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

Should you visit Nottingham 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 Nottingham 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.

Nottingham

Nottingham is a dynamic, livable, and cultural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Lyon

Lyon is a historic, beautiful, and cultural 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.

Nottingham and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nottingham or Lyon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon than Nottingham. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Lyon is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Nottingham attracts visitors for its music. Lyon is more touristy than Nottingham 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. Nottingham is famous for its authenticity and local cuisine.

How is Nottingham different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lyon is very popular for its museums and landmarks. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Nottingham offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find history and culture around town. Some of the notable landmarks include Wollaton Hall, the National Justice Museum, Nottingham Castle, and Old Market Square.

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

Lyon is very popular for its restaurant scene. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in Lyon have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Nottingham has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a diversity of restaurants around town that range from local fish and chips shops to international options. Pubs, cafes, and fine dining are all available in town.

Is Nottingham or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is well known for nightlife. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Nottingham has a few options to choose from. Head to the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, for a pint or check out one of the trendy clubs around town. The city is also a big sports town, so see if there are any sporting events going on while you're visiting.

Is Nottingham or Lyon Better for Music?

Nottingham is a nice place to visit for its live music scene. However, Lyon is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Nottingham active and fun. Many of the best music concerts in the UK make there way to Nottingham. Check out Rock City, which hosts all kinds of concerts.

Lyon is not a live music destination.

Is Nottingham or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is very popular for its historic old town. However, Nottingham does not have a historic old town.

Lyon has a world-famous historical area. 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.

Nottingham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Nottingham or Lyon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lyon and Nottingham.

Nottingham is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to the Lace Market, which is a popular shopping area. You can also wander around the center of town on foot and head to the pedestrian streets that are often lined with independent shops or international chains.

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.

Is Nottingham or Lyon Better for Families?

Lyon is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nottingham 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.

Nottingham offers lots of family activities. There are a number of parks and play areas that younger kids will enjoy. You can check out Wheelgate Park, White Post Farm, Rufford Abbey, or Sherwood Pines. Sundown Adventureland is a small theme park that's designed for younger kids under 10. If your kids are into museums, head to the Newark Air Museum.

Is Nottingham or Lyon Better for Couples?

Lyon is well known for romance. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Lyon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

Nottingham makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You'll find the typical date night activities around town like arcades, minigolf, and some interesting restaurants. There are also parks where you can enjoy a stroll in nature.

Is Nottingham or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is well known for backpackers. However, Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Nottingham or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is very popular for students. However, Nottingham 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.

Nottingham is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is very popular for its public transit. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Lyon has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

Public transit in Nottingham can get you to some places easily. There are buses and trams around town that connect into the rail network. The multi-operator system is organized by the Robin Hood Network.

Is Nottingham or Lyon a more walkable city?

Nottingham and Lyon both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Nottingham is very walkable. It is trying to transform itself into a pedestrian-friendly city, and you'll find some areas that are particularly walkable. The city center is very compact and generally walkable.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Nottingham?

How long in Nottingham or Lyon?

In either Nottingham or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than Nottingham because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Nottingham, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

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

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Nottingham. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

When visiting Lyon, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Nottingham or Lyon?

Nottingham 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.

When visiting Lyon, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Nottingham or Lyon?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Nottingham. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lyon, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Nottingham or Lyon?

The livable city of Nottingham offers shopping and museums. 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.

Lyon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Nottingham and Lyon, we can see that Nottingham 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 Nottingham Expensive? and Is Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nottingham or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Nottingham. When comparing the sizes of Nottingham 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 Nottingham 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 Nottingham or Lyon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nottingham and Lyon. Most visitors come to Nottingham for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Lyon because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nottingham is cooler than Lyon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nottingham in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Lyon averages at about 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. Nottingham usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during summer. Nottingham gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nottingham usually receives less rain than Lyon. Nottingham gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nottingham or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nottingham as well as Lyon. The autumn months attract visitors to Nottingham because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Additionally, 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 October, Nottingham is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Nottingham average around 11°C (52°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Nottingham often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Nottingham gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Nottingham usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nottingham or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Nottingham 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 Nottingham 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. It's quite cold in Nottingham in the winter. Nottingham is around the same temperature as Lyon in the winter. The daily temperature in Nottingham averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Nottingham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lyon during winter. Nottingham gets 61 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nottingham usually receives less rain than Lyon. Nottingham gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nottingham or Lyon in the Spring?

Both Lyon and Nottingham during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Nottingham for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nottingham is cooler than Lyon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nottingham in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Lyon averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Nottingham often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Nottingham gets 151 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Nottingham usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Nottingham gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Nottingham