Fun Things To Do In Abuja

Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. It is the best-planned city in the country and serves as her administrative capital. Offering the best of both traditional culture and modernity, Abuja is the perfect destination for a holiday or vacation. It is packed with stunning sights and attractions and boasts of a good network of roads and affordable transportation.

Here are some fun things to do when visiting the city:

Visit National monuments

There’s no better place to start exploring Abuja than the breath-taking National Mosque and National Christian center with awesome architecture. Also visit the national library, Ministry of Defence and ECOWAS secretariat.

Go Rock climbing

Feeling the need to go rock climbing? Head over to the Aso Rock, located behind the presidential villa. Alternatively, explore the mythical Zuma Rock, a 725-metre monolith considered by the Koro the home for the spirits of their dead.

Escape to the mainland

Marvelous sightseeing opportunities and vibrant city life aren’t all that Abuja has to offer. If you are looking for something less metropolitan, then Jabi Park is the ideal spot. Have unlimited fun with horse-riding, picnicking or even bird watching. You can also check out the Millenium Park, designed by Manfredi Nicoletti. It is one of the biggest and most beautifully laid out in the city. Other parks you could go to relax include the Julius Berger Waterfront Park, Eden Parks and Garden and Area 1 Recreational Garden.

Go Shopping at an Open Market

The Utako Market is lively and crowded. You can get a supply of fresh fruits and vegetables at a cheap cost from the market. Garki Model Market, on the other hand, is the least crowded because it is well planned and more tightly controlled. There is also the Wuse Market, considered the most popular in the city. A little larger than Wuse Market is the Garki International Market, where you can buy clothes and confectioneries. There’s no shortage of freshwater food and yummy vegetables at Kado Fish Market.

Watch a movie or two

Abuja has several cinemas around the city that offers blockbusters and unique Nigerian movies. Some of them include the Silverbird Cinema located at Tafawa Balewa Way in the Central Business District, the French Cultural Centre, Libre Ville Street, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse, and Cyreenee International, Omega Center, and Aminu Kano Crescent, also at Wuse.

Eat Street Food

Your adventure in Abuja is not complete without experiencing the local cuisine. Abuja being the capital of Nigeria is a potpourri of tastes and olfactory delights. Eating suya, in its many forms (chicken, beef, ram, goat, turkey) and textures (kilishi/grilled) is a must.  You can also indulge in masa, milk curd/cheese (wara), akara, and different dishes from across Nigeria that are sold in different cafeterias around the city.

Buy or Window Shop Art

Nigeria is a vast country with multitudes of arts that can be seen and bought. Aside from buying art at markets, you can buy art from the several art galleries in Abuja showcasing well-curated sculptures, installations and paintings.

Check out the Nike Art Gallery, Thought Pyramid Art Centre, and Omega Gallery. Bwari Pottery Village is dedicated to the art of pottery making. You can visit and watch the potters at work, explore the different sections, and buy pitchers, casserole dishes, or teapots. The Abuja Art and Craft Village are also a must-see for you.

Crawl the night

Abuja’s nightlife is booming with a myriad of lounges, pepper soup joints, and nightclubs, therefore, catching your groove in the city is not a problem. There are various lounges, night clubs and bars providing good views and ambiances, cocktails, music and other forms of entertainment.

Have you visited Abuja? Tell us about the fun things you did in the city.