What are the best things to do in Lyon?
Top picks in Lyon include Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Vieux Lyon and traboules, Place Bellecour, Musée des Confluences. See the full list and itinerary on this Lyon travel guide.
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Lyon Travel Guide
Things to do in Lyon — Explore Lyon
Photo: Aldg692VX · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Lyon
thumb|right|Fourvière basilica from the river Saône, illuminated at night Founded by the Romans, with many preserved historical areas, Lyon is the archetype of the heritage city, as recognised by UNESCO. Lyon is a vibrant metropolis which starts to make the most out of its unique architectural, cultural and gastronomic heritage, its dynamic demographics and economy and its strategic location between Northern and Southern Europe. It is more and more open to the world, with an increasing number of students and… (Source: Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA.)
Lyon is a stop in France, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 1 days. If time is short, prioritise Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Vieux Lyon and traboules, Place Bellecour instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 110–240 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Experiences
Things to do in Lyon
1
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
2
Vieux Lyon and traboules
3
Place Bellecour
4
Musée des Confluences
5
Parc de la Tête d'Or
6
Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
7
Roman theatres of Fourvière
8
Presqu'île shopping streets
Plan your trip
Lyon itinerary (1 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit St Jean Cathedral
- Visit St Jean archaeological garden
- Visit Opera house
- Eat at Chez Mounier
Prefer a full 9-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Lyon itinerary guide.
Budget
Lyon trip cost
Budget
USD 50–85
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 110–240
per person / day
Luxury
USD 275–455+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Lyon, France. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Lyon
Estimated total (USD)
$3,090
≈ $1,545 per person · $441 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $180/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Lyon mid-range ground costs (budget 50–85 · mid 110–240 · luxury 275–455+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Chez Mounier
A traditional bouchon (restaurant) with good food.
Chez M'man
French cuisine, typical Lyonnais dishes and excellent hospitality. It's a well-run establishment near Place Bellecour. A picturesque place i
Apiales
Pitaya Thaï Street Food
A dive into the streets of Bangkok and its colourful and tasty street food. Fresh and quality products cooked in the wok at the moment in fr
Boulangerie Chez Jules St Paul
Small boulangerie near the historic centre with a great variety of breads, cakes, sandwiches, pizza, salads. There is also the possibility t
La Piazzetta
Nice setting on the banks of the Saône, the owner's cooking is a delight. Like a trip to Italy. Quality ingredients, the pastas and pizzas a
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Hotel Victoria
- $
Hotel Saint Paul
This 2-star hotel offers rather small rooms but very good service and cleanliness. Good value for money. The street can be quite noisy, so a
Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon
- $
Hôtel Vaubecour
Clean, quiet and friendly hotel with small bedroom and modern bathroom. No air conditioning.
Auberge de Jeunesse de Vieux Lyon
Belongs to YHA (international youth hostels association). Bunk bed in a dorm, plus breakfast for €21 (plus fee, if not member of YHA). Excel
Shopping
- Pralus
- La Part-Dieu
- Rue de la République
- Rue du Président Edouard Herriot, rue Gasparin, rue Émile Zola, rue des Archers
- Rue Victor Hugo
- Rue Auguste Comte
Nightlife
- Kelly's Pub
- Paddy's Corner
- Johnny Walsh's
- Wallace
- The Smoking Dog
- Hot Club de Lyon
Museums & culture
- St Jean Cathedral
In pictures
Lyon gallery
Photos: Aldg692VX, Dennis G. Jarvis, Qmin, Sgroey, TwoWings — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Lyon travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Lyon?
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
How many days do I need in Lyon?
Plan at least 1 days in Lyon for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Lyon?
Popular stays in Lyon include Hotel Victoria, Hotel Saint Paul, Radisson Blu Hotel, Lyon. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Lyon cost?
On the ground in Lyon (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 50–85 per person per day, mid-range about 110–240, and luxury about 275–455+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Lyon, France. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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