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

Should you visit Nuremberg 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 Nuremberg 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.

Nuremberg

Nuremberg is a historic, fascinating, and charming 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

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. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Nuremberg and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nuremberg or Lyon?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lyon than Nuremberg. While Nuremberg is larger than Lyon, Lyon has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nuremberg is well known for its quaint old town, beautiful architecture, and festive Christmas markets. 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 Nuremberg different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the first-rate sights and museums in both Nuremberg and Lyon.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Nuremberg are among the most recognizable in the world. It's well established on the tourist circuit and it's easy to see why. The history and charm, combined with interesting sights make it a top place to visit in Germany. Make sure you check out Kaiserburg, the Nuremberg Trials Memorial, and Germanisches National Museum.

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.

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

Lyon is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Nuremberg 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.

Nuremberg is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city is heavily influenced by Franconian cuisines and you'll find many sausages and lots of meat in the restaurants. In addition to Nuremberg sausage, you should definitely try the bretzel, leberkäsweggla (a meat and grain snack), and schäuferle (pig's shoulder meat).

Is Nuremberg or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Nuremberg and Lyon.

Nuremberg is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is diverse with clubs, bars, live music venues, and a number of festivals held in town. It's possible to have a relaxing night with a beer in a beer garden or a more lively evening at one of the many clubs around town.

Many people head to Lyon for the nightlife scene. 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 Nuremberg or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Both Nuremberg and Lyon have first-rate historic old towns worth visiting.

The historic old town of Nuremberg is revered around the world. The city's old town is filled with charm and it's easy to explore on foot. It's also large enough that you'll leave wishing you had more time to see it all.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Nuremberg or Lyon?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lyon and Nuremberg.

Nuremberg is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. In addition to its iconic Christmas markets, you'll find year round shopping areas, pedestrian shopping streets, and large shopping malls. Some of the best places to shop include Lorenzer Altstadt, Hauptmarkt, and Königstorpassage.

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 Nuremberg or Lyon Better for Families?

Both Nuremberg and Lyon are high quality to visit with kids.

Nuremberg is a very kid-friendly city. The town has a nice zoo and several museums that are great for kids like the DB Railway Museum, the Toy Museum, and the Nicolaus Copernicus Planetarium. Also make sure you visit the Imperial Castle which is a highlight of a trip to Nuremberg for kids and adults alike.

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.

Is Nuremberg or Lyon Better for Couples?

Both Nuremberg and Lyon are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Couples visit Nuremberg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It has history, beauty, charm, and personality. You'll find many romantic spots to walk hand in hand or enjoy a delicious meal in a cozy setting.

Lyon is a great city if you're traveling as 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 Nuremberg or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nuremberg and Lyon are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Nuremberg is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a favorite city of many travelers to Germany and backpackers are no exception. There are enough hostels to keep prices in check and wandering the old town is a free and rewarding experience.

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

Is Nuremberg or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is a world-class destination for students. Also, Nuremberg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Many students visit Nuremberg. It's a reasonably priced city with a number of activities and great transportation. Students appreciate the energy and large number of things to do.

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

Lyon is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Nuremberg is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Nuremberg offers a very effecient public transportation network. The city offers buses, trams, and an underground train system.

Is Nuremberg or Lyon a more walkable city?

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

Nuremberg is a very walkable city. The old town in particular is very walkable and 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 Nuremberg Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Nuremberg?

How long in Nuremberg or Lyon?

In either Nuremberg or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than Nuremberg because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Nuremberg, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

Families should spend more time in Lyon than Nuremberg. 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 Nuremberg. 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 Nuremberg 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 Nuremberg or Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Nuremberg. 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.

People visit Lyon because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nuremberg or Lyon?

Nuremberg is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the museums. 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.

People visit Lyon because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nuremberg or Lyon?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fascinating destination of Nuremberg. 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.

People visit Lyon because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Nuremberg or Lyon?

The fascinating city of Nuremberg 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.

Lyon is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Germany, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nuremberg or Lyon?

Nuremberg has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Nuremberg 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 Nuremberg 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 Nuremberg or Lyon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nuremberg and Lyon. Most visitors come to Nuremberg for 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.

Nuremberg is around the same temperature as Lyon in the summer. The daily temperature in Nuremberg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lyon this time of the year. In Nuremberg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nuremberg usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during summer. Nuremberg gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Nuremberg usually receives more rain than Lyon. Nuremberg gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nuremberg or Lyon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Nuremberg as well as Lyon. The autumn months attract visitors to Nuremberg because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. 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 the autumn, Nuremberg is cooler than Lyon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nuremberg in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Lyon averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Nuremberg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lyon. Nuremberg gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Nuremberg usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Nuremberg gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nuremberg or Lyon in the Winter?

Both Lyon and Nuremberg 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 Nuremberg 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 Nuremberg in the winter. In January, Nuremberg is generally much colder than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Nuremberg average around 1°C (34°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Nuremberg usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during winter. Nuremberg gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Nuremberg usually receives less rain than Lyon. Nuremberg gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nuremberg or Lyon in the Spring?

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

Nuremberg is cooler than Lyon in the spring. The daily temperature in Nuremberg averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Nuremberg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lyon. Nuremberg gets 166 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Nuremberg usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Nuremberg gets 48 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 Nuremberg