A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Aegina vs. Lyon for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Aegina or Lyon?

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

Should I visit Aegina or Lyon? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Aegina

Aegina is a relaxing, vibrant, and fun island. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lyon

Lyon is a cultural, quaint, and authentic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aegina and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Aegina or Lyon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon. Although Aegina and Lyon are both popular with visitors, Lyon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lyon is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Aegina is known for its beaches and small town charm. Aegina is popular for its local pistachio nuts, its nice seaside setting, and its easy access from Athens. Lyon is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also home to The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

How is Aegina different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Aegina or Lyon?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Lyon on the map. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

Many visitors head to Aegina specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are several temples on the island such as the Temple of Athena Aphaia and the Temple of Apollo. There's also and Archeological Museum that is nice to visit.

Is the Food Better in Aegina or Lyon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Lyon is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Aegina. There's a vibrant restaurant scene that includes traditional eateries serving seafood and refreshing ice cream shops where you can cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor.

Is Aegina or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Aegina or Lyon has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Aegina know how to have a good time. There's a great nightlife scene on the island. Most of the dance clubs are found in Agia Marina and you'll find more relaxing lounges around Aegina Town and other villages on the island.

The nightlife in Lyon has something for everybody. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

Is Aegina or Lyon Better for Beaches?

Aegina is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

Aegina has a beach worth visiting. While most of the beaches are small and crowded, they do offer a number of tourist facilities such as nearby bars and restaurants, as well as hotels. The most popular beaches on the island are Souvala and Agia Marina.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Aegina or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Lyon offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Aegina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Aegina or Lyon?

Lyon is a great destination for its shopping areas. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Aegina. You'll find the standard souvenir shops around town where you can buy trinkets or other items you may have forgotten.

Is Aegina or Lyon Better for Families?

Lyon is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Lyon is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

Aegina offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy the ferry ride from Athens as well as the pirate stories they'll hear throughout their trip. There are places that the whole family can swim and great restaurants with kid-friendly food.

Is Aegina or Lyon Better for Couples?

Lyon is a great destination for couples. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Lyon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Aegina is a nice destination for couples. Couples will appreciate the beauty and great restaurants that this beautiful island offers. It's a charming day trip from Athens that is filled with impressive historical sights and a nice atmosphere.

Is Aegina or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lyon is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Aegina is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Like most visitors, backpackers can hop on a ferry in Athens and visit the island as a day trip. It makes a nice excursion with many affordable restaurants and fun activities.

Is Aegina or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for students. However, Aegina is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Lyon. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

Aegina is not popular with students.

Is Aegina or Lyon Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Lyon is top-notch. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

While Aegina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You'll find the central bus station in Aegina Town and there you can catch buses that travel around the island.

Is Aegina or Lyon a more walkable city?

Lyon is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Aegina is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Lyon is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

Aegina is somewhat walkable. The town is walkable, but to explore elsewhere on the island, it's easiest to have your own vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Aegina Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Aegina?

How long in Aegina or Lyon?

In either Aegina or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than Aegina because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Aegina, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Aegina 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 Lyon.

One day in Aegina or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Aegina. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Aegina or Lyon?

Aegina is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Lyon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Aegina or Lyon?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the relaxing destination of Aegina. This island offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Aegina or Lyon?

The vibrant island of Aegina offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic big city of Lyon. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Honeymoon Tours in Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aegina and Lyon, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. And not only is Aegina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aegina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aegina 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon than you might in Aegina.

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

Which is Bigger, Aegina or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Aegina. When comparing the sizes of Aegina and Lyon, 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 Aegina or Lyon?

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 Aegina or Lyon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Aegina and Lyon. Many travelers come to Aegina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Aegina is generally a little warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 27°C (81°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In Aegina, it's very sunny this time of the year. Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during summer. Aegina gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Aegina usually receives less rain than Lyon. Aegina gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Aegina or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Aegina as well as Lyon. Many visitors come to Aegina in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Aegina is a little warmer than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Aegina averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aegina this time of the year. In the autumn, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Aegina gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Aegina gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Aegina or Lyon in the Winter?

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

The weather in Lyon can be very cold. In the winter, Aegina is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Aegina in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Aegina usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during winter. Aegina gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Aegina usually receives less rain than Lyon. Aegina gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Aegina or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Aegina during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Aegina because of the beaches and the small town charm. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

In April, Aegina is generally a little warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Aegina average around 16°C (60°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Aegina. In the spring, Aegina often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Aegina gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Aegina usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Aegina gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Aegina