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

Should you visit Lyon or Verona?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lyon or Verona, 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. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Verona

Verona is a romantic, cultural, and beautiful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Lyon and Verona: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lyon or Verona?

You'll generally find more things to do in Lyon than Verona. Lyon is bigger than Verona, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lyon is well known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Also, Lyon is famous for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Verona is well known for its role as the setting of one of Shakespeare's most famous plays.

How is Lyon different from Verona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Lyon are world-renowned. 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.

Many visitors head to Verona specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. While most people know Verona as the setting of Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", there are also many unrelated but still impressive sights around town. Of course you must check out the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House and Balcony), but also make sure you visit the fortress of Castelvecchio, Arena di Verona, and Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore.

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and 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.

Dining out in Verona is an experience not to be missed. Food is a source of pride for the locals in Verona, and you'll find excellent dishes in most eateries, even those catering specifically to tourists. There are many local recipes that are worth sampling while you're in the area including risotto with tastasal, potato gnocchi, and polenta.

Is Lyon or Verona Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Lyon has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Verona. The nightlife scene caters to a mature crowd and there is a heavy focus on regional wine. There are many local bars and traditional osterie (inns) where you can sip local wine or hear live music.

Is Lyon or Verona Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its old town. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town charm.

With a famous historical old-town, Lyon offers plenty to see. 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Verona. At the heart of the city is the old town, which is filled with medieval and Renaissance style architecture. It's easy to explore this beautiful area on foot.

Is the Shopping Better in Lyon or Verona?

Lyon is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Lyon is well-known for its shopping. 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 go to Verona to go shopping. The most well known shopping street is Corso Santa Anastasia, which has many antique shops as well as jewelry stores and high end boutiques.

Is Lyon or Verona Better for Families?

Lyon is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. However, Verona is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Lyon is very family-friendly. 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.

Verona is not the most family-friendly destination. You can head to the top of the the Lamberti Tower and, of course, check out the Romeo and Juliet balcony. Wandering the streets and grabbing gelato is also fun for the whole family.

Is Lyon or Verona Better for Couples?

Lyon and Verona are both very good 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.

Verona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. As the setting for Shakespeare's famed "Romeo and Juliet", this town is seeped in romantic history. In addition to checking out the classic balcony, couples can enjoy seeing an opera at Verona Arena or seeking out views of the beautiful city. Crossing the romantic Ponte Pietra is another must-do romantic activity in the area.

Is Lyon or Verona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

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

Verona is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers rarely spend more than a day or two in town, but there are hostels in the area that offer cheap accommodation.

Is Lyon or Verona Better for Students?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

Verona is a good city to visit for students. The city offers a more authentic Italian experience than some of the more popular tourist and study abroad destinations in Italy.

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

Lyon is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Visitors in Lyon can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Verona has a few public transit options. ATV operates buses through the city.

Is Lyon or Verona a more walkable city?

Lyon and Verona both are very good 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.

Verona is a very walkable destination. It's a compact city that's easy to explore on foot. Many locals get around by walking or biking.

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

Should I spend more time in Verona or Lyon?

How long in Lyon or Verona?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lyon and Verona. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than in Verona. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Lyon, and 1-3 days is enough time in Verona.

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

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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Verona. 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 Verona?

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.

Verona 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 Verona?

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 museums and nightlife around the stunning destination of Verona. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lyon or Verona?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic 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 stunning city of Verona 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Lyon or Verona?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Verona. When comparing the sizes of Lyon and Verona, 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 Verona?

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 Verona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lyon as well as Verona. Many visitors come to Lyon in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Verona for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Lyon is around the same temperature as Verona in the summer. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Verona fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Verona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In the summer, Lyon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Verona. Lyon gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Verona receives 286 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Verona. Lyon gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Verona receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Verona in the Autumn?

Both Verona and Lyon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Verona because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Lyon is around the same temperature as Verona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lyon in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Verona averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Lyon usually receives less sunshine than Verona during autumn. Lyon gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Verona receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lyon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Verona. Lyon gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Verona receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lyon or Verona in the Winter?

Both Verona and Lyon during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Lyon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Verona this time of year.

It's quite cold in Verona in the winter. The weather in Lyon can be very cold. In January, Lyon is generally much warmer than Verona. Daily temperatures in Lyon average around 4°C (39°F), and Verona fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Lyon often gets less sunshine than Verona. Lyon gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Verona receives 98 hours of full sun.

Lyon usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Verona. Lyon gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Verona receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lyon or Verona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lyon and Verona. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lyon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Verona for the natural beauty.

Lyon is around the same temperature as Verona in the spring. The daily temperature in Lyon averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Verona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Lyon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Verona during spring. Lyon gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Verona receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lyon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Verona. Lyon gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Verona receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Verona and Lyon