Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Lyon?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Lyon?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Lyon, France? Most people spend two to five days in Lyon during their visit. After all, the authentic city will let you tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, admire the quaint setting, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant.
Lyon is a beautiful city with a long history. It has one of Europe's best old towns, which climbs the hills above the River Saône and is filled with character. There are many traditional restaurants where you can try the local cuisine. The city is also known for its Marionette puppets and there is a museum as well as places to watch a production.
Do you have one or two days to visit Lyon? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Lyon?
One day is usually not enough time to experience the authentic city of Lyon, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, admire the quaint setting, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
How to spend a day in Lyon
Lyon is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Lyon Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour ($7)
The culinary scene in Lyon is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Secret Food Tours Lyon w/ Private Tour Option ($109)
- Beaujolais Wine Tasting Day Tour from Lyon ($164)
- Walking Cultural Food Tour in Vieux Lyon ($87)
Lyon is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. 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.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Lyon?
Lyon is a big city that is quite popular with tourists. A weekend is probably not enough. You'd feel rushed to see the main attractions of Lyon such as the great museums and landmarks along with the terrific charming old town. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more than just a 2 day trip. Most travelers schedule two to five days to fully experience this city. Nevertheless, if a weekend is all you can spare, we have some suggestions for your weekend getaway to Lyon below.
Lyon, France, as viewed from the Saone River
How to spend 2 days in Lyon
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Lyon will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Embark on an aperitif journey through the old town ($70)
- Lyon UNESCO: Private walking tour ($148)
- Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch ($93)
Lyon is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The city climbs beautifully into the hills and offers spectacular views and charming character.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Lyon UNESCO: Private walking tour ($148)
- Lyon Old District : Private Walking Tour ($208)
- Private Guided Walking Tour of Lyon Traboules ($137)
The public transit in Lyon is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Lyon, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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