A Travel Price Comparison for France Nice vs. Lyon for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Nice or Lyon?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nice and Lyon can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Nice

Nice is a trendy, chic, and glamourous seaside destination. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Lyon

Lyon is a historic, beautiful, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. 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 nightlife, food, and shopping.

Nice and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Lyon?

You'll generally find more things to do in Lyon than Nice. Lyon is bigger than Nice, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Lyon is better known for its museums, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Nice is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Nice is more touristy than Lyon and is known for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. 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.

How is Nice different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lyon and Nice. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nice or Lyon?

Lyon is renowned for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Lyon are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at first-rate restaurants in both Nice and Lyon.

Many restaurants in Nice have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

Eat your way through Lyon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Nice or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination 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.

Nice has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice or Lyon Better for Resorts?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for its resorts. However, Lyon is not a resort destination.

Nice offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Lyon is not a resort destination.

Is Nice or Lyon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Nice has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nice or Lyon Better for Beaches?

Nice is a well-known place for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Nice. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Nice or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is renowned for its old town. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its historic old town charm.

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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Nice. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

Is the Shopping Better in Nice or Lyon?

Both Nice and Lyon are high quality shopping destinations.

Nice is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

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 Nice or Lyon Better for Families?

Lyon is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Nice is a family-friendly seaside destination. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Is Nice or Lyon Better for Couples?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Lyon is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Nice has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

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 Nice or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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 backpackers visit Nice. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

Is Nice or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is renowned for students. However, Nice is not popular with students.

Lyon is a very popular city 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.

Nice is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is renowned for its public transit. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Lyon has a great public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Nice offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are both buses and trams.

Is Nice or Lyon a more walkable city?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination 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 Nice on foot. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Nice?

How long in Nice or Lyon?

In either Nice or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. You can fill a similar amount of time in either place. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Nice. 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.

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.

A weekend in Nice or Lyon?

Nice is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

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.

Five days in Nice or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the opulent destination of Nice. This seaside destination 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.

Lyon is a beautiful 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.

A week in Nice or Lyon?

The opulent seaside destination of Nice 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 quaint 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, and The Best River Cruises in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Nice and Lyon, we can see that Nice is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Nice or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Nice and Lyon, 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 Nice or Lyon?

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 Nice or Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Nice are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Nice is around the same temperature as Lyon in the summer. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In July, Nice usually receives less rain than Lyon. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nice or Lyon in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Nice is a little warmer than Lyon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nice in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Lyon averages at about 14°C (56°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nice. Nice usually gets more rain in October than Lyon. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Lyon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and Lyon. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Nice this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lyon. In January, Nice is generally much warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 9°C (48°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In January, Nice usually receives more rain than Lyon. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nice or Lyon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nice as well as Lyon. Many travelers come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Nice is a little warmer than Lyon in the spring. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

Nice usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Lyon. Nice gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Nice