A long weekend is the easiest time for a short break in Nigeria. Book a shortlet as soon as the holiday is announced, or earlier for holidays on fixed dates. Pick somewhere close, so you spend the break resting, not in traffic. And choose a stay you can cancel, because some holiday dates are confirmed only days before.
This guide explains why holiday weekends fill fast, how to check the dates, when to book, and simple getaway ideas in Lagos and Abuja.
Why long weekends fill fast
On a public holiday, almost everyone is off work at the same time. That changes the shortlet market for a few days.
- Families travel. Relatives come home from other cities, and from abroad. Many would rather have a whole flat than squeeze into the family house.
- Friends plan trips. A three-day weekend is long enough for a group break, a birthday or a reunion.
- City people stay local. Many Lagos and Abuja residents skip the airport and book a staycation a short drive from home.
- Events cluster. Weddings, church and mosque events, concerts and family parties often land on holiday weekends.
The result is simple. The best homes in the best areas go first, and hosts can charge more for busy dates. Booking early is the single best way to get a good home at a fair price.
Some hosts also only take stays of two or three nights. A one-night stay on a holiday weekend can be hard to find, so plan for at least two.
Checking holiday dates
In Nigeria, the Federal Government declares public holidays. The announcement comes from the Ministry of Interior, and the national news carries it. State governments sometimes add holidays of their own.
Some holidays fall on the same date every year. Others move. We do not list dates here, because the moving ones change each year, and even fixed ones can shift when the government declares an extra day.
| Type | Holidays | What it means for booking |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed date | New Year’s Day, Workers’ Day, Democracy Day, Independence Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day | You can plan weeks or months ahead. |
| Moves with the church calendar | Good Friday and Easter Monday | Known well in advance. Easter gives a four-day weekend. |
| Moves with the moon | Eid-el-Fitr and Eid-el-Kabir (the two Sallah holidays), and Eid-el-Maulud | The exact day is often confirmed only a few days before. Keep your plans flexible. |
When a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the government sometimes declares the next working day a holiday too. Do not count on it. Wait for the announcement before you add an extra night.
For the two Sallah holidays, see our guide to a Sallah holiday getaway. For the busiest season of all, read planning your Detty December stay.
Booking early
The earlier you book, the more choice you have. Here is a simple plan for each kind of holiday.
- Fixed-date holidays. Book a few weeks ahead, or more for Christmas and New Year.
- Easter. Book once you know the dates, which you can find well in advance.
- Sallah and Maulud. Book around the expected dates. Choose a stay you can cancel for free, or add a spare night, in case the day moves.
Before you pay for any holiday stay, check these points:
- The cancellation rule. Until when can you cancel, and do you get everything back?
- The minimum stay. Does the host take the number of nights you want?
- Check-in and check-out times. Arriving late on the first evening? Tell the host.
- Power and water. How many hours does the generator run? Is there a borehole or a water tank?
- The total price. Nights, any cleaning fee, and the refundable caution deposit.
- The house rules. Visitors, noise, smoking and parties.
Holiday weekends also bring out fake adverts. Never pay a stranger by bank transfer to “hold” a home you have not seen. Our guide to shortlet scam warning signs shows what to look out for.
On Cabans, open a shortlet and pick your dates in the booking box. Free dates are green, and it says “Night prices vary by date” when holiday nights cost more. Before you pay, the box shows your free-cancellation deadline, such as “Free cancellation until Tue 6 Oct 2026, 14:00 WAT”. Press “Reserve” and we hold the dates for 30 minutes while you pay. You pay securely online through Paystack. Paystack’s processing fee is paid by you, and you see it before you pay. It is not refunded.
If the holiday moves, you can cancel before the deadline with no approval needed. You get back the nights, the cleaning fee and the caution deposit. Refunds reach you within 14 days at most, usually in about 5 days. See how to cancel a booking.
Lagos ideas
Lagos traffic decides how good a Lagos long weekend is. Holiday roads can be quieter in the morning and packed near beaches and markets later in the day. Stay close to what you want to do.
- Beach days. Stay in Lekki or Ajah, near the coast. Leave for the beach early, before the crowds. See shortlets in Lekki and shortlets in Ajah.
- A city break. Victoria Island and Ikoyi suit restaurants, galleries, rooftop views and nights out. See Victoria Island and Ikoyi.
- A mainland rest. Ikeja, Magodo and Gbagada are close to home for many mainland families, with no bridges to cross. See shortlets in Ikeja.
- A change of scene. Epe and Badagry are quieter, with water, greenery and history. They are further out, so plan the drive. See Epe and Badagry.
A simple three-day Lagos plan:
- Day 1: arrive in the afternoon, unpack, cook or eat nearby, and have a film night.
- Day 2: one outing in the morning, such as the beach, a boat ride or a craft market. Rest by the pool in the afternoon heat.
- Day 3: a slow breakfast, pack, check out on time, and head home before the evening rush.
Want the whole weekend at home? A shortlet with a pool, a view or steady power can feel like a holiday without leaving the city. Our Nigerian staycation guide has more ideas, and couples can follow our Lagos weekend getaway plan.
Ready to pick a home? See staycation shortlets in Lagos you can book online for the long weekend.
Abuja ideas
Abuja is calmer than Lagos on a long weekend, and the roads are wider. That makes it a good choice for a restful break, or for families meeting from different states.
- Quiet and green. Maitama and Asokoro have calm streets and bigger homes. See shortlets in Maitama and Asokoro.
- Food and nightlife. Wuse 2 is busy with restaurants and lounges. See shortlets in Wuse 2.
- Room for the family. Gwarinpa has larger homes and a more relaxed feel. See Gwarinpa.
- Central and practical. Garki is close to many offices, markets and roads out of town. See Garki.
A simple three-day Abuja plan:
- Day 1: arrive, settle in, and eat somewhere close.
- Day 2: a morning walk by the lake at Jabi or in one of the city’s parks, then a long lunch and an afternoon swim.
- Day 3: brunch, a drive to see the hills around the city, then home.
Plan for the weather. Abuja’s rainy season brings heavy afternoon storms, and the dry harmattan months bring dust and cool mornings. Ask the host whether the home has a covered space to relax outside. For more on areas, read where to stay in Abuja.
See weekend shortlets in Abuja you can book online, with the price for your exact dates shown before you pay.
What a long weekend costs
We do not quote prices, because they change by area, date and home. Here is what goes into the real cost. Add each line before you decide.
| Cost | What to know |
|---|---|
| The nights | Holiday nights often cost more than ordinary nights. Compare the total for your dates. |
| Cleaning fee | Charged once per stay, if the host has one. |
| Caution deposit | Refundable. You get it back after check-out if nothing is damaged. |
| Getting there | Fuel, rides, tolls or flights, both ways. |
| Food | Groceries for breakfast and one or two meals out. |
| Outings | Entry fees, boat rides and rides to and from each one. |
Ways to spend less:
- Stay close to home, and skip the flights and long drives.
- Share a bigger home with family or friends. Our guide to choosing the right size helps.
- Cook breakfast and one meal a day yourself.
- Pick a quieter holiday. Christmas and New Year cost the most.
Plan your getaway
Plan a getaway across Nigeria, pick a home close to what you want to do, and book early. Or start with shortlets across Lagos and shortlets in Abuja, and compare two or three homes for the same dates.
Own a home that guests would love for a holiday weekend? List your shortlet and reach guests planning their next break.
Frequently asked questions
Who announces public holidays in Nigeria?
The Federal Government declares public holidays, through the Ministry of Interior. The news carries each announcement. Holidays on fixed dates are known all year. Holidays that move, such as the two Sallah holidays, are often confirmed only a few days before.
How early should I book a shortlet for a long weekend?
Book as soon as your plans are firm. For a holiday on a fixed date, a few weeks ahead gives you a good choice. For a holiday that moves, book around the expected dates, and choose a stay you can cancel for free if the date shifts.
Are shortlets more expensive on public holidays?
Often, yes. Hosts can charge more for busy dates. Compare the total price for your exact dates, including any cleaning fee, rather than the price for one night.
How many nights should a long-weekend getaway be?
Three nights suits most three-day weekends: arrive on the first evening, and leave on the last day of the holiday. Check the home’s minimum stay first, because some hosts only take stays of two nights or more.
Is a staycation worth it if I already live in the city?
Yes, if you pick a home that feels different from your own: a pool, a view, a quiet estate or steady power. You save on flights and long road trips, and you still get a real break.
What should I bring for a holiday shortlet?
Chargers, a power bank, a torch, insect repellent, swimwear, slippers and any food you want for breakfast. Bring some cash for rides and small shops, as card machines are not everywhere.
Can I cancel a shortlet booked on Cabans if the holiday moves?
Yes, until the free-cancellation deadline shown before you pay. Cancel before it and you get back the nights, the cleaning fee and the caution deposit. Refunds reach you within 14 days at most, usually in about 5 days.
Related guides
The Nigerian staycation guide · Weekend getaway in Lagos for couples · Sallah holiday getaway · Detty December in Lagos · Where to stay in Abuja · Shortlet scam warning signs
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