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

Should you visit Athens or Lyon?

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 Athens and Lyon. 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.

Athens

Athens is a historic, ancient, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Athens is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Athens travel costs.

Lyon

Lyon is a beautiful, cultural, and quaint city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Many visitors also come to Lyon because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Lyon travel costs.

Athens and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Lyon?

Both Lyon and Athens have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Athens is more popular for its nightlife, while Lyon is known for its shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Athens is popular for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. Lyon is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town.

How is Athens different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of world-class museums and attractions in both Lyon and Athens.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Athens has many famous sights for visitors. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Lyon that are not to be missed. 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.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Lyon can be an enjoyable experience.

Eat your way through Athens, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

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.

Is Athens or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Athens has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. 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 Athens or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the world-class old town areas in both Athens and Lyon.

With a famous historical old-town, Athens offers plenty to see. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

The rich history of Lyon can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Lyon?

Lyon is great for its shopping areas. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Athens is a great destination for shopping. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Athens or Lyon More Beautiful?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Lyon because of it's amazing beauty. The city climbs beautifully into the hills and offers spectacular views and charming character.

Athens is a gorgeous place to visit. With it's stunning archaeological sites, Athens is most beautiful at night, when things light up.

Is Athens or Lyon Better for Families?

Both Athens and Lyon are great family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Athens. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Lyon is 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.

Is Athens or Lyon Better for Couples?

Lyon is great for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Lyon is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Athens is a nice destination for couples. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Is Athens or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Athens is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Athens. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Athens or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Lyon is a very popular place to visit for students. 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.

Athens is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors in Lyon can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Public transit in Athens is fairly effecient and thorough. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Is Athens or Lyon a more walkable city?

Athens and Lyon are great when it comes to walkability.

Athens is a very walkable destination. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

Lyon is very walkable. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Athens?

How long in Athens or Lyon?

In either Athens or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Athens than Lyon because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

Couples should spend more time in Lyon than Athens. 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 Athens than Lyon 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 Athens.

One day in Athens or Lyon?

Athens is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the quaint big city of Lyon. 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 Athens or Lyon?

Athens is a fun place to experience. 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 a weekend exploring. 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 Athens or Lyon?

Athens is a energetic big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Athens or Lyon?

Athens is a ancient city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful 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 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Lyon, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Athens or Lyon?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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 Athens or Lyon?

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 Athens or Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Athens during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Lyon. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Lyon. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Athens or Lyon in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Athens as well as Lyon. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

It's quite cold in Lyon in the winter. In the winter, Athens is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Athens often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in January than Lyon. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Lyon. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Athens