Time Out, renowned for its travel guides and magazines, has positioned Lagos as the 19th best city to visit worldwide.
The ranking, based on a survey of over 20,000 global city dwellers and insights from editors, places Lagos alongside only two other African cities on the list: Cape Town (2nd) and Accra (44th).
The evaluation criteria encompassed various aspects such as food quality and affordability, cultural richness, nightlife, overall ambiance, community spirit, access to green spaces, historical significance, and more.
Time Out encourages international travelers to explore Lagos, emphasizing its diversity as Africa’s most populous city.
The report highlights the city’s expanding landscape, including the live-work-play concept of Eko Atlantic City and the burgeoning development in Epe, north of Lekki Lagoon.
Lagos earned praise for its high standard of living, with 96% of locals expressing happiness, 98% describing the city as beautiful, and a 92% friendliness rating.
Key attractions mentioned in the report include Victoria Island’s upscale resorts and nightlife, Kuti’s Bistro in Ikeja owned by the legendary afrobeat family, and the serene Oniru Beach for relaxation.
Contrary to a 2023 report by the Economist Intelligence Unit ranking Lagos as the fourth worst city to live in globally, Time Out’s assessment positions Lagos above cities like Algiers, Tripoli, and Damascus.
The global ranking of cities by Time Out includes notable destinations such as New York City, Cape Town, Berlin, London, Madrid, and Tokyo.
Despite challenges, Lagos holds its own in the global tourism scene, offering a unique and vibrant experience to visitors.