Things To Do
in Somolu
Somolu (also written Shomolu) is a densely populated, lively neighborhood on the Lagos Mainland known for its small-scale printing, textile and artisan workshops, busy markets, and residential streets. It is a multicultural urban area with a strong sense of neighborhood life, street commerce and affordable eateries, reflecting everyday Lagos energy. While not a major tourist district, Somolu gives a direct view into local commerce, community networks and grassroots creativity.
Expect bustling streets, short walking routes between shops and markets, and easy access to wider Lagos via shared taxis and minibuses.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your day with a visit to the local market, where vibrant colors and fresh produce abound. Engage with the friendly vendors, sampling traditional snacks and immersing yourself in the daily rhythms of local life. Capture the essence of Somolu by taking photographs of the bustling atmosphere and unique products on display.
After the market, explore the nearby cultural centers that showcase the rich heritage of the Yoruba people. Participate in a workshop where you can learn traditional crafts such as bead-making or fabric dyeing. This hands-on experience will deepen your understanding of the local culture and its artistic expressions.
As the sun sets, delight in a meal at a local eatery, savoring dishes like jollof rice and pounded yam. Engage with locals over dinner, listening to their stories and gaining insights into the community. Conclude your evening with a stroll through the neighborhood, taking in the sounds and sights of Somolu at night.
Begin your day at a local art gallery, where you can admire contemporary Nigerian artworks that reflect the region's diverse culture. Take time to speak with the artists, who often share the inspiration behind their pieces. This intimate setting allows for a deeper appreciation of the local art scene.
Head to a music studio in Somolu to learn about the traditional and modern musical styles that define Nigerian music. Participate in a drumming workshop, where you can try your hand at playing traditional instruments while guided by skilled musicians. This interactive experience will leave you with a sense of connection to Nigeria's rich musical heritage.
In the evening, attend a live music performance at a local venue featuring both emerging and established artists. Enjoy the lively atmosphere as you dance along to the infectious rhythms that fill the air. Wrap up your night by mingling with fellow music lovers and discussing your favorite performances.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $2-5 |
| 🚌Public transport (short trip) | $0.20-0.70 |
| 🚕Short taxi/ride-hail trip | $2-6 |
| 🏨Budget hotel / guesthouse (per night) | $15-40 |
| 📶Mobile data / SIM top-up (monthly modest plan) | $5-15 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Authentic, everyday Lagos experience with lively markets and local food.
- Affordable dining and shopping with easy access to artisan workshops.
- Good base to explore other Lagos attractions and day-trip destinations.
- Warm, multicultural community life and strong local entrepreneurship.
- Busy, crowded streets and occasional sanitation challenges.
- Not a polished tourist district — infrastructure can be inconsistent.
- Traffic can make short distances take long; limited pedestrian infrastructure in places.
- Basic healthcare and emergency services require knowing where to go; major hospitals are a drive away.
- "Báwo ni?" - How are you? (Yoruba)
- "Ẹ n lẹ / Ẹ kú ọjọ́" - Hello / Good day (respectful Yoruba greeting)
- "Ẹ ṣé" - Thank you (Yoruba)
- "How far?" - What's up? / informal greeting (Nigerian Pidgin)
- "Wetin be dis?" - What is this? (Nigerian Pidgin)
- "Biko" - Please (from Igbo, widely understood)
Places to Visit in Somolu
Visit one of these nice places.
Colorful market scenes, fabric stalls and printing/tailoring workshops offer candid street photography opportunities showcasing everyday commerce and craft.
Neighborhood streets and walls often display murals, signage and vibrant street life — great for portraiture and urban detail shots (ask permission before photographing people).
If you take a short trip out of Somolu, the canopy walkway, mangrove boardwalks and wildlife in Lekki Conservation Centre provide scenic nature photography.
Historic rock formation with panoramic views from the top — excellent for landscape shots if you travel to Abeokuta for a day trip.
Food in Somolu
Somolu Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A popular one-pot dish of rice cooked in tomato-pepper sauce, often served with fried plantain and protein (chicken, beef or fish). Available at most eateries and party cooks in the area.
Must-Try!
Starchy pounded yam served with a thick melon-seed (egusi) soup with leafy greens and meat or fish. Look for family-run restaurants and traditional food stalls.
Spicy grilled skewered meat seasoned with peanut-chili rub; commonly sold by evening street vendors and perfect as a late-night snack.
Fried bean cakes (akara) often eaten with soft, slightly sweet Agege bread — a classic Lagos breakfast combo from bakeries and morning street sellers.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Small clustered stalls near Somolu that sell freshly prepared food — try akara in the morning, peppered fish or suya in the evening, and jollof or efo riro at lunchtime. Choose stalls with visible queues and fresh preparation.
Evening suya vendors that roast and slice meat next to open streets; good for authentic flavor and people-watching, best when you see many local customers.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Always greet people when entering a shop or meeting neighbors — a polite 'Good morning/afternoon' or local greeting goes a long way. Respectful greetings to elders are especially important.
Ask permission before photographing people, especially in markets and religious settings; many will be friendly but expect to be asked and sometimes offered a small fee.
Dress conservatively in public and when visiting religious sites; smart casual is appropriate for most restaurants and daytime activities.
Polite, indirect phrasing is appreciated; avoid loud confrontations in public and try to resolve disputes calmly or through community channels.
Safety
Tipping in Somolu
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated but not always expected; small tips (5–10% or a few hundred naira) for good service at restaurants or helpful guides are common. For informal services like drivers or porters, rounding up or giving a small tip is polite.
Cash (Nigerian naira) is the most widely accepted. Many restaurants and shops accept POS/card payments in larger establishments; mobile payments and USSD/bank transfers (e.g., Opay, Paga, bank apps) are increasingly common. Carry small denominations for market purchases.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Expect heavy afternoon or evening downpours and potential flooding on low-lying streets; carry an umbrella, quick-drying shoes and plan extra travel time because traffic slows during heavy rain.
Cooler mornings and dusty winds from the Sahara called Harmattan can reduce visibility and make the air dry; bring a light jacket for early mornings and moisturizers for skin.
Temperatures rise and humidity increases before the rains start; stay hydrated, avoid strong midday sun when possible, and prefer air-conditioned rides or shaded walking routes.
Somolu at Night
Hiking in Somolu
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
About a 45–90 minute drive from Somolu (traffic dependent). Offers easy nature trails, a long canopy walkway, mangrove scenery and birdwatching — a low-effort outdoor excursion.
A cultural and light-hiking destination roughly 1.5–2 hours by car from Lagos depending on traffic; climb the rock for panoramic views and historical interest.
Various forest reserves and informal trails within Ogun State can be reached by car as day trips for rougher hiking and rural scenery; arrange with a guide or trusted operator for safety and local navigation.
Airports
How to reach Somolu by plane.
The primary international and domestic airport serving Lagos, located west of central Lagos. Accessible by car or taxi; allow extra time for traffic when traveling to/from Somolu.
Domestic terminals at the Lagos airport handle many internal routes — useful for onward travel within Nigeria. Ground transport remains the main way to reach Somolu from the airport.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Yoruba people form a significant portion of the population, shaping local language, culture and traditions.
Somolu hosts residents from many Nigerian states and backgrounds — traders, artisans, civil servants and students — reflecting Lagos’s overall diversity.
A large number of residents work in printing, textiles, tailoring, food vending and small retail — these trades define much of the neighborhood’s economy.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport across Lagos and Somolu — local clubs, youth teams and street football are common; community matches are a central social activity.
Running, informal fitness groups and organized youth sports are common; local schools and community centers host competitions and events.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Somolu.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options exist (bean-based dishes, fried plantain, stewed vegetables and tomato-based rice), but many soups are prepared with stock or fish; ask vendors about ingredients and order vegetable-based soups or plain rice and beans.
Harder but possible: choose plain rice, fried plantain, akara (confirm no animal fats), and vegetable stews prepared without fish or meat stock. Communicate restrictions clearly — point to ingredients when language is a barrier.
Use bottled water, avoid raw salads from uncertain sources, and pick busy stalls to reduce risk of foodborne illness. Carry rehydration salts if sensitive to changes in water or spice levels.