Should You Visit Lyon?

Is Lyon worth visiting?

Lyon is worth visiting for two to five days so that you can explore everything that the city has to offer. We first visited in the spring of 2022 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with its beautiful and charming old town and its many cute shops and restaurants. Lyon is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including Money's Best Places to Travel in 2023. 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.

Lyon, France, as viewed from the Saone River

Reasons to Visit Lyon

Museums
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.

Food
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.

Historical Sights
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.

Nightlife
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.

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 Lyon worth visiting in the Summer?

The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 22°C (71°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 28°C (82°F).

The peak season for travel is summer in Lyon, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.

The activities of the city are numerous, and this is a great time of year to explore all of them. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways, as well as budget-friendly things to do, there's something for everyone. Famous landmarks, museums, tours, and more are all available. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to wander through the museums, enjoy the city's energy, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can dance the night away.

Is Lyon worth visiting in the Autumn?

Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Lyon. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 14°C (56°F).

Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, browse around the old town, and browse through museums. Also, you can check out the quaint atmosphere and the big city activities.

Is Lyon worth visiting in the Winter?

This is the low season for travel in Lyon. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.

The weather in Lyon can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 4°C (39°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.

You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the historic old town. Also, you'll be able to take advantage of the local nightlife and soak up the big city atmosphere.

Is Lyon worth visiting in the Spring?

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 11°C (53°F).

Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Lyon, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.

The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, browse the museums, and appreciate the quaint setting. Also, you can experience the beautiful scenery, the historic old town, and the nightlife.

Related

What is Lyon most famous for?

Lyon is most famous for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. The city is very popular for its museums, food, and historical sights. It's also known for nightlife and shopping. It is often described as historic, beautiful, cultural, quaint, and authentic.

What is the most famous sight in Lyon?

The most popular sight in Lyon is The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Lyon on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière and other attractions here.

How touristy is Lyon? Is it a popular city to visit?

Lyon is a popular city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

• Segway Tour by ComhiC - 30 min Lyon Express: $32
• Great Bike Tour of Lyon - 3h: $52
• Beaujolais Wines & Castles - Private Tour - Half Day: $269
• Lyon Highlights & Secrets Walking Guided Tour (small group) including Funicular: $36
• 1 or 2-Hour Pedicab tour of Lyon: $27
• Beaujolais & Perouges Medieval Town (9:00 am to 5:15 pm - Small Group Tour Lyon: $136
• Segway Tour by ComhiC - 1h30 Historic: $53
• Lyon Big Traboules in Little City Stories from the Past Private Guided Tour: $43

How long should I spend in Lyon?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Lyon is two to five days. Since Lyon has a variety of activities such as museums, dining, and historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Lyon?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Lyon?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Lyon?.

More Things to Do in Lyon

• Is The Musée des Arts de la Marionnette Worth Visiting?
• Is The Confluences Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) Worth Visiting?
• Is The Cinema and Miniature Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is The Lyon Aquarium Worth Visiting?
• Is The Lyon Cathedral Worth Visiting?
• Is The Parc de la Tête d'Or Worth Visiting?
• Is The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière Worth Visiting?
• Is The Halles Paul Bocuse Food Market Worth Visiting?
• Is Théâtre Gallo Romain de Lyon-Fourvière Worth Visiting?
• Is The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon Worth Visiting?