Is Lyon Worth Visiting in 2024? Top Things to Do and Reasons to Visit
Is Lyon worth visiting?
In short, yes Lyon is worth visiting! Lyon only came onto my radar because my graduate studies took me there for a consulting engagement.
That’s when I learned all that this thriving city in France has to offer — from an extraordinary food scene to its dedication to combating climate change.
Lyon is a one-of-kind city that seems a bit neglected by tourists. But, those who do take the time to learn about and visit Lyon are in for a treat.
Planning a trip? Use my go-to resources:
- Accommodations: booking.com
- Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
- Tours & Excursions: Viator
- Flights: Skyscanner
- City Pass: Go City
Is Lyon Worth Visiting?
There are plenty of reasons why Lyon is worth visiting:
Lyon is the Gastronomic Capital of the World
There’s an old saying that goes something like this: if Paris is the heart of France, then Lyon is its stomach.
If you consider yourself a foodie, Lyon is absolutely worth visiting as the culinary capital of France. It has also been called the Gastronomic Capital of the World. Definitely something to experience for yourself.
There are several reasons why Lyon is so highly regarded as a foodie city. For one, it’s the home of Paul Bocuse who is a celebrated French chef. In totally the city has about 20 Michelin-starred restaurants.
Lyon’s location also contributes to its incredible food. The city is a central hub for agricultural produce which means fresh meat, dairy, seasonal vegetables, olive oil and wine.
Throughout the city, you can enjoy Lyonnaise cuisine at traditional Bouchons.
Focus on Sustainability
Lyon is one of the most sustainable cities in the world, and the 2019 recipient of Europe’s Capital of Smart Tourism designation.
I had an opportunity to experience, firsthand, the city’s passion for fighting climate change and creating a more sustainable future when I visited and had the opportunity to consult with the city of Lyon.
Lyon’s airport has been carbon-neutral since 2017, and many of the city’s hotels hold verified sustainability certifications. Truthfully, Lyon has been a pioneer of sustainability initiatives and has a continued commitment and thirst for continuing along this path.
If you’re interested in contributing to sustainable tourism, add Lyon to your destination wish list.
Great Public Transportation
As part of the city’s commitment to sustainability, Lyon has a fantastic public transportation system. You’ll find at least 4 metro lines, 6 tram lines, 2 funicular tracks and more than 100 bus routes.
The Lyon City Pass is the easiest way to get unlimited access to using all forms of Lyon’s public transportation. It also includes free entrance to 23 different museum, various shows, and discounts on shopping and activities.
🚉 Click Here to Get Your Lyon City Pass
Well Connected
Lyon has plenty to keep visitors busy in and of itself, but if you decide to visit elsewhere while you’re in the area you’ll find it easy to do so. Lyon is well connected to other cities in France, as well as Switzerland. I arrived in Lyon by bus from Lake Annecy.
You can travel between Lyon and Paris within a couple hours by train. While a bit of a longer journey, I even traveled by train from Lyon all the way to Lucerne, Switzerland.
Additional options include visits to Geneva, Avignon, Marseille, the Beaujolais wine route and more.
Diversity
Personally, as a woman of color, I experienced Lyon to be comfortably diverse. The fact that it is a big city and well connected means people of different ethnicities and economic backgrounds, etc live and work in Lyon.
However, everyone’s lived experience is different. As a South Asian woman, I personally felt comfortable in Lyon.
Mix of Old and New
A big part of Lyon’s charm is its mix of old and new. Lyon is a big city that somehow offers old town charm, likely due to this combination of spaces that feel old and new. When you’re in Lyon’s business district, you’re surrounded by sleek modern buildings.
When you’re in the Old Town, you experience the historic allure of Lyon’s colored buildings and cobblestone paths. It’s an opportunity to experience the best of both.
Less Touristy
Despite having plenty to offer and being one of the biggest cities in France, Lyon is often neglected by tourists. This means that those who do visit have a unique opportunity to enjoy this vibrant city.
Top 17 Best Things to do in Lyon
Ready to plan your trip? There are plenty of fun things to do in Lyon, from eating really well to shopping and taking in the sites. Add these 17 best things to do in Lyon to your itinerary now:
1. Eat at a Bouchon
There are 4,000+ restaurants in Lyon to choose from but what you really don’t want to miss is eating at a Bouchon. Bouchons are eateries where you can try traditional Lyonnaise cuisine.
The way to find an authentic Bouchon is to search here and to look for the ‘Les Bouchons Lyonnais’ sticker in the window of a restaurant.
2. Take a Guided Food Tour
A great way to get to know the city is through a guided food tour like this one. Not only do you get to sample local cuisine and avoid the tourist traps, this tour also takes you through Vieux Lyon, the city’s Old Town, with an informative guide.
Reviews rate this as one of the top food tours in the city. It spans 4 hours and you certainly won’t leave hungry!
🍴Click here to book the Vieux Lyon Food Tour
Another option, based on your dietary requirements, is this Vegan Food Tour.
3. Join a Local-Led Walking Tour
Taking a walking tour with a local guide is one of the fastest ways to get yourself oriented to a new city.
Learn about your present-day surroundings and the history of Lyon, with a focus on the aspects you’re most interested in, through this private and customizable walking tour.
4. Explore the Secret Passageways
One of the coolest things about Lyon is its traboules. These are essentially ‘secret passageways’ running through the Old Town. In the past, they were used for residents and merchants to move around more easily.
The best way to explore the traboules is with an experienced guide. When booking a walking tour, request that your guide take you through the traboules in Old town.
5. Wander Through the Old Town
Apart from a guided walking tour to help you learn all about the area, I strongly recommend you take some time to wander aimlessly through Old Town as well. Let yourself get a little lost around a few corners.
Pop into the different shops that seem to call to you. Take in the beauty of your surroundings on a purely aesthetic and senses-based level. After all, this is one of the best parts of visiting a new and unfamiliar place.
6. Go on a Boat Tour
I never miss an opportunity to take a sightseeing river cruise where it’s available and I suggest you don’t, either! Enjoy a relaxing boat ride along the river in Lyon to take in the city from a different vantage point.
This 2.5 hour lunch cruise includes a 3-course meal aboard a chic dining space.
In the mood for something more casual? Book this charcuterie and wine city cruise instead.
7. Enjoy a Show or Festival at the Roman Ruins
You might be surprised to learn that you can find Roman ruins in Lyon, but it’s just another clue into the city’s fascinating history. These days, you can visit the ruins by taking a funicular ride up a hill to reach them.
Visit during the day time to wander through, imagine the history and snap some picturesque photos. If you can, an even better way to experience these ruins is to attend a show.
The Amphitheater is used to this day for concerts, and for the Nuits de Fourvière Festival in June and July.
8. Take a Wine Pairing Class
When in Lyon, do not miss tasting as much wine as you can. A classier approach might be to actually learn about the wine as you sip it. This wine and cheese pairing class allows you to sample 7 wines while learning in-depth knowledge about the art of wine and pairing it well.
Or, to really immerse yourself in the wines from this region book this Northern Rhône Valley Day Tour with Wine Tasting.
9. Visit the Museums
Art, history, architecture, science — you name it and there is a museum for it in Lyon. You can visit many of them with your Lyon City Card, and the one I suggest is Musée Lumière.
Lyon is considered the birthplace of film, and a visit to this museum will help you understand why. If you don’t speak French, be sure to get an audio guide.
10. Indulge in a Praline Brioche
@globegazers Save for your #France trip! #praline #praluline #lyoneats #lyonfoodies #lyonguide #foodinfrance #foodietraveler #foodietravels #desitraveller #desi ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show
One of the best treats I tasted while in Lyon was a pink praline brioche. One of our professors brought it into class one day and I later ended up buying one of my own. It’s essentially a brioche with pink candied nuts mixed into it, and it is delicious.
They also offer a chocolate chip brioche, but the one to prioritize is the more unique (and in my opinion tastier) pink praline brioche. It is also known as ‘praluline’ and you can pick one up from La Maison Pralus.
11. Try Quenelle
Another Lyonnaise specialty to try, if you’re brave enough, is the quenelle. What is it? Quennelle is a fish dumpling. Essentially, it is creamed fish mixed with eggs for binding and sometimes breadcrumbs, shaped like an egg and topped off with a savory sauce.
I tried it while visiting Lyon and while it wasn’t my favorite dish, it was interesting to try and I’m glad I did. So, when you notice it on a menu in Lyon consider ordering this dish.
@globegazers Yay or nay? #quenelledelyon #quenelles #lyonnaise #lyonfrance #lyonfood #lyonfoodies #uniquefoods #foodiebucketlist #foodaroundtheworld #globalfoodtour #frenchdelicacies #frenchfoods ♬ som original – maju
12. See the Murals
Lyon is known for its many murals, more than 150. The city is somewhat like an outdoor art gallery, and you can enjoy exploring the town to admire the various murals all around.
Consult this guide to plan your mural walk.
13. Shop for Silk
Yet another reason Lyon is popular is because of its history as a silk manufacturer and role in the silk trade. To this day, silk is a top item to shop for in Lyon. When I visited, we even saw a silk worm in a case outside of a shop.
Some shops to explore if you’re interested in purchasing silk goods on your visit are: L’Atelier de Soirie, Brochier Soieries, Soierie Saint-Georges.
14. Stroll Through Parc de la Tête d’Or
Escape the buzz of city life for a while with a visit to the serene Parc de la Tête d’Or. There’s even a zoo onsite, popular throughout France. Still, it feels quiet in the park because it’s the largest park in Lyon with plenty of space.
If you really want to get to know this park well, there is a guided tour dedicated to teaching you about the park’s inhabitants and curiosities.
15. See the Festival of Lights
The Festival of Lights or Fete des luminaries takes place every December. This is a beautiful and worthwhile experience for anyone to partake in if you’re in Lyon in December.
16. Experience the Markets
Another great way to explore Lyon’s food scene is with a visit to local markets. Most notably, a visit to Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse for gourmet foods is a must.
St. Antoine Market is a beautiful outdoor food market to visit, where you’ll find French cuisine as well as more global options.
17. Admire Stunning City Views
Lyon offers plenty of stunning views from various viewpoints around the city. Venture to Jardin des Curiosités or Jardin des Plantes around sunset for gorgeous views.
Is Lyon Worth Visiting? FAQ
As you decide, is Lyon worth visiting?, here are some frequently asked questions to consider as well.
How many days in Lyon is enough?
Plan to spend at least 3 days in Lyon to really allow yourself to take it all in. This will offer you enough time to enjoy the major sites and have some time to stroll through the city.
Of course, as a lover of slow travel I always recommend more time so that your trip doesn’t feel rushed. A full week would give you some more breathing room in your itinerary, but if that’s not possible I would aim for three days in Lyon.
What is special about Lyon, France?
This city has multiple claims to fame: a world-renowned food scene, a long-held commitment to sustainability, its status as the birthplace of cinema and its historic significance to the silk trade.
Is Lyon, France safe?
Yes, as safe as any other big city if not more so. I felt safe all around Lyon, however I was with a group or at least one other friend at all times since I was there with my graduate school program.
As a frequent solo traveler though, I would say Lyon is a city I’d feel quite comfortable in alone as well. The biggest risk to watch out for is pickpockets. Consult my travel resources page LINK for my top safety items to travel with.
Is Lyon expensive to visit?
It’s all relative. Compared to Paris, Lyon is considered 30-40% more affordable. Of course, if you plan to visit some of the finer dining establishments you should factor that into your budget.
Overall, you’re likely to find fairly average price points in Lyon (varies depending on where you’re coming from).
Best Areas to Stay in Lyon, France
There are many great options of hotels in Lyon, and the best areas to stay in for convenience are La Presqu’lle (city center) or Vieux Lyon (Old Town).
Both of these areas are centrally located and provide a good base for easily getting around to top sites. Here are some specific hotel recommendations to consider based on your budget:
✅ Budget: Republik Hotel
For an affordable stay with the perfect location you can’t beat Republik Hotel. The Bellacour Metro Station is nearby, ensuring you’re well connected and can get around the city with ease.
You’ll find many shopping and dining options around this hotel, and enjoy a continental breakfast each morning.
Guests love the central location, and say that while the rooms are small they are very clean and comfortable.
🏨 Book your stay at Republik Hotel
✅ Mid-Range: Villa Florentine
Stay in the heart of Old Lyon when you book a room at Villa Florentine. Amenities include a heated pool, fitness center, sauna and more. Enjoy the onsite restaurant, Les Terrasses de Lyon, where you can eat at the outdoor terrace.
Guests love the location, the views and the kindness of staff at Villa Florentine.
🏨 Book your stay at Villa Florentine
✅ Luxury: Villa Maïa
A 10-minute walk from Old town, atop Fourvière Hill is Villa Maïa.
This luxury property offers an on-site bar, a partnership with nearby Michelin-starred restaurant, daily buffet or continental breakfast, and private bathrooms made entirely out of Carrara marble.
Guests adore the on-site garden, breathtaking views of the city from the hilltop, top-notch concierge services, spa and large pool.
Final Verdict: Is Lyon Worth Visiting?
Ultimately, yes, Lyon is worth visiting and you should absolutely add it to your travel plans. The city is overflowing with cultural, historic, foodie and sustainable experiences that shouldn’t be missed.
Looking for additional cities in France worth visiting? Check out my guide to Strasbourg, France.
