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

Should you visit Cape Sounion or Lyon?

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

Should I visit Cape Sounion 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.

Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion is a iconic, impressive, and spectacular destination. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the beaches, museums, and food.

Lyon

Lyon is a cultural, quaint, and authentic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Cape Sounion and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Sounion or Lyon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon. Although Cape Sounion and Lyon are both popular with visitors, Lyon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lyon is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Cape Sounion is known for its beaches. Lyon is more touristy than Cape Sounion and 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. Cape Sounion is popular for its link to Greek mythology and its stunningly beautiful sunsets.

How is Cape Sounion different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cape Sounion or Lyon?

You'll find a number of fantastic museums and attractions in both Lyon and Cape Sounion.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Cape Sounion has many famous sights for visitors. The Temple of Poseidon is the main attraction here, but also nearby you'll find the Temple of Athena. The views, history, and connection to mythology fascinates most visitors who consider this to be a spectacular sight.

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 Cape Sounion or Lyon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lyon is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Cape Sounion offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are cafes as well as fine dining restaurants which are mostly located in hotels. Seafood is the cuisine of choice with many delicious Greek dishes available.

Is Cape Sounion or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Cape Sounion is lacking in options for nightlife.

Lyon has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Cape Sounion is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are some bars and lounges that are connected to hotels. If you're spending the night, these are nice places to enjoy a drink in a beautiful setting.

Is Cape Sounion or Lyon Better for Beaches?

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

Cape Sounion has a beach worth visiting. If you allow enough time, there are a couple of beaches where you can swim while enjoying views of the temple.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Cape Sounion or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is very popular for its historic old town charm. However, Cape Sounion does not have a historic old town.

Lyon has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Cape Sounion does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Sounion or Lyon?

Lyon is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Cape Sounion is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Cape Sounion is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cape Sounion or Lyon Better for Families?

Lyon is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lyon. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cape Sounion. Kids who like mythology will appreciated a trip to the famed Temple of Poseidon. It dates back to the 5th century and is dedicated to the God of the Sea. Also nearby is the Temple of Athena.

Is Cape Sounion or Lyon Better for Couples?

Lyon is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Lyon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Cape Sounion is a nice destination for couples. Couples should definitely stay for the stunning sunset which provides dramatic oranges, pinks, and reds at the sun dips below the horizon.

Is Cape Sounion or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

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.

Cape Sounion is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The Temple of Poseidon is an iconic site about an hour and a half outside of Athens. It appeals to all types of travelers, including backpackers and budget travelers.

Is Cape Sounion or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Cape Sounion 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.

Cape Sounion is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Lyon has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

You'll find some public transit in Cape Sounion, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses that travel from Athens to Cape Sounion and take between 2 and 3 hours.

Is Cape Sounion or Lyon a more walkable city?

Lyon is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Cape Sounion is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Cape Sounion is somewhat walkable. You can walk around the archeological site and the bus stops close enough that it is accessible.

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

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Cape Sounion?

How long in Cape Sounion or Lyon?

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

Families should spend more time in Lyon than Cape Sounion. 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 Cape Sounion. 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 Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion or Lyon?

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

Each neighborhood in Lyon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Cape Sounion or Lyon?

Cape Sounion is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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 fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cape Sounion or Lyon?

You'll find museums and food around the impressive destination of Cape Sounion. This destination offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Each neighborhood in Lyon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Cape Sounion or Lyon?

The spectacular destination of Cape Sounion offers food and museums. 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.

Lyon is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best Adventure 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 Cape Sounion and Lyon, we can see that Cape Sounion is more expensive. And not only is Lyon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lyon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lyon 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 Cape Sounion would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Sounion than you might in Lyon.

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

Which is Bigger, Cape Sounion or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 470 times larger than the population of Cape Sounion. When comparing the sizes of Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion or Lyon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cape Sounion as well as Lyon. Many travelers come to Cape Sounion for the beaches 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, Cape Sounion is generally a little warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Cape Sounion average around 27°C (81°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cape Sounion this time of the year. In the summer, Cape Sounion often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Cape Sounion gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Cape Sounion usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion or Lyon in the Autumn?

Both Lyon and Cape Sounion are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cape Sounion in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area. 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.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cape Sounion. Cape Sounion usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Cape Sounion gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than Lyon. Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Cape Sounion during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cape Sounion for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, 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, Cape Sounion is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cape Sounion in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

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

Cape Sounion usually gets less rain in January than Lyon. Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion or Lyon in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Sounion and Lyon. The spring months attract visitors to Cape Sounion because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

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

In Cape Sounion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cape Sounion usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during spring. Cape Sounion gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cape Sounion usually receives less rain than Lyon. Cape Sounion 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 Cape Sounion