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

Should you visit Lyon or Imperia?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Imperia, 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 cultural, quaint, and authentic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. You'll find world class beauty here as well. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Imperia

Imperia is a charming, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lyon and Imperia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Imperia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon. Although Lyon and Imperia are both popular with visitors, Lyon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lyon is more touristy than Imperia and is known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also home to The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Imperia is popular for its access to the Ligurian coastline.

How is Lyon different from Imperia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Imperia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.

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

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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 Imperia. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

Is Lyon or Imperia Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

Lyon has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Imperia. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

Is Lyon or Imperia Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Imperia does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Lyon can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Imperia does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Imperia?

Lyon is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Imperia. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing shops.

Is Lyon or Imperia Better for Families?

Lyon is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Imperia is a family-friendly city. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

Is Lyon or Imperia Better for Couples?

Lyon is notable for couples. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for romance.

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

Imperia is a nice destination for couples. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.

Is Lyon or Imperia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is notable for backpackers. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Imperia is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.

Is Lyon or Imperia Better for Students?

Lyon is a must-visit destination for students. However, Imperia 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.

Imperia is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Lyon has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Imperia has some public transit options. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.

Is Lyon or Imperia a more walkable city?

Lyon is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Imperia is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Imperia or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Imperia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Lyon or Imperia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Lyon than Imperia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 1-2 days is enough time in Imperia.

Families should spend more time in Lyon than Imperia. 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 Imperia. 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 Imperia 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 Imperia?

Because Lyon is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Lyon or Imperia?

Because Lyon is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lyon has to offer.

Imperia 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 Imperia?

Lyon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Lyon has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Imperia. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lyon or Imperia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Lyon. 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 undiscovered town of Imperia offers nightlife and food. 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 Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lyon and Imperia, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. And not only is Imperia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Imperia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Imperia 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 Lyon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lyon than you might in Imperia.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Imperia?

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

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 Imperia in the Summer?

Both Imperia and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lyon in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Imperia for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Lyon is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lyon in July average around 22°C (71°F), and Imperia averages at about 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Imperia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. Lyon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Imperia during summer. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lyon usually receives more rain than Imperia. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lyon or Imperia in the Autumn?

Both Imperia and Lyon during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Imperia because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Lyon is generally cooler than Imperia. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 14°C (56°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In the autumn, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 183 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets less rain in October than Imperia. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Imperia in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Imperia. The winter months attract visitors to Lyon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Imperia this time of year.

The weather in Lyon can be very cold. Lyon is much colder than Imperia in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Imperia fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Imperia during winter. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Imperia receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Lyon usually receives less rain than Imperia. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lyon or Imperia in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Imperia. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Imperia for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Lyon is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lyon in April average around 11°C (53°F), and Imperia averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In the spring, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Imperia. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Imperia receives 198 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Imperia. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Imperia and Lyon