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

Should you visit Lyon or Milan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Milan, 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 historic, beautiful, and cultural city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Milan

Milan is a trendy, chic, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Lyon and Milan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Milan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Milan than Lyon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Milan is more popular for its nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Lyon is known for its museums and quaint atmosphere. Lyon is more touristy than Milan and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Milan is popular for its grand squares, dramatic architecture, and its leadership in the fashion world. It is also home to Piazza del Duomo.

How is Lyon different from Milan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Milan. The Milan Cathedral is the most famous landmark in the city, but other sights include Castello Sforzesco, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Sant'Ambrogio.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Lyon and Milan can be difficult as they are each first-rate 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 Milan have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a mix of traditional dishes combined with modernized, trendy restaurants. You can try a new dish by a groundbreaking chef, or sample a long running favorite like risotto alla Milanese.

Is Lyon or Milan Better for Nightlife?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Milan has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has a huge number of students and young professionals, which make it a fun place with an active nightlife. There are cocktail bars, trendy clubs, and relaxed pubs that you can chose from.

Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Is Lyon or Milan Better for Music?

Milan is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Lyon is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Milan The diversity of music ranges from classical concerts to techno raves. Popular venues include Blue Note Milan, Santeria Social Club, and Spirit de Milan.

Lyon is not a live music destination.

Is Lyon or Milan Better for its Old Town?

Lyon and Milan both have first-rate 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.

Milan has a world-famous historical area. Known as the Centro Storic, this area is the most popular with tourists. It's where you'll find the most historic buildings and beautiful sights in the city.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Milan?

Milan is an amazing city 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 Milan make it a world-class shopping destination. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, shopping is the thing to do here. There are many streets that are lined with the biggest designers in fashion. Make sure you check out Via Monte Napoleone, Via Della Spiga, and Corso Buenos Aires.

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 Milan Better for Families?

Lyon is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milan is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lyon. 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.

Milan is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a science museum and a children's museum, MuBa, that is great for the kids. There are also a number of parks to explore as well as playgrounds where the kids and get out their energy.

Is Lyon or Milan Better for Couples?

Lyon and Milan are both high quality 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.

Milan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many beautiful buildings, excellent shopping, and romantic restaurants that make for a wonderful couple's getaway.

Is Lyon or Milan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Lyon and Milan are high quality 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 Milan. While not as popular with backpackers as some Italian city's, there are a number of hostels and great activities that are fun for visitors.

Is Lyon or Milan Better for Students?

Lyon and Milan are both first-rate destinations for students and younger travelers.

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.

Milan is a very popular city for students. It is one of the more popular city's for international students in Italy. It is very livable with a lot of culture and a fun nightlife, so you're sure to have the experience of a lifetime.

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

Both Lyon and Milan offer first-rate public transit options.

Public transit in Lyon is top-notch. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Milan has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. Options include metro, bus, tram, and train lines.

Is Lyon or Milan a more walkable city?

Milan is an amazing city 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 Milan on foot. In particular, the city center is walkable.

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 Milan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milan or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Milan?

In either Lyon or Milan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Milan has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Milan than Lyon. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 1-5 days is enough time in Milan.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Milan than Lyon 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 Milan.

One day in Lyon or Milan?

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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the big city destination of Milan. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Lyon or Milan?

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.

Milan 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.

Five days in Lyon or Milan?

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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural big city of Milan. 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.

A week in Lyon or Milan?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural 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.

The cultural city of Milan offers shopping and museums. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Milan?

Milan has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Milan, 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 Milan?

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 Milan in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Milan. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Milan for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Milan. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In the summer, Lyon often gets more sunshine than Milan. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milan receives 250 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Lyon or Milan in the Autumn?

Both Milan and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Milan in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

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

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

Should I visit Lyon or Milan in the Winter?

Both Milan and Lyon during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lyon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Milan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Milan can be very cold during winter. Lyon can get quite cold in the winter. Lyon is cooler than Milan in the winter. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Milan fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

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

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

Should I visit Lyon or Milan in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Milan. Most visitors come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Milan because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

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

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

Typical Weather for Milan and Lyon