Abuja, a purpose-built capital city, is the second of the ten most populous cities in Nigeria after Lagos, with a population of about 6 million people as estimated in 2016. Abuja was the name of Suleja, a town close to Abuja and the indigenous people of Abuja are the Gwari people and Gwari language was the major language.
Abuja was chosen as the federal capital territory because it is in the center of the country as planned since the independence of Nigeria to have its federal capital territory in an area neutral of all major ethnic parties. The construction of Abuja started in the early 1970’s but the government could not move due to political and economic instability, however, the decision to finally move there was made by General Murtala Muhammed in 1976.
Situated in one of West Africa’s beautiful countries, blessed by nature’s most exceptional weather and green landscapes is Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. Built in the ‘80s and originally occupied by the Bassa, Gangana, Gbagyi, Koro, and Gade peoples, Abuja, in recent times, has become home to different cultures where every tribe in Nigeria has come together to enjoy its strategic positioning while developing the City. Due to its perfectly laid out landscape, it is one of the easiest cities to navigate in Nigeria.
What are you in Nigeria for? A vacation or for business? Below list highlights things you can do or places you can visit during your stay in Abuja.
The Millennium Park
The Millennium park Abuja which is located somewhere around the presidential palace, very close to the administrative building is regarded as the best picnic spot in the capital city of Abuja. Inaugurated in 2003 by Queen Elizabeth II of England, this pack is said to be the largest in the city and has a river that is divided into two parts running across the center. To get the best experience of this park, pack your drinks, food, picnic mats, and camera, speakers and every other thing you would need to be comfortable and have fun. You don’t need to break the bank to have a picnic at the millennium park as entrance is free for all visitors.
Visit Eagles Square
A journey to the Nations capital territory would be incomplete if you do not visit the Eagles Square where the biggest events in the country take place. This is where the most prominent government events and programmes take place, from political rallies to religious crusades, ceremonies and other grand activities and gatherings. It was constructed in 1999 and has a large car park that can take about 500 vehicles, making it one of the biggest, if not the biggest even center in Abuja.
Sueno Lounge
A union of gym, lounge, spa and restaurant, Sueno Lounge is a wellness centre to indulge and pamper your body. It is indeed a great is a great relaxation spot in Abuja. The spa offers a variety of treatments, from shiatsu massage, hot stone massages, facials to kids treatments that combines well with the equipped gym. While the restaurant features local and continental dishes. You can also choose the à la carte menu of signature dishes from Europe and the local region all in the heart of Abuja
Magic Land Amusment Park, Abuja
Formerly called Wonderland Amusement Park, Magic Land Amusement Park Abuja is a great place to be. It is situated on a huge piece of land and is well equipped with modern facilities. It is indeed a haven for kids and young adults. It is easily accessible as it is located near the National Stadium in Abuja.
Visit National Monuments
Once you are in Abuja, you just have this nagging feeling that the Abuja National Mosque is where to start. This mosque, which was designed by AIM consultants and built by Lodigiani Nigeria came into existence in the year 1984. The National Mosque is open for exploration except during prayer times. Another breathtaking monument in Abuja to check out is the National Christian Centre. Sitting tall in all its grandeur and decked out in its neo-gothic design, the National Christian Center opens its arms to all tourists who are drawn to unique that give a thrill of a lifetime. Other National Monuments you can visit include the magnificent edifice of the Ministry of Defence (it will please you to know that this monument was built in ship form, National Library, ECOWAS Secretariat, and a lot more others.
Boat ride at Jabi Lake
Are you a lover of boat rides or you enjoy beaches and other fun activities in water, then a trip to Jabi Lake is what you deserve. In a city where there are no rivers or beaches, the closest thing to a beach experience in the city of Abuja is the Jabi lake where you can take boat rides, hang out with your family and friends or have a lone time in the natural habitat. This lake gives you the closest to a beach experience in Abuja. You can sit out in the shade and drown yourself in the beautifully crafted sentences of your favorite author while sipping cold soda and listening to the crashing of water against the shore. Alternatively, you can run about the wet sand playing tag with your family. You can also decide to be the heart of the party or join in on one of the frequent, fun dancing competitions, go horse riding or partake in the numerous recreational activities at the lake. Whatever be your wish for visiting a beach, Jabi Lake can fulfill all those wishes too.
There are activities like a dancing competition, horse rides, beach volleyball, table tennis, and water sports at the lakeside which you can be a part of. Jabi lake attracts tourists, families, couples and fun lovers who are advised not to go near the water if they can not swim.
National Children’s Park And Zoo
If you are visiting Abuja with your children, you should check out the National children’s park and zoo located at Asokoro district, behind the presidential Villa. The Zoo has an impressive collection of domestic animals, reptiles and wild animals such as Zebras, ostriches, camels, crocodiles, elephants and so on. This is a very educative and entertaining place to take your children as they not only get to see a wide range of animals but also learn a thing or two about them. The playground has a lot of exciting children play equipments making it the most interesting place to take your children for fun hangouts in Abuja.
Visit to Aso Rock
Towering at a height of 1,300 ft is the famous Aso rock which is used as an unofficial name for the Nigerian state house and presidential villa. It is the most noticeable feature of the federal capital territory as it can be seen from many angles in the city. It is a good tourist site as it encompasses the 400 meter monolith Aso rock and apart from being the tallest and largest rock in the city, it is a major landmark in the city. It is situated within the outskirts of the city, not too far from the metropolis.
Hilltop Life Camp
The Hilltop Life Camp is a great place to go for a romantic getaway in Abuja. It is also the ideal place to relax and enjoy sporting activities. Located in the heart of Abuja, this point of attraction attracts tourists in their numbers.
Sarius Palmetum and Botanical Garden
Sarius Palmetum and Botanical Garden is one of the great places to visit in Abuja. It has a nursery where people purchase different types of plants especially palms. This point of interest in Abuja is a great place to sit and relax under the hot sun while sipping wine and munching on finger foods in the company of your loved ones.
Zuma Rock
Popularly referred to as the “Gateway to Abuja from Suleja”, Zuma Rock is top on the list of places to visit in Abuja. Located in Niger State, within the outskirt of Abuja, Zuma Rock is a large monolith, an igneous intrusion comprising of gabbro and granodiorite. It rises stunningly immediately north of Nigeria’s capital Abuja, along the expressway connecting Kaduna to Abuja.
Eat at Sinoni Restaurant
The best of Chinese meals are prepared and served at Sinoni restaurant by professional Chinese chefs from mainland China. They offer services like private dining, outdoor catering services, extensive wine selection and you can pay with your debit card, credit card or cash. This restaurant which is located at area 11, Garki, offers great services and is open to diners, tourists and wine lovers among others.
Visit The Arts And Crafts Village
The arts and crafts village is like a mini museum because it has on display several types of artifacts and crafts work ranging from bead works to paintings and sculptures. It can also be likened to a market as it is said to be the best place to get souvenirs in the federal capital territory, Abuja. The village represents the diversity in the cultural heritage of Nigeria, giving tourists an insight into the beauty that our artifacts and craft works radiate. This center is one of the best hang out spots and is located Behind silverbird galleria in the central business district. The center attracts tourists, artists, curators, historians arts and crafts collectors among others and you might want to bring your friends along plus some cash to purchase an item or two.
Chad Basin National Park
The Chad Basin National Park is one of the points of interest in Abuja. Located not too far from Abuja in the Sudano-Sahelian ecological zone of the North-Eastern part of Nigeria, the park is generally referred to as the conventional basin of the famous Lake Chad. This Abuja point of interest is indeed a haven of adventure where visitors are treated to a number of fun activities. The park is notable for hosting Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1990.
Trip to Gurara Falls
This waterfall which is one the the renowned tourists attractions in Nigeria is located in Niger state, not far from Abuja as they share a boundary. The name is said to be derived from a combination of the names of two gods that the Gwari people used to worship, Gura and Rara. Water is life, and it’s breathtaking if it’s a waterfall. Waterfalls give you those picture-perfect moments that depict fun and happiness. The feeling of water in your hair and running down your face, neck, and gluing your clothes to your body is an epic feeling you should never pass on. Gurara Falls, which is situated in Suleja, is the perfect spot to let your guard down and let the freshwater wash away the stressful days etched into your skin. It is one of the most scenic spots close to Abuja. If you need a place that allows you to bring along a picnic basket and blankets for relaxation while the chill is in the air, then Gurara falls is your best bet. It doesn’t matter if you are alone or you’ve got company, Gurara Falls puts you right with nature and leaves you craving to build a tent by the falls. You can swim in the little ponds under the falls, or you can get busy taking galleria worthy pictures of the rock formations alongside the beautiful flowers, thick bushes, and trees which weave their ways into your pictures to give you something to smile about. So it doesn’t really matter if you are hydrophobic, especially if you can play with your camera. While on this trip, you can make a stop at the famous Zuma Rock and have fun exploring the area.
The water fall is a destination for fun lovers and tourists as the view at Gurara waterfalls is stunning and you can see a rock formation, flowers and trees. The environment is a good picnic spot and you also get to see animals feeding in their natural habitat.
Durban Street Neighborhood Park
A fun hangout spot in Abuja, the Durban Street Neighborhood Park is a public park that attracts all and sundry in the Federal Capital Territory. It is located along Ahmadu Bello Way in the Central Area district. If you happen to be in Abuja and don’t know where to go to relax, you might want to check out Durban Street Neighborhood Park.
Golfing at IBB Golf Course
Are you a golf lover? Do you know you can still enjoy your favorite sports while on a business trip or vacation in Abuja? Oh well, now you know that. IBB Golf Course, with its 18 beautiful holes and a spectacular ambiance that brings out the pro golfer in you, is your go-to for an amazing golf experience while in Abuja. Conclusively, there’s no preferable way to enjoy your vacation and relax away from your home than a vacation trip to the beautiful Nigerian capital city of Abuja. This experience is not for golfers alone, tourists go there to relax, meditate, birdwatch and view the ambience and natural landscape of the environment, you can also watch both professional and leisure golfers play on the property. The IBB golf course is located at Aso drive, beside the Nigerian National Assembly and the presidential villa with about 25 Bridges joining the lands as they have so many streams, ponds and lakes in the landscape. The idea to build a golf course in Abuja was birthed in the early 1980’s when Abuja was made the capital territory, officers had to travel all the way to Lagos to play golf, hence the need for a golf course in Abuja and it was finally Established in 1992. So, the next time you’re thinking of a weekend or holiday vacation, think of visiting ABJ.
The Mediterranean Hotel
Looking for unlimited fun in the city of Abuja, then you should not forget to stop by this hotel that has all the facilities to offer you exactly what you are looking for. They have restaurants that serve some of the best meals you can get in the city and there is a club for visitors who would like to experience the fun of clubbing. Their bar has a nice collection of drinks, ranging from champagne to wine, cocktails and more. There is an outdoor BBQ every weekend in the premises of the hotel.
Maitama Amusment Park
When it comes to keeping the kids entertained, Maitama Amusement Park is good at that. With a selection of restaurants, merry go rounds, swings, bumper boats, and even slides, your kids will no doubt love Maitama Amusement Park. Depending on the age of the kids, there is a lot of fun things to do in this amusement park in Abuja.
Julius Berger Water Front park
The Julius Berger Water Front Park is a recreational spot in Abuja. In fact the Julius Berger Water Front Park is rated in the second position among the recreational parks in Abuja, Nigeria. Present at this hangout spot in Abuja are coastal trains, a merry-go-round, roller coaster, a drop tower, carousel, games arcade, bumper cars and many spinning rides. You will no doubt have a swell time at this park. Also, Julius Berger Water Front Park is one of the best places in Abuja to take your kids to.
Abuja National Mosque
Also known as the Nigerian National Mosque, the Abuja National Mosque is often numbered among the places to visit in Abuja. The mosque is located on Independence Avenue, across from the National Christian Centre. The mosque includes the office for the Islamic Center, a conference centre capable of serving 500 persons, and the residential facilities for the Imam and muezzin.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a nice outdoor spot located in the outskirt of Abuja. It is the ideal place for food lovers. Here you can treat yourself to affordable food and drinks, fish, palm wine, barbecued beef, chicken, spicy traditional and bush meat delicacies and a host of local cuisines. If you happen to be in Abuja and do not where to go on a nice cool evening, then go to Zimbabwe!
I know that you already have a picture of how fun spending time in Abuja would be, but trust me that words are not enough to describe the luxury, ambiance, fun and beauty that awaits you in Abuja. Other things you can enjoy doing in Abuja is going shopping, restaurants in Abuja, visiting Silverbird Cinemas Abuja and hanging out at the clubs.
