After living in Paris for five months, I finally made my way down south to check out the city of Lyon. And to say I was impressed… was an understatement. I wasn’t quite sure to expect when it came to Lyon, it is known as the “food capital of France” so of course, I was expecting big things from the restaurant industry (and yes, they delivered). But I wasn’t expecting the charming cobblestone streets with multi-colored buildings everywhere I looked. Or the beautiful bridges across both the Saône and Rhône Rivers. Or the ease of renting a bike and exploring the city. Truly, Lyon blew me away and I can’t wait to go back and explore more. This is the best 2 day itinerary for visiting Lyon – where to stay, how to get to Lyon, and more.
If you’re traveling to France, don’t miss…
Day 1 in Lyon: Exploring Lyon & the Bouchons
On your first day in Lyon, spend time exploring Lyon and take your time in Lyon’s delicious “bouchons”. A bouchon is a traditional Lyonnaise restaurant. And because Lyon is considered the food capital of France, I would highly recommend perhaps breaking free of your comfort zone as you spend time in traditional restaurants trying traditional Lyonnaise dishes like quenelle, andouillette, cervelle de canut, and more.
Spending the Morning in Lyon
Start your first day in Lyon at Mill Factory Cafe (closed on Monday) where you can get a coffee and delicious breakfast pastry. From breakfast, cross the Saône River to explore Lyon’s first arrondissement – an area that felt to be very local while maintaining its charm. Here you’ll find a cool boutique shop – Blitz – where you can get cool gifts and souvenirs.
If the weather isn’t great or you want to visit an art museum, the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon is just about a five minute walk from the first arrondissement.
Spending the Afternoon in Lyon
In the afternoon, head to lunch at a traditional Lyonnaise bouchon – Au Petit Bouchon Chez Georges (closed on Saturday and Sunday) or Le Garet (closed on Saturday and Sunday). For either of these restaurants – you will need to make a reservation ahead of time. Another restaurant I’d recommend near both Au Petit Bouchon Chez Georges and Le Garet is La Grenade (closed Sunday-Tuesday). La Grenade is not a traditional bouchon, but I was so impressed with the food that I would highly recommend it.
After lunch, walk off your meal by exploring central Lyon – the area between the Saône and Rhône Rivers. You’ll want to stroll down Rue Mercière where you’ll see tons of ourdoor cafes, bouchons, and be near other major sites in Lyon like Place Bellecour and Palais de la Bourse de Lyon.
Spending the Evening in Lyon
For dinner, I would recommend making reservations at Le Poêlon d’Or (closed on Sunday and Monday) and heading for cocktails at Sauvage (closed on Sunday) beforehand.
Day 2 in Lyon: Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière to Parc de la Tête d’Or
On your second day in Lyon, I would highly recommend renting an electric bike to cover a majority of the city from the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière (at the top of the hill) on the Saône side to Parc de la Tête d’Or on the Rhône side.
Spending the Morning in Lyon
Head to ComhiC in old Lyon where you can rent an electric bike for the day. The shop opens at 0930 and I would recommend heading there upon opening to ensure a bike rental is available. (In my experience, you did not need to reserve a bike ahead of time). For 4+ hours of rental, the cost is €35.
Start by taking your electric bike up to the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière which has incredible views of the city of Lyon and entrance to the basilica is free. If you’re interested in archeology, you can also visit the Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière, walking distance from the basilica.
Spending the Afternoon in Lyon
When you’re done exploring the basilica, head back down to Vieux Lyon (old town) and stop for lunch at Fiston – a traditional Lyonnaise bouchon. After lunch, spend time walking around old town and exploring the winding cobblestone streets. If you’re at all interested in the history of Lyon, you could stop in the Musée d’Histoire de Lyon (although I found it to be a bit underwhelming).
After you’ve spent time in old Lyon, ride your bike across the city to Parc de la Tête d’Or. This is a beautiful park in Lyon’s 6th arrondissement and is the largest park in the city. Not only is there tons of green space to relax in, but there’s also a lake where you can rent a boat, there’s a zoo you can visit, and more.
Before returning your bikes (by 1730 at the latest), head down the Rhône River and check out some of the boats that have been turned into bars.
Spending the Evening in Lyon
For the evening, start in the 1st arrondissement at Micro Sillon – Bar à Vin Lyon (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday). This is a really great local wine bar with an outdoor patio and delicious small bites. You could also stop for a cocktail at L’Antiquaire before heading to your final dinner at Bouchon Tupin (closed Sunday and Monday). To eat at Bouchon Tupin, make sure to reserve ahead of time!
Where to Stay in Lyon
When deciding where to stay in Lyon, I would recommend somewhere central like Vieux Lyon (or “old” Lyon) on the Saône River side, Presqu’île Lyon (or central Lyon) between the two rivers, or for a more local feel, the first arrondissement. Here are some hotels that I would recommend checking out…
- Hôtel de l’Abbaye Lyon
- InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu by IHG
- Villa Florentine
- Bayard Bellecour
- Le Royal Hotel Lyon – MGallery Collection
BOOK YOUR STAY IN LYON HERE!
How to Get to Lyon
There are several ways to get to Lyon from taking a train, to driving… Lyon even has an international airport! Here’s how to get to Lyon…
How to Get to Lyon by Train
If you want to take a train to Lyon, there are several train stations you can arrive to. I’ve found that the easiest way to book a train ticket in France is by using Omio and searching about 2-3 months in advance.
I traveled to Lyon from Paris Bercy and arrived to Lyon Part Dieu which was about a five hour train journey. However, you can take faster trains that can get you from Paris to Lyon in about two hours.
BOOK YOUR TRAIN TICKET TO LYON HERE!
How to Get to Lyon by Car
Of course, another way to get to Lyon is by driving. You don’t need a car in Lyon (the city is very walkable) but if you prefer to drive to Lyon, I recommend using Discover Cars to search through multiple companies and choose the best option for you. (Tip: if you do choose to have a car in Lyon, make sure that your hotel has parking available).
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RENT A CAR IN FRANCE HERE!
How to Get to Lyon by Plane
The international airport in Lyon is called Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) and is the third largest airport in France. Not only can you fly direct from Paris and several other European cities, but there are also flights from the United States from cities like New York, Miami, etc. Please know that there are no direct flights from the United States to Lyon.
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TO LYON HERE!
Best Time to Visit Lyon
The best time to visit Lyon is during the spring (April to June) and early fall (September to October), when the weather is mild and the city’s parks, riversides, and historic neighborhoods are perfect for exploring on foot. These shoulder seasons also mean fewer tourists and a more relaxed experience, especially when dining at one of Lyon’s many bouchons. Summer (July to August) is warmer and busier, with plenty of outdoor events and festivals, but some local businesses close for holiday. Winter (November to February) is quieter and cooler, though December brings the famous Fête des Lumières (Festival of Lights), which is meant to show gratitude to Mary, the mother of Jesus, on December 8th.
FAQ
Q: “Is 2 Days Enough for Lyon?”
- A: In my opinion, you’ll want a minimum of two days in Lyon but could easily spend 3-4 days exploring. In two days, you will be able to see a majority of Lyon – but you’ll definitely be busy!
Q: “Is Lyon a walkable city?”
- A: Yes, Lyon is a walkable city. In fact, almost everything recommend in this post can be reached on foot.
Q: “What area of Lyon is best to stay in?”
- A: In my opinion, the best areas in Lyon are central Lyon – Presqu’île Lyon – and old Lyon – Vieux Lyon.
Q: “What is Lyon most famous for?”
- A: Lyon is most as being the food capital of France. Its traditional bouchons continue to serve local dishes, plus one of the most famous chefs in France – Paul Bucose – is from Lyon. Mr. Bucose had a huge culinary impact in both France and the world.
France Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting France
TRAVELING THROUGH FRANCE
- The easiest way to book train tickets in France is through Omio
- To book a flight to France, I recommend a large booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options
- For car rentals in France, I recommend Discover Cars
- If you want an English speaking driver waiting to pick you up at the airport, use Welcome Pickups
- I highly recommend travel insurance when traveling through France – I use and recommend SafetyWing(read why here and here)
- If you need a SIM card, aloSIM for an easy and affordable e-SIM – use code “KYLEE5” for a 5% discount
ACCOMODATION IN FRANCE
- To easiest way to book hotels in France is through a large booking platform
TOURS IN FRANCE
- For tours and activities in France, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
- For food tours in France, I recommend Devour Tours
- For walking tours in France, I recommend Take Walks
- For tickets to museums and attractions, I recommend Tiqets
WHAT TO BRING TO FRANCE
- Don’t forget a France guide book to help plan your travels
- You’ll need a travel plug adapter (France uses type C)
- My favorite luggage is Calpak
- My favorite travel backpack is Nordace
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste
- I use this eye mask on the plane to help get some shut eye and help with jet lag
- I love traveling with ARMRA Colostrum travel sticks to support my immune system (use code “KYLEENELSON” for 15% off)
If you can’t tell by this post, I truly loved my time in Lyon. I sincerely hope that this post has inspired you to visit and also helped you plan your visit. If you have any questions about Lyon or visiting France in general, let me know in a comment below!
If you’re looking for more travel itineraries through France, don’t miss…
- How to Spend 4 Days in Paris
- How to Spend One Day in Dijon
- One Day in Colmar – The Perfect Itinerary for France’s Fairytale Town
- The Perfect 4 Day Normandy Road Trip Itinerary
- Complete Guide to Visiting Rouen, France
- A Weekend Trip to Mont Saint-Michel
- Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting? A Complete Bordeaux Travel Guide
For more information on things to see and do in Lyon, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinfrance” or under my highlights for “Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “France” highlight
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Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
