A world worth discovering.

Lagos: the city that never slows down

Art galleries, beach clubs and the best jollof debate in West Africa. Lagos rewards travellers who plan loosely and leave room for detours.

• Flight time from London: about 6 hours 30 minutes
• See the art at the Nike Gallery in Lekki
• Take a boat day out to Tarkwa Bay beach

Accra: beachfront days, city nights

The Ghanaian capital mixes easy ocean afternoons with markets, live music and some of the friendliest welcome in the region.

• Flight time from London: about 6 hours
• Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park
• Day trip to the Kakum National Park canopy walk

Freetown: where the hills meet the sea

Green peninsulas, fishing villages and islands a short boat ride away. Freetown is the region's most underrated coastline.

• Usually connects via Lisbon, Brussels or Casablanca
• Boat across to the Banana Islands for the day
• Plan your transfer from Lungi airport into town

Johannesburg: gold city, big moves

A jumping metropolis of townships, markets and museums, and a convenient gateway to the rest of South Africa.

• Flight time from London: about 11 hours
• Take a guided heritage tour of Soweto
• Book a safari or Cape Town add-on while you're there

Harare: sunshine, gardens and markets

Wide avenues lined with jacarandas, craft markets and easy access to Zimbabwe's national parks and lakes.

• Usually connects via Dubai, Doha or Addis Ababa
• Browse the Avondale farmers' market on a Saturday
• Day trip up to the Nyanga highlands

Abuja: graceful city, wide skies

Nigeria's planned capital is calmer and greener than you expect, with granite outcrops rising out of the savanna.

• Usually connects via Casablanca, Istanbul or Cairo
• Watch the sunset over Jabi Lake
• Zuma Rock is on the road out of the city

Smart tips for cheaper flights

Flexible dates, midweek departures and booking a few weeks ahead often unlock better fares. Use our Cheapest sort to compare across every airline.