, settled on Lagos Island in an area called Popo Aguda. They were known as the Aguda, and estimates of their number range from 3,000 to 8,000. Their building styles shaped early Lagos architecture.

Sadly, only a few of those buildings remain, and rapid redevelopment threatens them. That makes a visit even more special.

The star of the quarter is the Shitta-Bey Mosque on Martins Ereko Street. It was financed by businessman Mohammed Shitta Bey and overseen by Brazilian architect João Baptista da Costa, completed in February 1892 and inaugurated in July 1894. It was designated a National Monument in 2013, and it remains an active mosque, so dress modestly and ask before you enter.

For a guided look, walking tours of the quarter have visited around 12 historic sites, including churches, mosques, schools and family homes. Alternatively, explore around Campos Square and Broad Street on your own.

4. Freedom Park: From Colonial Prison to Cultural Hub

If you have only ever passed Freedom Park on the way somewhere, stop next time. The site was once Her Majesty’s Broad Street Prison. The first structure went up in 1882, was rebuilt in brick in 1885 and was demolished in 1979), and it held activists who fought for Nigeria’s independence.

Architect Theo Lawson designed the park, which was built to mark the 50th anniversary of independence in October 2010. Today, it is a memorial, a heritage site and an arts space in one.

It is also described as a hub for art exhibitions, poetry readings and heritage displays, and suggests going in the evening for live bands and local food. So, check the events calendar, then go with friends and soak up the atmosphere.

5. Tarkwa Bay: The Beach You Reach by Boat

Finally, there is a beach most Lagos party-goers skip. Tarkwa Bay can only be reached by boat, a trip of about 15 to 20 minutes from jetties at Marina, CMS or Victoria Island. Because the Lagos breakwater shelters it from strong Atlantic currents, the water is calmer than at most Lagos beaches.

You can swim, surf, kayak, play beach volleyball or simply lounge under a canopy. Surf schools such as Tarkwa Bay Surf Club offer lessons, and small stalls sell fresh coconuts and grilled fish. Besides that, the sunset views of fishing boats and the city skyline are worth the trip alone.

The Lagos State Government has also pledged to give Tarkwa Bay a facelift and turn it into a world-class tourist site, but I found no report of completed works yet. So, confirm boat fares and schedules locally, because the guides I found do not list them.

Want more beach ideas? Read our guide to the beaches Nigerians don’t post.

Quick Tips for Exploring Lagos’s Hidden Gems

• Start early. Lagos traffic grows fast, especially in December.

• Go in a group and share your location with someone you trust.

• Carry cash and small change, since many of these places do not take cards.

• Check before you go. Prices, hours and tours change, and some of the guides I used are older.

• Respect each place. Some of these sites are memorials or places of worship.

Lagos is much more than parties and traffic. Pick one gem this weekend, take a friend and see the city differently. If you love green escapes, also read our guide to the Lekki Conservation Centre, and planning for December? Start with our first-timer’s Detty December guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best hidden gems in Lagos?

Top picks include Lufasi Nature Park, Badagry’s Point of No Return, the Brazilian Quarter and Shitta-Bey Mosque, Freedom Park and Tarkwa Bay.

2. Is there a nature park in Lagos?

Yes. Lufasi Nature Park in Lekki has forest trails, lakes and rescued animals.

3. How do you get to Tarkwa Bay?

By boat only, about 15 to 20 minutes from jetties at Marina, CMS or Victoria Island.

4. Can you visit Shitta-Bey Mosque?

It is an active mosque and a National Monument, so ask permission and dress modestly.