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

Should you visit Lyon or Bilbao?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Bilbao, 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 beautiful, cultural, and quaint city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a industrial, authentic, and colorful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Lyon and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Bilbao?

You'll generally find more things to do in Lyon than Bilbao. Lyon is bigger than Bilbao, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lyon is more touristy than Bilbao and is known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Also, Lyon is famous for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Bilbao is well known for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks.

How is Lyon different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bilbao 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 Bilbao?

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

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Lyon are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

Bilbao offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

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

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its restaurant scene. However, Bilbao is not a culinary destination.

Eat your way through Lyon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Bilbao is not a culinary destination. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Lyon or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Both Lyon and Bilbao are great when it comes to partying.

Lyon offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

Bilbao has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Is Lyon or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

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.

Bilbao has an old town worth visiting. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Bilbao?

Both Lyon and Bilbao are great shopping destinations.

Lyon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 explore the shopping areas in Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Is Lyon or Bilbao Better for Families?

Lyon is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Bilbao offers lots of family activities. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Lyon or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Lyon is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Bilbao is a good city for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Lyon or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is well known for backpackers. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Lyon or Bilbao Better for Students?

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

It's common for students to visit Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

Is Lyon or Bilbao 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, Bilbao 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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Bilbao. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

Is Lyon or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Lyon is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable city. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lyon and Bilbao. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than in Bilbao. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

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

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

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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bilbao. 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 Bilbao?

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.

Bilbao 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.

Five days in Lyon or Bilbao?

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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the industrial destination of Bilbao. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lyon or Bilbao?

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.

The industrial city of Bilbao offers museums and nightlife. 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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.

When comparing the travel costs between Lyon and Bilbao, we can see that Bilbao 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 Lyon Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Bilbao?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Bilbao. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Bilbao, 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 Bilbao?

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 Lyon or Bilbao in the Summer?

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

Lyon is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the summer. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lyon usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during summer. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lyon usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lyon or Bilbao in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Lyon is cooler than Bilbao. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lyon in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Bilbao averages at about 16°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Lyon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bilbao. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Lyon usually gets less rain in October than Bilbao. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Bilbao in the Winter?

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

Lyon can be very cold during winter. In January, Lyon is generally much colder than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 4°C (39°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Bilbao during winter. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In January, Lyon usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lyon or Bilbao in the Spring?

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

Lyon is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the spring. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Lyon often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun.

Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lyon usually gets less rain in April than Bilbao. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Lyon