We won’t lie, going to restaurants is the OG of outings, especially in Lagos. But at one point or another, your friends might get tired of going out and doing the exact same things every time. Plus, the really aesthetic restaurants aren’t cheap.

So, if you’re tired of burning money every time and you want to switch things up a little, picnics are your next best bet. They’re intimate, budget-friendly, and a fun way to gather your friends, family, and loved ones together without having to overdress or overspend.

Lagos has some of the cutest locations for setting up picnics, and in this article, we’ve helped you put them all together. All you need to do is go through the options, choose one that fits your vibe, and start planning your picnic. You’re welcome.

Ndubisi Kanu Park—Oregun, Lagos

The best thing about this park is the fact that you don’t have to drive all the way to the island to access it. It’s very calm and breezy, and their prices are pretty reasonable. While you’d find different families, couples, and even church groups here (since it’s a public space), everyone avoids disturbing clothes, so you get to make the best out of your stay.

The park opens around 8 AM and closes by 6 PM, which gives you more than enough time for both brunch-style picnics in the morning and afternoon hangouts. But the weekends can get very busy here, so if you’re keen on intimate picnics with little disturbance, it’s best to go on a weekday.

Lufasi Nature Park—Sangotedo, Lagos

Due to the number of play areas in this park, it’s one of the best locations for a family picnic, especially if it includes children. The place has a very earthy vibe and more trees on every corner, meaning that you won’t have to battle with the sun while trying to enjoy your picnic.

On average, Lufasi Nature Park isn’t as populated as other parks in Lagos, but it has plenty of activities to try, so you don’t have to worry about getting bored. The park closes by 6 PM and opens throughout the week, and it can be a good spot for taking pictures, too.

Lekki conservation centre – Lekki

Most people go to Lekki Conservation Centre to experience the net bridge, but aside from that, it’s a pretty amazing place to host a picnic. In fact, you can combine your picnic with a little adventure. You might even get to see a monkey or two in the course of your picnic.

LCC opens a little earlier than most other parks at 8 AM, but it also closes pretty early by 5 PM, so it’s best to go as early as possible. Also, if you want a calmer picnic, you should consider going in the morning because it can get crowded later in the afternoon.

Johnson Jakande Tinubu (JJT)—Oregun, Lagos

JJT is one of the most popular parks in Lagos, also located on the mainland, like Ndubuisi Kanu Park. Because it’s so popular, though, the park can be very crowded, both on weekdays and weekends.

People come to this park to have birthday picnics, class hangouts, and even photo shoots. The park mostly has open lawns and pretty gardens, but the shady regions are not many, so you’d have to get there very early if you don’t want to have your picnic directly under the sun.

Freedom Park – Marina, Lagos

This is arguably one of the prettiest parks in Lagos. Freedom Park is the perfect place to host a calm picnic, especially if you want to see art while at it. This park was once a colonial prison, but it’s one of the most culturally significant locations in Lagos.

Freedom Park closes quite late, around 10 PM, so you can have a romantic evening picnic date with your babe or a hangout with friends. Many events fix this park as their location, so it can get busy on weekends.

The Garden—Ikoyi, Lagos

If you want the vibe of an aesthetic restaurant on the island, the Garden might be the thing for you. It’s one of those tucked-away spots that influencers would call a hidden gem. It’s calm, serene, and surrounded by plants, making it a perfect spot for semi-indoor picnics.

It’s never overly crowded, but you’d still see some couples, other friend groups, or families having picnics or dinners together.

Shodex Garden – Ilupeju, Lagos

This is another picnic location for a family get-together or any hangout that will have children attending. The place is very colorful with multiple play areas and games. It also has sculptures, flower beds, and a mini zoo.

Shodex is great for afternoon picnics, birthday celebrations, and morning hangouts since it opens around 8 AM and closes at 6 PM. It’s also not overly crowded during the week, so you don’t have to worry about other people disturbing your picnic.

Jerome Garden, Opebi, Lagos

Jerome’s Gardens and Suites is a top-rated hotel and garden located at 29 Oroleye Crescent, off Abel Oreniyi, Salvation Road, Opebi, Lagos, Nigeria. Jerome’s Garden and Suites is a 15-minute drive from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a 5-minute drive to Shoprite.

Jerome’s Gardens and Suites has an indoor swimming pool and an on-site bar that offers a myriad of meal options. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are ordered from the on-site bar. The hotel features a beautifully landscaped garden suitable for relaxation and for events like business lunch meetings, weddings, birthday parties, pre-wedding shoots, and music shoots.

Bics Garden and Boat Club, Lekki, Lagos

If your idea of a picnic comes with a little water view and a touch of class, BICS Garden and Boat Club is where you want to be. It comes with a great view of the lagoon and an open green space perfect for picnics that feel a little bougie but still chill. Plus, you can bring your own picnic basket or grab food and drinks from nearby Lekki spots before heading in, though this might be more expensive.

The garden opens around 9 AM and stays active till about 7 PM, giving you enough daylight for your picnic setup and maybe even a boat ride. On weekdays, it’s quiet with fewer people around, but on weekends, different families, couples, and groups of friends have picnics and even celebrate small events here.

Muri Okunola Park, Eti-Osa, Lagos

If you’ve stayed in Lagos for up to three months, chances are, you’ve heard about this part at least once. It’s one of the popular spots for festivals, events, and trade fairs, but on days when it’s not busy, it’s perfect for picnics.

Muri Okunola Park comes with both food and drink vendors, so you can pack light for your picnic. But it can get hot and sunny very fast, so it’s best to either go in the mornings or towards evening and pack some sunscreen.