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

Should you visit Volos or Lyon?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Volos and Lyon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Volos

Volos is a vibrant, youthful, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Lyon

Lyon is a quaint, authentic, and historic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Volos and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volos or Lyon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lyon than Volos, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lyon is better known for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Volos is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Lyon is more touristy than Volos and is popular for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Also, Lyon is famous for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Volos is well known for its vibrant seaside setting and its access to nearby natural beauty.

How is Volos different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lyon is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, Volos is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Volos offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in town including the Archaeological Museum of Volos.

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

Lyon is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Lyon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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 Volos is an experience not to be missed. Greece cuisine is very regional specific, and this area has its own dishes that are very different from elsewhere in the country. Deep fried kolitsianoi (sea anemone), boubari (local sausage), and spetzofai (sausage, tomato, and peppers) are just some of the unique dishes in the area.

Is Volos or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

The excellent nightlife scene is relatively similar in Volos and Lyon.

Volos has a large number of nightlife venues. The universities around town keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are a number of bars and clubs that are fun throughout the year.

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.

Is Volos or Lyon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Volos has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some snorkeling and dive shops in town that offer day trips.

Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Volos or Lyon Better for Beaches?

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

You'll have a great beach vacation in Volos. If you're willing to travel out of town, this region has some of the best beaches in Greece. The summers are cooler than other parts of the country and the winters are milder, so this is both a beautiful and a comfortable place to explore.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Volos or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Volos does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Lyon is revered around 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.

Volos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Volos or Lyon?

Lyon is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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 Volos to go shopping. There are shopping malls and shopping centers around town that have a variety of retail options including clothing, jewelry, and home goods.

Is Volos or Lyon Better for Families?

Lyon is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Volos. If your kids are adventurous, they'll enjoy horseback riding or exploring the area's beaches. There's also the Archaeological Museum of Volos and Agios Konstantinos Park.

Is Volos or Lyon Better for Couples?

Lyon is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Volos is a good city for couples to visit. There are gardens and outdoor activities that couples can enjoy. There are also museums and beaches.

Is Volos or Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Volos is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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

Volos is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination and you won't find that many hostels in the area.

Is Volos or Lyon Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over the world to visit 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.

Volos is popular with students. You'll find several universities in town. The port city also offers access to different parts of the country.

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

Lyon is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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.

You'll find some public transit in Volos, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a bus system that travels around town.

Is Volos or Lyon a more walkable city?

Volos and Lyon are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Volos is a very walkable city. The city is flat and there's a historic district that you can explore 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 Volos Worth Visiting? and Is Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Volos?

How long in Volos or Lyon?

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

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

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Volos. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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.

A weekend in Volos or Lyon?

Volos is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

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.

Five days in Volos or Lyon?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the authentic destination of Volos. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

A week in Volos or Lyon?

The youthful city of Volos offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best 10-Day Tours from Athens, 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 Volos and Lyon, we can see that Lyon is more expensive. And not only is Volos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Volos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Volos 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 Volos.

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

Which is Bigger, Volos or Lyon?

Volos has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Lyon. When comparing the sizes of Volos 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 Volos or Lyon?

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 Volos or Lyon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Volos as well as Lyon. The beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Volos this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Volos is a little warmer than Lyon in the summer. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Volos this time of the year. In the summer, Volos often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Volos gets 330 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. Volos gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Lyon in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Volos is a little warmer than Lyon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Volos in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Lyon averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Volos usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Volos gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Volos usually receives less rain than Lyon. Volos gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Volos or Lyon in the Winter?

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

Lyon can be very cold during winter. In January, Volos is generally much warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 6°C (42°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Volos often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Volos gets 112 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in January than Lyon. Volos gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Lyon in the Spring?

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

Volos is a little warmer than Lyon in the spring. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In Volos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Volos usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during spring. Volos gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Volos usually receives less rain than Lyon. Volos gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Volos