Stand on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge approach at dusk and the peninsula reads as a construction site and a resort at once: cranes to your right, lagoon to your left, and traffic crawling toward the toll gates. Lekki is a city in Lagos State, Nigeria, southeast of Lagos city proper, and it is still largely under construction — as of 2015 only phase 1 of the project had been completed, with phase 2 nearing completion.
That half-finished quality is part of what you travel through. The peninsula runs between the Atlantic Ocean to the south and Lagos Lagoon to the north, with Lekki Lagoon to the east, and its neighbourhoods range from gated estates to farmland to a free trade zone. This guide suits travellers with time to move along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, and it covers the sights and experiences the sources actually name — the conservation centre, the museums and cinemas, the beaches and beach resorts — plus a one-day plan that strings the best of them together.
Top things to do in Lekki
1. Lekki Conservation Centre
The Lekki Conservation Centre is one of the major Nigerian Conservation Foundation conservation sites, covering 78 hectares in Lekki. It was established in 1990, before the development of Lekki, to conserve the wildlife of Nigeria's southwest coastal environment in the face of sprawling urban development, and it has worked against poaching by surrounding communities as well as serving as a tourist centre for local and international visitors.
Its land is divided into two sections: the LCC Complex and the nature reserve. The complex comprises a multi-purpose rotunda surrounded by four office blocks, containing project staff offices, a gift shop, a canteen and the drivers' office, while the nature reserve consists of a mosaic of vegetation types. Give it the better part of a day rather than an hour, and start at the complex so you can pick up anything you need from the gift shop or canteen before walking the reserve.
2. Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art
The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art sits at Pan-Atlantic University, Main Campus, KM 52 Lekki Expressway. It holds a collection of art works by mostly Nigerian artists, at the Pan Atlantic University.
Because it is on a university campus rather than on the beach strip, it pairs naturally with a day when you are already travelling the expressway. Check ahead before setting out, since the source lists no opening hours.
3. Eleko Beach
Eleko Beach is reached from 56 km on the Lekki-Epe Expressway: turn right just past the Total service station, proceed to the toll gate, and it is on the road with Amen Estate. From there, turn left and follow the road to the Rainbow Church sign, then turn right onto a dirt road — Eleko Beach is at the end of the road.
The final stretch is unpaved, so treat the directions as the practical part of the trip and allow for slow going once you leave the expressway. It is a full-day outing rather than a quick stop.
4. Eko Tourist Resort (Akodo Beach)
Eko Tourist Resort, also known as Akodo Beach, is at 22 km on the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Ibeju, Lekki LGA, Akodo. The resort has chalets, restaurants and a large conference hall on 10 acres, with more than half a mile of clean beach.
It is at least a 40-minute drive from Lagos, which makes it a sensible choice when you want the beach and your base in one place. Bookings can be made by phone on +1 777 0700 or +1 470 2865.
5. Mega-1 Cinema
Mega-1 Cinema is at 100 Mega-1 Events Way, off Eleganza Bus Stop, immediately after Chevron Tollgate, Lekki, Eti-Osa 102105. The contact number is +234 812 648 9436.
It is a straightforward way to fill an evening after a day on the expressway or the water, and the tollgate landmark makes it easy to direct a driver.
6. Novare Cinema
Novare Cinema is another cinema option in Lekki. The source names it without further detail, so treat it as a fallback for an evening when Mega-1 does not suit your timing.
Pair either cinema with dinner nearby rather than crossing the peninsula twice in one evening.
7. Atican Beach
Atican Beach is one of the beaches named along the Lekki coast. The source gives no further detail, so plan around the beach itself rather than expecting facilities.
Bring what you need for the day, and combine it with one of the other coastal stops if you are already on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
8. Okunraye Beach
Okunraye Beach is another of the named beaches on the Lekki coast. As with Atican Beach, the source records the name and nothing more.
If you are working along the coast, treat these smaller beaches as flexible stops between the larger, better-documented ones.
9. Alfa Beach Road
Alfa Beach Road is listed among the beaches of Lekki. The source gives only the name, so there is nothing further to plan around beyond the road and the coast it leads to.
Use it as a waypoint when you are exploring the beach stretch rather than as a destination in its own right.
10. Hermitage Garden Resorts
Hermitage Garden Resorts is on Hermitage Rd, at Tiye village, near Akodo. It is one of the beach resorts named in the area.
Its position near Akodo means it can be combined with Eko Tourist Resort (Akodo Beach) on the same run east.
11. La Campagne Tropicana
La Campagne Tropicana is listed among the beach resorts of Lekki. The source names it without further detail.
As with the other resorts, decide between it and the beaches rather than trying to fit both into a single afternoon.
12. Lekki Free Trade Zone
Lekki Free Trade Zone sits at the eastern part of Lekki and covers about 155 square kilometres. Its first phase has an area of 30 square kilometres, with about 27 square kilometres for urban construction purposes, and according to the Master Plan it will be developed into a new modern city within a city, integrating industries, commerce and business, real estate development, warehousing and logistics, tourism and entertainment.
It is divided into three functional districts: the residential district in the north, the industrial district in the middle, and the commercial trading, warehousing and logistics district in the southeast. This is a working zone rather than a leisure attraction, so treat a visit as a look at a development in progress and expect to move through rather than linger.
13. Lekki Deep Sea Port
The Lekki Deep Sea Port was put into operation at the beginning of 2023, 50 km to the east but still within the Lagos agglomeration. It can handle super post-Panamax container ships, and its container terminal has a 1,200-metre-long quay, three container berths and a storage area with more than 15,000 spaces. It is the first port in Nigeria with ship-to-shore cranes.
On 22 January 2023, a few hours before the official inauguration by President Buhari, the first commercial ship, the container freighter CMA CGM MOZART, docked in the port. This is an industrial site, not a visitor attraction, so plan any look at it around the eastern end of your trip rather than as a standalone outing.
14. Dangote Oil Refinery
The Dangote Oil Refinery went into operation in December 2023 and is expected to process 650,000 barrels of oil per day when fully operational. It is currently being built in the Lekki Free Zone.
Like the port, it belongs to the working side of Lekki rather than to a day of sightseeing. If you are travelling the eastern end of the peninsula, it is part of the landscape you will pass through.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at the Lekki Conservation Centre, beginning at the LCC Complex with its rotunda, gift shop and canteen before walking the nature reserve. This is the one stop worth giving a full morning, so arrive early and do not rush it.
Afternoon. Head out along the Lekki-Epe Expressway toward the coast. Choose one beach rather than several: Eko Tourist Resort (Akodo Beach) at 22 km, with its chalets, restaurants and more than half a mile of clean beach, or Eleko Beach at 56 km if you are prepared for the dirt road at the end of the route. If you would rather stay indoors, the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art at Pan-Atlantic University, KM 52 Lekki Expressway, fits the same stretch of road.
Evening. Return toward Lekki and end at Mega-1 Cinema, off Eleganza Bus Stop immediately after Chevron Tollgate, or at Novare Cinema. Both keep you close to the expressway rather than sending you back across the peninsula.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Lekki Conservation Centre open?
It was established in 1990, before the development of Lekki, for the conservation of wildlife found in the southwest coastal environment of Nigeria.
How do I reach Eleko Beach?
From 56 km on the Lekki-Epe Expressway, turn right just past the Total service station and proceed to the toll gate. It is on the road with Amen Estate; turn left and follow the road to the Rainbow Church sign, then turn right onto a dirt road. Eleko Beach is at the end of the road.
Does Eko Tourist Resort take bookings?
Yes. The resort can be contacted for bookings on +1 777 0700 or +1 470 2865. It has chalets, restaurants and a large conference hall on 10 acres.
Where can I see art in Lekki?
The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art at Pan-Atlantic University, Main Campus, KM 52 Lekki Expressway, holds a collection of art works by mostly Nigerian artists.
Decide which stretch of the Lekki-Epe Expressway you want to build your days around, then start planning your trip from the stops above.