Nigeria is a country with incredibly rich cultures, fun and energetic people, and bustling cities, so it’s no wonder that there will be a vast number of cities for foreign travellers to explore. However, we will explore just five Nigerian cities perfect for foreign travellers.
Where do we start to write about the amazing cities of the Giant of Africa? From the fun and bustling city of Lagos to the rich and sophisticated lifestyle of Abuja, there is something unique about each city, especially for foreign travellers who intend to make the most of their visit.
Take a sip of your wine, if any, sit relaxed, and ride with us as we unveil five Nigerian cities perfect for foreign travellers.
5. Kano – the ancient city
The first mention on our list of Nigerian cities perfect for foreign travellers is the city of Kano. Aside from being one of the cities with the largest landscape in Nigeria, Kano is also one of the oldest cities that has given most northerners a bragging right because of its beauty, richness, and attractions.
But the sun! Oh! The sun in Kano can make a blind man see, so as a foreign traveller planning to visit Kano, we recommend you stock up on sunscreen and sunglasses.
If you can protect yourself from the scorching sun, then we assure you that you’ll love it there. You will be mesmerised by the warm, hospitality, and welcoming character of the locals. And the local cuisines are mouth-watering.
But if you are unfamiliar with meals outside your meal routines, you may have some difficulty adjusting to the local meals in Kano, including the famous ‘tuwo shinkafa‘ and groundnut soup.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t find classy restaurants that make delicious intercontinental dishes and other Nigerian cuisines.
Another beautiful place you should see when you visit Kano is the bustling market, where you can find handcrafted jewellery, pottery, and everything else you need.
4. Calabar – a city with so much beauty
Calabar is a city with so much beauty, with lots of cool and classy places to visit. Some Nigerians even refer to the city as ‘paradise on earth.’ Aside from its beauty, it is one of the safest cities in Nigeria and definitely a place every foreign traveller should experience.
The city is home to various attractions such as Obudu Cattle Ranch and Tinapa Resort. Calabar is the tourism capital of Nigeria.
Every year, the city hosts the biggest street party in Africa, popularly called the Calabar Carnival, where different colourful costumes are displayed, accompanied by dancing and other entertaining Calabar cultural activities.
If you want to experience the best of Calabar, visit during the end of the year or Christmas period. And oh!
We can’t talk about Calabar without mentioning its cuisines. In fact, it is argued that Calabar women are the best in Nigeria when it comes to cooking; the taste of their local cuisines is out of this world. You should try them!
3. Port Harcourt – also known as ‘Pitakwa’
The third on our list of Nigerian cities perfect for foreign travellers in Port Harcourt. Port Harcourt, also known as ‘Pitakwa’, is the state capital of Rivers State, located in the South region of Nigeria. You can’t mention vibrant cities in Nigeria without finding Port Harcourt on the top list.
The name Port Harcourt was chosen because the city is excellently rich in oil and has a port.
It is one of Nigeria’s most prominent, busiest, fun-filled, and decadent cities, with plenty of beautiful places and sophisticated hotels and restaurants where you can spend your hard-earned money while feeling relaxed and enjoying life.
For a fun day out in Port Harcourt, you can visit the city’s pleasure park and explore the fun activities they offer, tower climbing and boat riding being one of the most popular, or you can visit the tourist beach in Port Harcourt for a quick dip.
On the other hand, a planned visit to the Port Harcourt Zoo is something you shouldn’t miss. It’s a good place for nature lovers, animal lovers, and photography enthusiasts. Also, make sure to try out the popular Port Harcourt Bole before leaving the city. The taste is magical!
2. Abuja – houses the president and every lawmaker of Nigeria
Whether you love to travel solo or as a group, stopping in Abuja should be top of your bucket list when visiting Nigeria. As the capital of Nigeria, there is no shortage of tourist attractions in this elegant and bustling city.
The city is known for its well-crafted architectural buildings and clean ambience. It houses the president and every lawmaker of Nigeria, which is why the security in Abuja is top-notch. It is a place where foreign visitors can explore without fear of insecurity.
By design, Abuja is a city for holidaying after life’s stress. What is there not to see in Abuja? Hills, public gardens, exotic hotels and restaurants, parks, wide walkways and boulevards, outdoor activities, and more. But you have to live it to appreciate it! So, enjoy your visit.
1. Lagos – home of Nigerian celebrities
One of Africa’s must-see cities, Lagos is top on our list of the five Nigerian cities perfect for foreign travellers! What’s a visit to Nigeria if you don’t stop by the country’s favourite, bustling, and industrious city? Lagos is a city loved by every Nigerian youth.
It is believed that it is the best city in the country to chase your dreams because of the vast opportunities open for everyone, both learned and unlearned. Now, why wouldn’t such a city have the best places and attractions for foreign travellers?
Every good place and good thing you can think of is in Lagos. Restaurants and hotels of all kinds for everyone, film houses, entertainment hubs, parks, beaches, zoos, hills and mountains, sky diving, hiking, you name it.
And oh! There is no kind of Nigerian cuisine that you won’t find in Lagos because it is a city with different tribes and types of Nigerians, which is why it is referred to as a no man’s land. It is a city where 90% of Nigerian celebrities live.
