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Lagos is Nigeria’s largest city and West Africa’s commercial capital, a sprawling coastal metropolis of roughly 15 to 20 million people spread across the mainland, Lagos Island and Victoria Island. It sits on the Gulf of Guinea at 6.5°N latitude, giving it a tropical savanna climate with steady heat and a long rainy season from April to October. This guide covers the city’s weather by month, the best time to visit and where to stay, with dedicated articles on things to do, neighborhoods, events and practical travel tips.
Welcome to Lagos
Most first-time visitors land at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, then split their stay between the business districts of Victoria Island and Ikoyi and the beaches and galleries along Lekki. The city runs on its own rhythm: rush-hour traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge, yellow danfo minibuses threading the expressways, and suya grills smoking on street corners after dark. Give yourself extra time for every journey, carry cash in small notes, and you will settle into the pace quickly.
The islands are the natural base for a first trip. Victoria Island holds the business towers, Landmark Beach and most top restaurants, while Ikoyi next door is greener, quieter and more expensive. Lekki stretches east with the Nike Art Gallery and Lekki Conservation Centre, and the historic markets of Lagos Island sit across the water. Everywhere is linked by bridges and the new Blue Line rail, though traffic still decides how long anything takes.
Weather in Lagos at a Glance
Temperatures barely move all year: daytime highs run 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F) and overnight lows 22 to 25°C (72 to 77°F). What changes is the rain. The dry season, November to March, brings 25 to 90mm a month and seven hours of daily sun, while the wet season, April to October, delivers up to 312mm in June alone.
Humidity runs 75 to 90 percent, and the sea temperature off the coast stays 27 to 29°C, so swimming is possible year-round. The Harmattan, a dry, dusty wind from the Sahara, arrives between December and February, cooling mornings and cutting visibility.
Lagos Seasons at a Glance
- Dry season (November to March): 25 to 90mm of rain a month, seven hours of sun, highs of 31 to 33°C (88 to 91°F). The best weather, with December the busiest and most expensive month.
- First rains (April to May): 137 to 185mm a month as afternoon storms build. Still five to six hours of sun, with hotel prices falling after February.
- Rainy season (June to October): 190 to 312mm a month, flooding on low roads, and the lowest hotel and flight prices of the year. August often brings a short drier break.
- Harmattan (December to February): dry, dusty Saharan wind that cools mornings, lowers humidity and can reduce visibility.
Lagos Travel Guide: What to Read Next
- Lagos Weather by Month – temperatures, rainfall, humidity and sunshine for all 12 months, with a comparison table and a month-by-month breakdown.
- Best Time to Visit Lagos – the exact months for the best weather, lowest prices and biggest events, plus which months to avoid.
- Things to Do in Lagos – beaches, art galleries, museums and markets with locations, hours and entry prices in naira.
- Lagos Events and Festivals – Felabration, the jazz festival, food festivals and more, with dates and what to expect.
- Lagos Neighborhoods – Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Yaba and Surulere, and who each one suits.
- Where to Stay in Lagos – recommended hotels across three areas, from luxury to budget, with verified booking links.
- Lagos Travel Tips and FAQ – airports, visas, money, safety, getting around and answers to the questions visitors ask most.
Quick Facts About Lagos
- Best beach months: December to February (dry, sunny, 25 to 60mm of rain).
- Warmest month: February, averaging 33°C (91°F) by day.
- Coolest months: July and August, with highs of 28°C (82°F).
- Wettest month: June, with about 312mm of rain.
- Sea temperature: 27 to 29°C year-round.
- Sunshine: seven hours a day in the dry season, three in July and August.
- Airport: Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS), Ikeja.
- Currency: Nigerian naira, around 1,500 to 1,600 per US dollar.
Where to Stay in Lagos
Base yourself on Victoria Island for the shortest ride to business, restaurants and the beach, or in Ikoyi for quieter, more secure streets. Budget travelers and anyone with an early flight should look at Ikeja near the airport, where rooms cost a fraction of island prices. The full breakdown, with three hotels per area, is in the Where to Stay article linked above.
Suggested Hotels in Lagos
Eko Hotel Suites
Eko Hotel Suites anchors Victoria Island with a large room inventory, nine restaurants and seven bars, plus direct access to Kuramo Beach and a lagoon-side pool. Best for first-time visitors and business travelers who want dining and a beach inside one complex. Check rates and availability
Four Points by Sheraton Lagos
Four Points by Sheraton Lagos has 231 rooms with a terrace, a bar and a small pool, sitting about 2km from Nike Art Gallery on Victoria Island. Best for mid-range travelers who want a dependable international brand without the Eko price tag. Check rates and availability
Ibis Lagos Ikeja
Ibis Lagos Ikeja is Accor’s budget brand near the airport with compact rooms, free WiFi and a 24-hour reception. Best for travelers who need a clean, affordable bed close to an early flight. Check rates and availability
