Looking for cities to spend vacation in Nigeria? That’s what you’ll find on this blog.
Nigeria is a highly blessed country with natural attraction sites from region to region.
As the country is blessed, so are it’s challenges.
Meager wages, hectic work hours, queues at banking halls, serious hold-ups in major cities, delay in payment of salaries in some states, and inadequate electricity supply are some of the challenges citizens face.
To get a break, most people consider taking a vacation. Some long, some short depending on their capacity.
While some simply cool off in the city they base, others want out. These are particularly those who have a tough time selecting a choice destination away from home.
Its for this reason I have taken the exhaustive route of compiling cities where you can spend and enjoy your vacation in Nigeria.
I took such factors as natural attraction sites, cultural heritage, serenity, and five-star hotels into consideration.
Where can I spend vacation in Nigeria?
Here are six top cities to spend and enjoy your vacation in Nigeria
1. Calabar
Fondly called the people’s paradise, Calabar is the first capital of Nigeria. The city isn’t called the people’s paradise just for the fun of it, its a reflection of a paradise.
With its strategic location at the extreme of southern part of Nigeria, Calabar experiences extreme temperatures. This make the city unique in climate.
When it gets sunny, there is too much of it and when it rains, there is abundance of water.
The city is blessed with natural attraction sites that makes it a natural glamour for visitors and tourists.
The twin island, Calabar river, and other dynamic landscapes receive tons of visitors each year.
Culture is synonymous with Calabar. And this is the city Mary Slessor stopped the killing of twins many years ago.
The dynamic statue of Mary Slessor stationed at Mary Slessor avenue roundabout in the city centre, the Ekombi dance, annual Calabar carnival, Afang and white soup, are the cultural identity of the Calabar people.
Check out cheap areas in Calabar | find affordable apartment.
Though the city still grapples with small scale crimes, the old town is seen to be largely peaceful.
When it comes to luxury, Calabar is up there. The city is most known as a place where one spends money.
Because all the pleasure and luxury that takes money off your pocket are strategically positioned here.
If its fun and relaxation you seek, Transcorp hotels, Channel View hotel, and Tinapa Lakeside hotels are top luxury destination for visitors.
Calabar has all it takes to give you a memorable vacation experience this holiday.
2. Uyo
Uyo is one of the fastest growing cities in Nigeria. Which makes it an exquisite destination if you are looking to spend a vacation somewhere in Nigeria.
The city’s moderate humidity and beautiful landscape makes it stand out.
Transport network within the city is mainly by use of cabs and tricycles. And Uyo can be accessed by air via Ibom International Airport.
The city has wonderful attractions and is home to the state-of-the-art Godswill Obot Akpabio International Stadium, the most beautiful stadium in Nigeria.
You might also want to check out these 31 facts about Nigeria you never knew to learn more.
Ekpang kwuko, a rich delicacy made of grated yam or cocoyam and vegetables is the cultural identity of Uyo.
Residents of this city rarely see off 24 hours without being treated with a handful of ekpang kwuko. Am sure you are open to trying new things.
The Akwa Ibom State capital is termed a peaceful city as there’s been no massive security challenges emanating from the city.
Talking of luxury and relaxation, the Le Meridien Ibom hotel, and Monty Suites are fully packed resorts that meets all your pleasure needs.
The city also has other wonderful attraction sites and as you drive round you see waterfalls, amazing architectural designs, and wonderful flyovers which have become common sights in the metropolis.
3. Bauchi
Bauchi city is the tourism capital of the Northeast. And its an ancient city with interesting history behind it.
Although with extreme temperatures, there are many wonderful historic sites that make Bauchi a choice destination to visit.
The Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa home which is now turned into a museum is an historical site where thousands of people tour annually on visit to Bauchi.
In that museum you can find the knife Queen Elizabeth gave him, his books, clothes, bed, a small bottle of crude oil he found in his farm and others. The museum showcase the simple life he lived as Prime Minister.
The Yankari game reserve is another wonderful site in Bauchi. Its beautiful and serene environment is second to none in the North. There is also abundance of wildlife in Bauchi which only add to the spice in the warm city.
Also in Bauchi is a natural spring from an heavy rock. Thousands of people troop there to see the wonders of nature each quarter.
How about cuisine?
While Bauchi masa is the best in Nigeria, tuwo (corn flower) is their primary food eaten with soups like dry okra (kubewa), kuka, mia toshie (egusi and tomatoes soup).
The transport mechanism within the city is through bike and keke with no area restrictions. At very affordable rate, you can pay as low as ₦30 for bike.
Though that can be a bit messy considering hygienic condition in Nigerian public transport systems. Check out these 8 easy ways to keep yourself neat.
The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University is also located in the city of Bauchi, adding some dazzling feature to the natural city.
There are good hotels in Bauchi that offers luxury, like Fariah Suites located in the city centre, and Jamil Guest House at Stella Obasanjo road.
When you are looking for a place to spend a vacation in Nigeria, Bauchi comes to mind.
4. Enugu
The city of Enugu is fondly called the fun-city. Not surprisingly, the city is place every Nigerian artist would love to perform.
For good reasons, Enugu is a fun city laden with wonderful site of attraction, night clubs, 5 star hotels, and wonderful architectural designs.
When it comes to entertainment, Enugu take the lead in Eastern Nigeria. Moreover, this city is a top destination for fun seekers.
There is a Shoprite mall located in the city centre to take care of your shopping needs.
Having a taste of their okpa (locally made food) brings one back home, among other wonderful cuisine.
The city is one of the most serene in Nigeria with neat roads, and organized internal transport mechanism.
The Akanu Ibiam International Airport provides access to the city by air.
With Enugu, taking a vacation in Nigeria is worth the while after all.
5. Jos
Jos is best known as the London of Nigeria. This is due, largely, to the city’s amazing climate condition.
Temperature here vary between 20°C – 26°C all through the year. Though fell one time to as low as 17°C. That’s much cold, isn’t it?
One amazing thing is that it rains ice in Jos a couple of times each year.
There are waterfalls in Jos that provide wonderful site of attraction for residents and visitors, like the kerang stream where Swan water is gotten from.
Does Jos have great cuisine? Yes!
Although inhabitants of the city have diverse ethnicity, Masa is a common delicacy.
Food is affordable and cheaper in Jos compared to other Nigerian cities. There is excess of food and vegetables here.
There are also high-class hotels that provide luxury in the city including Silk Suites at Rayfield road, Valada Hotels and Resort.
The city is also a vibrant place with great night life, particularly with the presence of the University of Jos, night clubs, and other wonderful resorts.
The Jos airport provides a means to access the city by air.
With Jos, vacation in Nigeria only got better.
6. Portharcourt
The garden city of Portharcourt is a dazzling town filled with glamour blended with a combination of commercial activities.
This city is a top destination, after Lagos, for Nigerians seeking greener pasture due to high economic activities here.
If its fun and pleasure you seek, Pleasure Park, Portharcourt Cinema, Filmhouse, Silverbird, Spar Portharcourt Mall, Swiss International Mabizel hotel, Presidential hotel and others will give you good value for money.
There is rich cuisine in Portharcourt due to the diverse nature of the city. However a serving of bole (roasted ripe/unripe plantain) and roasted fish in oil sauce is synonymous with this city.
Interestingly, its yummy.
The Portharcourt International Airport serve the city by air domestically and internationally.
When you consider taking a vacation in Nigeria, or touring wonderful places in the country, these cities provide all the fun you seek.
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Maxwell is a Dietitian with passion for showing people hope. With nearly a decade experience helping people make key decisions on education and career, you can find him almost everywhere on this site. From answering admission and scholarship questions to creating tutorials and helping others live their best lives though nutrition. Connect with me on Twitter.