3 Days in Lyon: Where to Stay, Eat & What to Do

I finally had a chance to visit Lyon recently, and it was a really lovely city. This was the first leg of my trip to France, and I was so excited to explore it. Heading to Paris afterward? I’ve got you. Here’s my Paris travel guide.

Lyon is known as the food capital of France, and honestly, it lives up to the hype. Think cozy traditional bistros, a huge covered market, and the kind of hearty French cooking that makes you want to skip your plans and order dessert. But it’s not only about eating. The city is big on art and history too, with a gorgeous old town, Roman ruins up on the hill, and a ton of beautiful architecture to wander past.

It also feels calmer and easier to handle than Paris, which makes it a great way to ease into a France trip. So grab a coffee, and let me tell you everything I’d tell you if we were sitting across from each other.

Where to stay in Lyon: the 2nd arrondissement

If it’s your first time in Lyon, stay in the 2nd arrondissement (the Presqu’île, the “almost island” between the two rivers). It’s central, you can walk to pretty much everything, and the metro is right there when your feet need a break. It’s also home to Place Bellecour, the big main square, so you’re never far from a good coffee or a good dinner.

Here are the hotels I’d look at, in every budget:

Budget

• Ibis Lyon Centre Perrache: simple, clean, and right by the Perrache train station, which is handy if you’re arriving by rail.
• Hôtel Vaubecour: a low-cost pick that still keeps you in the heart of the Presqu’île.

Mid-range

• Hôtel des Artistes: sits on a charming square and has real character for the price.
• Mercure Lyon Centre Beaux-Arts: a stylish stay in a 19th-century building, in a great spot for first-timers.

Luxury

• Sofitel Lyon Bellecour: steps from Place Bellecour, with a rooftop bar that has gorgeous views of the city.
• InterContinental Lyon – Hôtel Dieu: a grand heritage building that feels very “treat yourself.”

Prices swing a lot depending on the season, so book early if you’re traveling in summer or during a big event weekend.

Things to do in Lyon

Lyon is the kind of city where you can fill your days just by wandering, and that’s honestly the best way to start.

• Walk around the city center and Old Town (Vieux Lyon). Cobbled streets, tons of restaurants, and little shops everywhere. Give yourself time to get lost here.

• Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. It sits high on the hill above the city, so you get the view and a stunning church in one stop. (Tip: you can take the funicular up instead of climbing.)
• Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon. Right by the basilica on the Fourvière hill, it’s a great look at the city’s Roman roots, and it’s a nice pairing with the basilica visit. (affiliate link for tickets)
• Cathedral Saint-Jean. A beautiful Gothic cathedral in the Old Town, easy to fit in while you’re already wandering through Vieux Lyon.

And if you have a little extra time, here are a few more I’d add to your list:

• Explore the traboules. These are the hidden passageways that cut through buildings in Vieux Lyon and the Croix-Rousse neighborhood. They feel like a secret you’re in on.
• Visit Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. This is the city’s famous indoor food market, so it’s perfect for a snack stop while you’re on your food-capital mission.
• Musée des Beaux-Arts. If you want to lean into the art side of Lyon, this is the big fine arts museum in town. (affiliate link for tickets)

Activities to book in Lyon

What I did: a half-day wine tasting in the Northern Rhône Valley

This was one of my favorite parts of the trip. The Northern Rhône is one of France’s best-known wine regions, famous for its Syrah reds and Viognier whites, and it’s close enough to Lyon that you can do it in half a day. That’s what I loved about this tour: you still get to see and taste a good amount without giving up your whole day.

I booked with Sentiers Œnotourisme, and it’s a small business, so if you’re looking for a wine tour, I’d love for you to consider this one. She also offers full-day tours, other regions, and both private and shared options, so there’s something for every kind of trip.

Want to see how it went? Here’s my experience reel on Instagram.

Other things I’d book

• A walking tour. It’s the easiest way to get to know the city in your first few hours, and you’ll come away with a list of places to go back to.

• A food tour. Lyon is known for its food, and a guided tasting is a great way to discover dishes you might not order on your own.
  • Here are some I recommend: Secret Food Tours in Lyon, Old Town Food Tour & Wine, Lyon Sunset Food & Wine Tour

Must-try restaurants in Lyon (French food)

You can’t come to Lyon and not eat well, so here are my must-try spots for French food:

• Daniel et Denise. Reservations are needed here, so book ahead and don’t leave it to the last minute. (reservation link, if you use one)
• Chez Grand-Mère. A classic Lyon stop for hearty French cooking.
• Bistrot du Palais. Really nice French food! This was a favorite. We shared their duck, fish, and flan – everything was great quality, highly recommend!

If you want to try the local classics while you’re there, look out for Lyon specialties like quenelles, the creamy fish dumplings, and Saint-Marcellin, a soft local cheese. Most of the traditional bistros here are called bouchons, and they’re the perfect place to try them.

How many days in Lyon, and getting to Paris

How long to stay: 3 days is enough. That’s plenty of time to see the main sights, take a wine tour, and eat your way through the city without feeling rushed.

Getting from Lyon to Paris: You can absolutely take the train – compare prices and book your tickets through Omio. But we decided to go with a private transfer instead, and we booked with my favorite company, Daytrip. They offer seamless, luxury transfers, and it’s such a nice option if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage or want to shape the trip around your own plans.

We added a pit stop in Beaune on the way, which let us see a bit more of France before our final stop in Paris. If you like the idea of turning a travel day into part of the adventure, this is such a fun way to do it.

Heading to Paris next? Check out my Paris Travel Guide, so you’re ready for the last stop on the trip.

Want even more France? If the south is calling your name, my South of France travel guide covers Nice, Cannes, Antibes, and Eze. And if you want to skip the crowds, my 7 underrated day trips from Cannes are right up your alley.

Have you been to Lyon, or is it on your list? Tell me in the comments, and I’d love to hear where you’d eat first!