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

Should you visit Lyon or Kotor?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Kotor, 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. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Kotor

Kotor is a beautiful, charming, and historic coastal 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. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Lyon and Kotor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Kotor?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Lyon. Although Lyon and Kotor are popular destinations, Lyon has more sights and attractions for tourists. Lyon is very popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Kotor attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Lyon is more touristy than Kotor and is known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also well known for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Kotor is famous for its medieval old town and its dramatic setting on the coastline surrounded by limestone cliffs.

How is Lyon different from Kotor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Kotor does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Lyon that are not to be missed. 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.

Kotor does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lyon and Kotor 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 Kotor have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Food is fresh and hearty, with many dishes including meats, cheeses, and bread. Popular local dishes include börek, black risotto, and pasulj (a type of baked beans prepared with meats and spices). Seafood is an obvious choice around town as well. Ask for whatever is fresh and enjoy a delicious meal. There are also a number of dessert cafes where you can enjoy pastries at a very affordable price.

Is Lyon or Kotor Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is well known for nightlife. However, Kotor is not particularly known for nightlife and partying.

Lyon is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Kotor doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It has some of the best nightlife in Montenegro, but outside of the summer months you'll find things are very calm. Head to the old town for the highest concentration of bars and clubs.

Is Lyon or Kotor Better for Resorts?

Kotor is a moderate coastal town for its resorts. However, Lyon is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Kotor offers a few options. The town has mostly boutique hotels and apartments, particularly if you want to stay in old town.

Lyon is not a resort destination.

Is Lyon or Kotor Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kotor is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Kotor has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. It's possible to book snorkeling trips with a local vendor, or you can pack your own mask and snorkel and venture into the water on your own.

Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lyon or Kotor Better for Beaches?

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

Kotor has a beach worth visiting. Like many parts of the Mediterranean, the beaches are rocky and pebbly. Many of the beaches are small and quiet, giving them a personal and discovered vibe which many travelers appreciate.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Lyon or Kotor Better for its Old Town?

Lyon and Kotor 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.

Kotor has a world-famous historical area. The city walls and compact historic area make the old town a unique place to explore.

Is Lyon or Kotor Better for Hiking?

Kotor is an amazing coastal town to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Kotor draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The dramatic cliffs and sea views create some of the most beautiful coastal hikes that you'll find. Trails range from walking paths to more strenuous routes like the Ladder of Kotor Hike, which has many switchbacks and stunning views.

Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Kotor?

Lyon is well known for shopping. However, Kotor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Lyon is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Kotor is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Lyon or Kotor Better for Families?

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

Lyon is 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.

Kotor offers lots of family activities. Kids will enjoy wandering the streets of old town, exploring the city's fortress, or making their way around the city walls. There are a few beaches to explore, but they are a bit rocky. It's also fun to get out on the water on a boat ride.

Is Lyon or Kotor Better for Couples?

Lyon and Kotor are both excellent to visit as a couple.

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.

Kotor makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The charming old town, picturesque views, and quaint personality of the town make this a great couple's get away. Whether you want to lounge on the water's edge or soak up the unique culture, there are many hidden sides to the coastal town.

Is Lyon or Kotor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Lyon and Kotor are excellent 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 Kotor. The town is affordable and reasonably accessible, making it a great option for backpackers. It's not as touristy as some of the more popular coastal towns in the area, so you can enjoy a bit of authenticity without spending big bucks.

Is Lyon or Kotor Better for Students?

Lyon is a world-class destination for students. However, Kotor 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.

Kotor is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Kotor is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Lyon can get you around easily. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kotor. Cars aren't allowed in the old town, but you can travel to nearby town's by bus. Most leave from the town's main bus station with higher frequency during the summer months.

Is Lyon or Kotor a more walkable city?

Kotor is an amazing coastal town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Kotor on foot. The old town is best explored on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Kotor or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Kotor?

It's fun to spend time in either Lyon or Kotor. 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 3-4 days is enough time in Kotor.

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

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

Each neighborhood in Lyon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Kotor is a small town where visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food. 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 Kotor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Kotor is a fun place to experience. 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 a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Lyon or Kotor?

Lyon is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Lyon has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Kotor is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This coastal 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 Kotor?

You'll find food and shopping around the quaint big city of Lyon. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Because Kotor 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 Luxury Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lyon and Kotor, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. And not only is Kotor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kotor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kotor 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 Kotor.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Kotor?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Kotor. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Kotor, 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 Kotor?

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 Kotor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Kotor. Most visitors come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kotor because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Lyon is generally cooler than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 22°C (71°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kotor this time of the year. In Lyon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during summer. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Lyon usually receives more rain than Kotor. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lyon or Kotor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Kotor. 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 small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kotor this time of year.

Lyon is cooler than Kotor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Kotor fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kotor. In the autumn, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 203 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kotor. Lyon usually gets less rain in October than Kotor. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Kotor in the Winter?

Both Kotor and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Kotor for the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Lyon in the winter. In the winter, Lyon is much colder than Kotor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lyon in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Kotor averages at about 6°C (42°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during winter. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 121 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kotor. In January, Lyon usually receives less rain than Kotor. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lyon or Kotor in the Spring?

Both Kotor and Lyon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kotor in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Lyon is generally cooler than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 11°C (53°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the spring, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 194 hours of full sun.

Kotor gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lyon usually gets less rain in April than Kotor. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kotor and Lyon