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

Should you visit Lyon or Como?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Como, 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 authentic, historic, and beautiful 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.

Como

Como is a scenic, trendy, and fun lake area. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Lyon and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Como?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lyon than Como, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Lyon is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Como is known for its beaches, hiking, and shopping. Como is more touristy than Lyon and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. 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 Lyon different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon is renowned for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Lyon has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lyon and Como can be difficult as they are each amazing 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 Como have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

Is Lyon or Como Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Lyon or Como Better for Beaches?

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

Como has a beach worth visiting. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Lyon or Como Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Lyon is one of the most recognized in the world. 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.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Lyon or Como Better for Hiking?

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

Como is a popular spot for hiking. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Como?

Como is an amazing lake area to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Como make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

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.

Is Lyon or Como Better for Families?

Lyon and Como are both superb 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 Como. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

Is Lyon or Como Better for Couples?

Como is an amazing lake area to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Como has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

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 Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Lyon and Como are superb destinations for backpackers.

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 and backpackers visit Como. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

Is Lyon or Como Better for Students?

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

Lyon is a great destination 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.

Como is not popular with students.

Is Lyon or Como 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, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find some public transit in Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Lyon or Como a more walkable city?

Lyon and Como both are superb 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.

Como is a very walkable destination. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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

Should I spend more time in Como or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Lyon or Como. 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 Como.

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

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

Lyon 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Como. 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 Como?

Lyon is a fun place to experience. 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.

Como is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Como?

Lyon is a historic 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the fun destination of Como. This lake area 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 Como?

The cultural city of Lyon offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

The trendy lake area of Como offers shopping and nightlife. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Como?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Como, 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 Como?

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 Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Lyon during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Como this time of year.

In the summer, Lyon is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lyon in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Como averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Como, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lyon. In the summer, Lyon often gets more sunshine than Como. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Como. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Como in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Como. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Lyon is generally around the same temperature as Como. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 14°C (56°F), and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Como during autumn. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Como receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lyon usually receives less rain than Como. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lyon or Como in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Como. Many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Como in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Como can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. Lyon is cooler than Como in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Como. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets less rain in January than Como. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Como in the Spring?

Both Como and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Lyon is cooler than Como. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lyon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Como averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Lyon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Como during spring. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lyon usually receives less rain than Como. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Lyon