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

Should you visit Dingle or Lyon?

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

Should I visit Dingle 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.

Dingle

Dingle is a picturesque, serene, and natural peninsula. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, 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.

Dingle and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dingle or Lyon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon. Although Dingle and Lyon are both popular with visitors, Lyon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lyon is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Dingle is known for its beaches and hiking. Dingle is popular for its traditional pubs, stunning coastline, and rugged cliffs. 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 Dingle different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options 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.

While most people don't head to Dingle specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people visit for the natural beauty, but there are a couple of landmarks in the area including the Eask Tower, Gallarus Oratory, and the Blasket Centre.

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Dingle 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 Dingle. You'll find great seafood throughout the peninsula. There's also traditional Irish food available including Irish stew or cabbage and bacon.

Is Dingle or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Lyon know how to have a good time. 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.

Dingle doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The area's not known for its nightlife but you can visit The Hillgrove, which is the peninsula's only nightclub. It's in a hotel and there is weekly entertainment.

Is Dingle or Lyon Better for Beaches?

Dingle is a well-known place for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Dingle. It's not hard to find a quiet beach with scenic views and a serene setting. Some of the best beaches in the area include Coumeenole, Brandon Bay, and Ventry.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Dingle or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Dingle does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Lyon offers plenty to see. 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.

Dingle does not have a historic old town.

Is Dingle or Lyon Better for Hiking?

Dingle is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Dingle is a popular spot for hiking. There are a variety of walking paths and hiking trails that take you through the coastal setting, rolling mountains, and remote nature. Some of the best trails in the area include the long distance hiking trail the Dingle Way, Mount Brandon, and Glenteenassig Forest Park.

Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dingle or Lyon?

Lyon is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Dingle is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Dingle is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Dingle or Lyon Better for Families?

Lyon is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dingle 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.

Dingle offers lots of family activities. There are coastal walks and beaches that are perfect for kids. You can also visit the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, do a dolphin tour, or enjoy some watersports. Horseback riding and Sandy Feet Farm are both fun as well.

Is Dingle or Lyon Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Dingle and Lyon make for a very good place to visit.

Couples visit Dingle frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Boat rides, sunset walks, and natural beauty all make this a fun place to explore with your significant other.

Lyon is a great peninsula 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.

Is Dingle or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dingle and Lyon are very good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Dingle is a very popular peninsula for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a good number of hostels on the peninsula and there are interesting music festivals and other events that make this a good backpacker destination.

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

Is Dingle or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for students. However, Dingle 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.

Dingle is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its public transit. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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 is mostly limited in Dingle. Bus Eireann offers buses daily to Tralee and then there are connections to other destinations.

Is Dingle or Lyon a more walkable city?

Lyon is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options 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.

Dingle is generally not a very walkable peninsula. If you have enough time, there are countless walking trails throughout the peninsula.

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

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Dingle?

How long in Dingle or Lyon?

In either Dingle or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Lyon has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Lyon than Dingle. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Lyon than Dingle. 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 Dingle. 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 Dingle 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 Dingle or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Dingle. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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 Dingle or Lyon?

Dingle is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Dingle or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the scenic destination of Dingle. This peninsula offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Dingle or Lyon?

The serene peninsula of Dingle offers food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 10-Day Tours in Ireland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Dingle 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 Dingle Expensive? and Is Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dingle or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Dingle. When comparing the sizes of Dingle 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 Dingle 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 Dingle or Lyon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dingle and Lyon. Many travelers come to Dingle for the beaches, the hiking, 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, Dingle is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Dingle average around 15°C (59°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. Dingle usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during summer. Dingle gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dingle usually receives more rain than Lyon. Dingle gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dingle or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dingle as well as Lyon. Many visitors come to Dingle in the autumn for the hiking trails and 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.

Dingle is cooler than Lyon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dingle averages around 12°C (53°F) in October, and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Dingle often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Dingle gets 79 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Dingle receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Dingle usually gets more rain in October than Lyon. Dingle gets 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dingle or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Dingle are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Dingle for the museums 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, Dingle is much warmer than Lyon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dingle in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Lyon averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Dingle usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during winter. Dingle gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Dingle. In January, Dingle usually receives more rain than Lyon. Dingle gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dingle or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Dingle during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Dingle 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, Dingle is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Dingle average around 9°C (48°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Dingle often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Dingle gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Dingle usually gets more rain in April than Lyon. Dingle gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Dingle