18 Best Lyon Tourist Spots And Things to do in Lyon (Travel Guide)

Last updated on January 14th, 2024 at 10:11 pm

There are many things to do in Lyon and It will not one of the most touristic places in France like Paris and Nice.

We will write all Lyon tourist spots from beautiful churches and cathedrals in old towns to day trips that you can visit in the countryside in Lyon. Keep reading below our Lyon travel guide. Read here how to get from Lyon airport to city center. and Lyon Airport sim card

Read here things to do in Chambery, things to do in Toulouse, our things to do in Grenoble, our things to do in Avignon and things to do in Montpellier.

Read here our budget travel in France and our favorite Instagrammable places in Paris

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

LYON TRAVEL GUIDE- HOW TO GET TO LYON

There are daily buses and trains going to Lyon from the main of the places around. I went during my road trip from Grenoble to Lyon is 1 hour far from and 5-6 hours driving from North Spain depending where you are coming from.

Read here how to get from Geneva Airport to Lyon

DAILY BUDGET TRAVEL IN LYON

There are many ways to explore Lyon. If you want to explore the city without burning a hole in your pocket. You can go walking around Lyon or getting public transportation for around 2€ a single bus ticket or tramway. You can go by bicycle too and keep reading our Lyon travel guide below.

There are meals in Lyon at local restaurants for as low as €10-15. Those who want to eat something a bit fancier can have a meal at a mid-range restaurant for around €20-40 or even less if you have someone to split the bill with. Dinner at a top restaurant in Lyon can go for €70-150.

There are all sorts of accommodations in Lyon. From hostels and B&Bs to apartments and hotels, you’re sure to find one that fits your budget. For example, staying at a hostel or booking a dorm bed goes for around €25-35. A room at a mid-range hotel or a nice apartment can cost around €50-150.

Luxury hotels in Lyon can charge €200 and higher. If you want to stay somewhere comfortable and safe minus the cost, you can always try AirBnB in Lyon. There are entire apartments that go for as low as €25.

Click here to book your accommodation in Lyon with Agoda and Booking.

THINGS TO DO IN LYON AND LYON TOURIST SPOTS

1. Walking around Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon)

Walking around Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) is really nice and it was one of my favorite things to do in Lyon. You will see people bars and restaurants. It’s big and you can spend a few hours while visiting church, cathedrals and other places.

2. Colline Croix-Rousse

Colline Croix-Rousse was one of my favorite Lyon tourist spots. Nice walk going up from Old Lyon to get the views in a beautiful neighborhood with bars and restaurants. The walk can take 15-20 minutes from Hotel de Ville to the view point.

3. Cathédrale Saint-Jean Baptiste (Lyon Cathedral)

Cathédrale Saint-Jean Baptiste also called Lyon Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in Place Saint-Jean. Cathédrale Saint-Jean Baptiste is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and its seat of the Archbishop of Lyon. You will find it easily in the list of things to do in Lyon.

4. Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere

Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere was built between 1872 and 1884 and you can see as a reference walking from the city center on the top of the mountain. It was quiet and not many people around this area. The views from the top are so impressive.

5. Views Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere

It was so worth it and one of my favorite things to do in Lyon to climb and check the views from Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere. It will take around 30 minutes if you go walking as I did.

6. Hotel de Ville Lyon

Hotel de Ville is one of the largest historic buildings in the city from 1886. The hotel is located in Old Lyon in a beautiful square next to the Fountain Hotel de Ville, Musée des Beaux-Arts and also walking distance from the Opera. It’s one of the Lyon tourist spots that you can’t miss.

7. Fountain Hotel de Ville Square Lyon (Fontaine Bartholdi)

Fountain Hotel de Ville Square Lyon also called Fontaine Bartholdi was sculpted by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and realized in 1889 by Gaget & Gautier. Fontaine Bartholdi is located next to Hotel de Ville and Musée des Beaux Arts. It’s a very cheerful place to walk around.

8. Tower Eiffel in Lyon (Métallique Tower of Fourvière)

Tower Eiffel in Lyon also called Métallique Tower of Fourvière was built between 1892 and 1894 and it is the highest building in Lyon. Métallique Tower of Fourvière is a steel framework tower which is similar to the Eiffel Tower. You will see when walking around the River in city center.

9. Opera National in Lyon

Opéra National de Lyon was based in 1831 as a theater that was modernized and architecturally transformed in 1993. Opera National is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and it’s located around the corner from Hotel de Ville Square.

MORE THINGS TO DO IN LYON AND LYON TOURIST SPOTS

10. Walking around Traboules in Lyon

Traboules in Lyon are a type of secret-covered passages. They were used by silk manufacturers and other merchants to transport their products. You can use them as a shortcut to walk around city center since they are opened at day time and usually closed at night.

11. Walking around Quartier Saint-Jean

Walking around Quartier Saint-Jean is a nice area next to the Cathedral to go thru Old Lyon. You can go for bars and restaurants, discovering the Traboules on the way to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere to get the amazing views of the city.

12. Presqu’ile District

Presqu’ile District is full of bars, restaurants and it’s ideal for shopping, A great place to walk around from Hotel de Ville to the confluence of Rhone River. You will see many locals since is one of the favorite things to do in Lyon.

13. Jardin du Rosaire

Jardin du Rosaire is a great place to walk around near Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourviere and you will get amazing views of the city of Lyon. If you like green areas where to relax is one of the things to do in Lyon that you can’t miss it.

14. Pont Bonaparte

Pont Bonaparte is one of the most popular things to do in Lyon. It’s nice to walk around the Rhone River and you will see people cycling and exercising around.

15. Local Markets in Lyon

Local Markets in Lyon are around city center and you will see mostly fresh products like fruits and vegetables. You can also buy some traditional food for an affordable price.

16. Musée des Beaux Arts

Musée des Beaux Arts is located next to Hotel de Ville and National Opera. Musée des Beaux Arts was a former Benedictine convent active during the 17th and 18th centuries and it was restored between 1988 and 1998. Musée des Beaux Arts is one of the largest art museums in France.

17. Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine

Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine was the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon previously and the Antiquarium. Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine was transferred to a new building designed by Bernard Zehrfuss and opened in 1975 near the city’s Roman Theatre and odeon located in Fourvière area.

Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine has no entrance fee is only 3€ for guided visits.

18. Musée des Tissus et des Arts Décoratifs

Musée des Tissus et des Arts Décoratifs also called The Textile Arts Museum was founded in 1864. Musée des Tissus et des Arts Décoratifs will show textiles collection and the decorative arts collection.

Musée des Tissus et des Arts Décoratifs entrance fee is 14€ and the opening schedule is from Tuesdays to Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm. And on Thursdays opening until 9 pm for temporary exhibitions.

Feel free to use our links for discounts. Using our links will help us to continue with the maintenance of the website and it will not cost you anything. Thanks for the love guys 

Happy Travels!