A Travel Price Comparison for France Lyon vs. Annecy for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Lyon or Annecy?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Annecy, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lyon

Lyon is a quaint, authentic, and historic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Annecy

Annecy is a charming, stunning, and breathtaking alpine town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lyon and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Annecy?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lyon than Annecy, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lyon is better known for its museums, nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Annecy is more popular for its hiking and small town charm. Annecy is more touristy than Lyon and is popular for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Lyon is well known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Also, Lyon is famous for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

How is Lyon different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lyon is renowned for its historical sights. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Lyon are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lyon and Annecy can be difficult as they are each terrific in their own way.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lyon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Many restaurants in Annecy have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Is Lyon or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its evening party scene.

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Lyon or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Lyon and Annecy both have terrific historical old towns that attract visitors.

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.

Annecy has a world-famous historical area. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Is Lyon or Annecy Better for Hiking?

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

Annecy is a popular spot for hiking. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Annecy?

Lyon is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its shopping areas.

Lyon is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Annecy to go shopping. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Lyon or Annecy Better for Families?

Lyon and Annecy are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Lyon is a very kid-friendly city. 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 family-friendly things to do in Annecy. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Is Lyon or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is an amazing alpine town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Annecy has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

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.

Is Lyon or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for backpackers.

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

It's common for backpackers to visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Lyon or Annecy Better for Students?

Lyon is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit 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.

Annecy is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its public transit.

Lyon has a great public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Annecy has a few public transit options. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Lyon or Annecy a more walkable city?

Lyon and Annecy both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Lyon is a very walkable city. 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.

Annecy is a very walkable destination. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Lyon or Annecy. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lyon due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 2-4 days is enough time in Annecy.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon than Annecy 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 Lyon or Annecy?

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.

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Lyon or Annecy?

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.

Annecy is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

Five days in Lyon or Annecy?

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.

Annecy is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This alpine town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lyon or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural 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.

Because Annecy is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lyon and Annecy, we can see that Annecy 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 Annecy would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Annecy 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 Lyon Expensive? and Is Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Annecy?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Annecy, 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 Lyon or Annecy?

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 Lyon or Annecy in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Annecy. Most visitors come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Annecy because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Lyon is around the same temperature as Annecy in the summer. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Annecy fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Annecy. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In the summer, Lyon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Annecy. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Annecy in the Autumn?

Both Annecy and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

In the autumn, Lyon is around the same temperature as Annecy. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lyon in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Annecy averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Lyon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy during autumn. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lyon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Annecy. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lyon or Annecy in the Winter?

Both Annecy and Lyon during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Annecy for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Annecy. It's quite cold in Lyon in the winter. In January, Lyon is generally around the same temperature as Annecy. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 4°C (39°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Lyon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Annecy. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Annecy in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Annecy. Many travelers come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Annecy in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Lyon is around the same temperature as Annecy in the spring. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Annecy fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Lyon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy during spring. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lyon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Annecy. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Lyon