What to do

Things to Do in Lagos: A Local's Overview

Lagos packs an extraordinary amount into a small, walkable town — and the best way to plan is to think in two halves: what you do on the water and what you do on land. Between them you've got days of options, from the iconic to the quietly local. Here's how we'd frame it.

On the water — the unmissable side of Lagos

This coast is the reason most people come, and the sea is where Lagos shines:

• Boat trips to the grottos and the Benagil cave — the famous sea caves and rock formations. Start with our guide to visiting Benagil from Lagos and our honest comparison of the boat tours.


• Dolphin watching — wild dolphins in the Atlantic, a short fast trip offshore. See our dolphin watching guide.


• Ponta da Piedade by boat, kayak or on foot — the headland of golden cliffs and arches. Our complete Ponta da Piedade guide covers all three ways to see it.


• Kayak, SUP, surfing and other watersports — from gentle paddles to your first wave. If you fancy learning to surf, read our beginner's surf guide.

On land — culture, history and easy exploring

When you're off the water, the old town and its surroundings reward slow exploring: the historic centre with its walls, churches and squares; the open-air gallery of Lagos street art; and easy day trips to Sagres, Silves and the west coast when you want to venture further.

How to choose

• One day? Pair a grotto boat trip with the old town — that's the essential Lagos.


• With kids? Dolphin watching and gentle grotto tours are the usual hits.


• Active? Kayak the arches of Ponta da Piedade or take a surf lesson.


• Prefer dry land? A street-art walk and the historic centre fill a relaxed day.

Not sure how to fit it together? Our guide to how many days to spend in Lagos lays out itineraries for one to four days.

Browse all the activities below to see what's on offer and book directly — and as a registered local agency (RNAAT 40/2022), we're always happy to point you to the right experience.