A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lagos vs. Inverness for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Lagos or Inverness?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lagos and Inverness. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Lagos

Lagos is a scenic, adventure-filled, and dramatic resort town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Inverness

Inverness is a local, historic, and cultural city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lagos and Inverness: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lagos or Inverness?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lagos. Although Lagos and Inverness are popular destinations, Lagos has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lagos is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Inverness attracts visitors for its museums, shopping, and small town charm. Lagos is more touristy than Inverness and is known for its dramatic beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife. It is also well known for Ponta da Piedade. Inverness is famous for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness.

How is Lagos different from Inverness?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Inverness and Lagos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lagos or Inverness?

Inverness is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Inverness. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Lagos or Inverness? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Lagos and Inverness offer a number of high quality restaurants to choose from.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Lagos makes for a great culinary experience. The city offers some of the best food in the Algarve. The old town has plenty of restaurants that are both affordable and high quality. Seafood is the obvious choice, but you'll also find tapas, paellas, and local dishes such as cataplana (a seafood and chorizo stew). Most restaurants serve up a local fish of the day as well as prawns and other seafood items.

Inverness has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Is Lagos or Inverness Better for Nightlife?

Lagos is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Lagos offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a mellow vibe, even at night, but that's not to say there aren't good parties going on, particularly during the peak of the travel season. There's a local charm to the nightlife scene here and you'll likely start to recognize other party-goers. Many of the bars are housed in character-filled old buildings which can feel a bit cramped, but that's all part of the charm.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

Is Lagos or Inverness Better for Resorts?

Lagos is terrific for its resorts. However, Inverness is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Lagos is a perfect choice. As a resort town, you'll find no shortage of places to stay in the area. If you don't have a car, your best options are in the historic center. If transportation isn't a concern, then you'll find plenty of great resorts in the Marina, Meia Praia, Dona Ana Beach, Camilo Beach, and Porto de Mós Beach.

Inverness is not a resort destination.

Is Lagos or Inverness Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lagos is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Inverness is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in Lagos. With its unique rock formations and caves, there are many spots where you can snorkel or scuba dive nearby. There's also sparkling blue waters and plenty of marine life including lobster, shrimp, anemones, octopuses, and brightly colored fish.

Inverness is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lagos or Inverness Better for Beaches?

Lagos is terrific for the beache. However, Inverness is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Lagos is a very popular vacation destination. The beaches are long, flat and sandy with beautifully dramatic rock formations. The largest beach in the area is Meia Praia and arguably one of the best beaches is Praia Dona Ana. For convenience, Praia da Batata is the closest beach to town. Praia de Porto de Mós is one of the more quiet beaches, but it's still along a bus line. For beautiful nature head to either Praia dos Estudantes or Praia dos Pinheiros.

Inverness is not a beach destination.

Is Lagos or Inverness Better for Hiking?

Lagos is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Lagos is a popular spot for hiking. The city makes an excellent base for exploring some of the nearby hikes and walks. Favorite places to hike include the famous Ponte de Piedade Trail, which is the last part of the multi-day Fisherman's Trail. It takes you by many beautiful rock formations and scenic viewpoints. Another scenic hike is The Alvor Walkways, which is a series of boardwalks through sand dunes.

Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lagos or Inverness?

Inverness is well known for shopping. Also, Lagos is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Inverness is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Lagos. The town has a long history of local artisan crafts. You can head to the seafront promenade and find local traditional items such as ceramics, leather goods, and jewelry.

Is Lagos or Inverness Better for Families?

Lagos is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Lagos is one of the most popular family destinations. You can spend days hanging out on the beautiful beaches, but there are so many other activities that the whole family will enjoy. Explore the caves in kayaks, take surfing lessons, head for the zoo, or go dolphin watching. There are also plenty of playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants around town.

Inverness is a family-friendly resort town. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Is Lagos or Inverness Better for Couples?

Lagos is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Lagos has plenty to offer. The beaches and hotels in the area offer a truly romantic setting for couples, whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's weekend getaway. Spend some time on the beach or go kayaking through the caves. Get a spa treatment at a luxury hotel or go wine tasting through the countryside. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunsets on a sunset boat cruise while sipping a glass of local wine.

Inverness is a good resort town for couples to visit. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Is Lagos or Inverness Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lagos is terrific for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Lagos. The area is a favorite for backpackers who come to hang out on the beaches during the day or party late into the night after the sun goes down. There are plenty of hostels around town and many offer a social vibe where it's easy to meet other travelers.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Lagos or Inverness Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Lagos and Inverness.

Public transit is generally limited in Lagos. The area has buses, but they are limited in where they go. There is also reduced service on weekends and holidays.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Lagos or Inverness a more walkable city?

Inverness is well known for its walkability. However, Lagos is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

Inverness is very walkable. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

Lagos is not a very walkable resort town. Most people prefer to have a car as some areas are very hilly and many resorts are outside of town. Depending on your fitness level and motivation, you may be able to get by without a vehicle, but it is generally not recommended.

For even more information, also check out Is Lagos Worth Visiting? and Is Inverness Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Inverness or Lagos?

How long in Lagos or Inverness?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lagos and Inverness. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lagos than in Inverness. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Lagos, and 1-3 days is enough time in Inverness.

Families should spend more time in Lagos than Inverness. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lagos, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Lagos than Inverness. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lagos that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lagos than Inverness if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Lagos.

One day in Lagos or Inverness?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the resort town of Lagos. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Inverness, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this local destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Lagos or Inverness?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Lagos. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Inverness. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Lagos or Inverness?

You'll find nightlife and food around the vibrant resort town of Lagos. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this resort town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this resort town has to offer.

Inverness is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Inverness. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Lagos or Inverness?

Lagos is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Inverness. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lagos and Inverness, we can see that Inverness is more expensive. And not only is Lagos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lagos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lagos and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Inverness would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Inverness than you might in Lagos.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lagos Expensive? and Is Inverness Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lagos or Inverness?

Inverness has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Lagos. When comparing the sizes of Lagos and Inverness, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Lagos or Inverness?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lagos or Inverness in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lagos and Inverness. Many travelers come to Lagos for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Inverness in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lagos is much warmer than Inverness. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lagos in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Inverness averages at about 14°C (58°F).

Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Lagos usually receives more rain than Inverness. Lagos gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lagos or Inverness in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lagos as well as Inverness. Many visitors come to Lagos in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Inverness for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere during these months.

In October, Lagos is generally much warmer than Inverness. Daily temperatures in Lagos average around 26°C (79°F), and Inverness fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Lagos receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lagos usually gets more rain in October than Inverness. Lagos gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Inverness in the Winter?

Both Inverness and Lagos are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Lagos for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Inverness because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Inverness can be very cold. Lagos is much warmer than Inverness in the winter. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Inverness fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In January, Lagos usually receives less rain than Inverness. Lagos gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lagos or Inverness in the Spring?

Both Inverness and Lagos during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Lagos because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm are the main draw to Inverness this time of year.

In the spring, Lagos is much warmer than Inverness. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lagos in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Inverness averages at about 7°C (44°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lagos. Lagos usually gets more rain in April than Inverness. Lagos gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Inverness and Lagos