Places to Escape to When Lagos Is Overwhelming (and You Have 3k in Your Account)

Soft Life Series Vol.2

Sometimes, Lagos feels like it’s trying to chew you and your dreams whole. The traffic is apocalyptic, your neighbor is shouting at 6am, someone is honking outside your window for the third time today. And of course, the reality of checking your account balance and seeing N3,049.76 staring back at you like a personal insult.   

But soft life isn’t always about the bank account. It’s about the little pleasures. The intentional pauses. The quiet rebellion against chaos. 

So if Lagos is stressing you and you’ve got 3k (or less), here are a few places and ways to escape peacefully, stylishly, and softly:

1. Lose Yourself in a Bookstore Vibe  

You don’t need to buy a thing. Just walk into Terra Kulture and breathe in the sweet scent of paper and creativity. Browse through pages, flip through covers, and imagine you’re curating your personal home library.
Pro tip: bring an iced drink from home and romanticize your life as you lean into your main character energy while staying hydrated.

Location: 1376 Tiamiyu Savage St, Victoria Island, Lagos
Cost: Free entry

A young woman enjoying a quiet afternoon with a book. Captured in a cozy corner of the library — because getting lost in a good story is free therapy. Photo by Lorado via iStock

2. Fake a Parisian Afternoon at Café One

Cafe One  in Lekki, Ikeja, Ogudu, Ikoyi (yes they are all over Lagos) gives you just enough “chill” to forget where you are. Order a zobo spritzer or their cheapest cup of coffee (from 2000), grab a window seat, and journal like you’re manifesting your next era. It’s calm, quiet, and perfect for people-watching.

Location: Browse through their instagram to check out their various locations! You’re bound to find one near you
Cost: 2000 naira onwards

A cup of coffee, a blank page, and a moment of calm. A peaceful journaling moment — perfect for reflecting, manifesting, or simply breathing. Photo by Engin Akyurt via Pixabay

3. Pretend You’re on Vacation—at a Mall

There’s no shame in walking through Palms Mall or Ikeja City Mall like you’re on a solo self care date. Spray some perfume testers, try on sunglasses, flip through magazines at the bookshop. You don’t even have to spend anything, just walk with confidence.
Bring your earbuds, play your favourite tunes, and let capitalism soothe you for once.

Location: 1 Bisway St, Maroko, Lekki, Lagos

Cost: Entry is free but shop at your discretion!

A stylish shopper explores the mall with confidence. Strolling through The Palms or ICM like it’s a self-care ritual. Window shopping counts too. Photo by Ijubaphoto via iStock

4. Tap Into Your Inner Art Collector

Lagos is noisy, but Nike Art Gallery is a slice of heaven. It’s free to enter, full of color, and the air just feels… intentional. You can spend hours staring at paintings, sculptures, and traditional textiles. No pressure to buy, just observe and breathe.

Location: 2 Elegushi Rd, Lekki Phase I
Cost: Free entry

Amaechi Okobi admiring a wall of vibrant art at Nike Art Gallery. Proof that a few hours surrounded by creativity can feel like a soft reset. Photo via @nikeartgallery on Instagram

5. Reclaim Nature, Even If It’s Just a View

Since many Lagos beaches are now inaccessible or priced like private islands, opt for spaces that offer a view without the fee.
Try the Lighthouse Bar and Grill in Lekki. They’ve got great drinks, finger foods, cute terrace seating, and a waterfront vibe with a lovely view. N1,500 will get you a soft drink, a seat, and some peace of mind.

Location: 12E Admiralty way, Lekki Phase 1
Cost: 1,500 onwards, depending on your order

Lagoon views from Lighthouse Bar & Grill in Lekki Phase 1. No entry fee, no noise — just a drink and a seat by the water. Photo via @thelighthouse_lekki on Instagram

6. Retail Therapy (On a Budget), Go Thrifting!

If you’re into fashion and adventure, ₦3k can go a long way at The Yabs or House of Tej (commonly known as Yaba’s and Tejuosho market thrift stalls). With patience, you can score a vintage tee, a cute tote bag, or even a statement belt. Go early. Wear something breezy. And haggle like you’ve been trained in the art of price war.

Location: Tejuosho/Yaba Market Area
Cost: from 1,000 naira, depending on your haul

A man browsing through thrift racks at a local market. Digging through style treasures in Yaba or Tejuosho — where ₦3k still goes a long way. Photo by Nathalia Blauth via Unsplash

7. Or, Romanticize Home—You Already Know the Vibe

If you’ve read Soft Life Vol. 1, you know the drill. Light a candle, sip something warm, throw on a kaftan, and pretend your room is a boutique hotel in Marrakech. Soft life isn’t always out there, it can also be within your four walls. Revisit that blog for the full ritual if you need a reminder.

Missed it? Catch up here and romanticize your Lagos living.

Soft life isn’t about running to Dubai (unless you want to). It’s about romanticizing your life in small, intentional ways, even if your account is in survival mode. With a little creativity, N3k can still buy you peace of mind.

Lagos might be a lot, but you’re allowed to be soft within it. 

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