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

Should you visit Lagos or Manchester?

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 Manchester. 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. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Manchester

Manchester is a cultural, vibrant, and dynamic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for live music, food, and shopping.

Lagos and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lagos or Manchester?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Manchester. Although Lagos and Manchester are both popular with visitors, Manchester has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Manchester is more popular for its museums, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Lagos is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Lagos is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for its dramatic beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife. Manchester is popular for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also home to The National Football Museum.

How is Lagos different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Manchester 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 Manchester?

Manchester 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 Manchester. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

Lagos does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Lagos and Manchester 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.

Manchester has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Lagos or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Lagos and Manchester.

Lagos is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Lagos or Manchester Better for Music?

Manchester is well known for live music. However, Lagos is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Manchester. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Lagos is not a live music destination.

Is Lagos or Manchester Better for Resorts?

Lagos is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester is not a resort destination.

Is Lagos or Manchester Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lagos is great for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lagos or Manchester Better for Beaches?

Lagos is very popular for its beaches. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is Lagos or Manchester Better for Hiking?

Lagos is great for hiking. However, Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Lagos for the hiking trails. 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.

Manchester is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lagos or Manchester?

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

Manchester is an extremely popular place for shoppers. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

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 Manchester Better for Families?

Lagos is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-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.

Manchester is a very kid-friendly resort town. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

Is Lagos or Manchester Better for Couples?

Lagos is very popular for romance. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

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.

Manchester is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

Is Lagos or Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lagos is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Lagos or Manchester Better for Students?

Manchester is well known for students. However, Lagos is not popular with students.

Many students visit Manchester. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Lagos is not popular with students.

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

Manchester is well known for its public transit. However, Lagos is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Manchester can move around easily with public transportation. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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

Is Lagos or Manchester a more walkable city?

Manchester is a good destination for its walkability. However, Lagos is not particularly known for its high level of walkability.

Manchester is somewhat walkable. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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 Manchester Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Lagos?

How long in Lagos or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Lagos or Manchester. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lagos due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Lagos, and 2-4 days is enough time in Manchester.

Families should spend more time in Lagos than Manchester. 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 Manchester. 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 Manchester 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 Manchester?

With shopping and nightlife around the vibrant resort town of Lagos, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Each neighborhood in Manchester has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Lagos or Manchester?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Lagos, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. 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 Manchester?

Lagos, a popular resort town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this resort town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Manchester is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the big city destination of Manchester. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Lagos or Manchester?

Lagos is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural big city of Manchester. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lagos and Manchester, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lagos or Manchester?

Manchester has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Lagos. When comparing the sizes of Lagos and Manchester, 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 Manchester?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lagos or Manchester in the Summer?

Both Manchester and Lagos during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lagos for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Manchester in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lagos is much warmer than Manchester in the summer. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lagos. Lagos usually gets more rain in July than Manchester. Lagos gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Manchester in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lagos and Manchester. Many visitors come to Lagos in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Lagos is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lagos in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Manchester averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Lagos usually receives more rain than Manchester. Lagos gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lagos or Manchester in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lagos as well as Manchester. Most visitors come to Lagos for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Manchester because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Manchester can be very cold. In January, Lagos is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Lagos average around 27°C (81°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Lagos usually gets less rain in January than Manchester. Lagos gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lagos or Manchester in the Spring?

Both Manchester and Lagos are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Lagos because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.

Lagos is much warmer than Manchester in the spring. The daily temperature in Lagos averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It's quite rainy in Lagos. In April, Lagos usually receives more rain than Manchester. Lagos gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Lagos