All citiesLyon Things to do and walking itinerary
France Lyon travel guide
31 things to do in Lyon, where to stay, airport transfers, 6 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Lyon
- Grand Hôtel-Dieu — The domed historic hospital on the Rhône, its courtyards and galleries open to all since restoration. (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Lugdunum — ancient Roman city on the site of modern Lyon, France (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon — art museum in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Lyon Cathedral — Roman Catholic cathedral in Lyon, France, and the seat of the Archbishop of Lyon (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière — building in Lyon, France (1872-) (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Place Bellecour — square in Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France (visit ≈ 15 min)
- amphitheater of Lyon — Roman amphitheatre in France (visit ≈ 60 min)
- parc de la Tête d'Or — urban park in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Metallic tower of Fourvière — landmark in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Opéra Nouvel — opera house in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 20 min)
- place des Terreaux — public square located in the centre of Lyon, France (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Église Saint-Nizier — church of the city of Lyon, France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Church of Saint-Bruno des Chartreux — church in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay — church in Ainay, Lyon, France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Grande mosquée de Lyon — mosque in France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Jardin botanique de Lyon — botanical garden in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 45 min)
- odeon of Lyon — small ancient Roman theatre in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Musée des Confluences — museum in the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon, France (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Saint Irenaeus Church, Lyon — church located in Rhône, in France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Église Saint-Georges — church in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Uthman Mosque — mosque in France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saint-Bonaventure Basilica — church in the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon, France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Lugdunum Musée et Théâtres — museum about Roman Gaul in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Église Saint-Paul — church building in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Contemporary Arts Museum of Lyon — museum in the 6th arrondissement of Lyon, France (visit ≈ 120 min)
- African Museum of Lyon — museum in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Gadagne (museums) — Lyon History Museum and Puppet Arts Museum (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Grande synagogue de Lyon — synagogue in the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Église du Bon-Pasteur — church in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Église Saint-Polycarpe — church building in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Château de Pierre Scize — defunct pier in Lyon, France (visit ≈ 75 min)
2-day Lyon walking itinerary
Starting point: Vieux Lyon. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 4.1 km · 5,520 steps · 54 min on the way): Lyon Cathedral → Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière → Lugdunum → Place Bellecour → Grand Hôtel-Dieu
- Day 2 (≈ 8.0 km · 10,850 steps · 1 h 47 min on the way): parc de la Tête d'Or → amphitheater of Lyon → Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Lyon
- Fresque des Lyonnais — Trompe-l'oeil mural covering a whole façade, with famous Lyonnais painted in its windows. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Rue Saint-Jean — Vieux Lyon's main street of Renaissance mansions, with doors opening onto courtyards and hidden passages. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Montée de la Grande Côte — Steep pedestrian climb up the Croix-Rousse slope; the top terrace looks over the Presqu'île to Fourvière. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse — The city's gourmet covered market: cheesemongers, charcuterie and oyster counters showcasing local food. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Mur des Canuts — A huge trompe-l'oeil mural in Croix-Rousse so detailed it looks real, celebrating the silk weavers' district. (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Jardin Rosa Mir — A quirky, poetic naive-art garden of shells and stones hidden in a courtyard; opening times are limited. (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Île Barbe — Small, peaceful island in the Saône north of the centre, with remains of an old abbey among the trees. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Institut Lumière — The Lumière brothers' family villa, showing early cameras at the spot where the first films were shot. (visit ≈ 75 min)
Where to stay in Lyon
- Vieux Lyon: Renaissance lanes and hidden passages (traboules); near the funicular.
- Presqu’île / Bellecour: The centre between two rivers; shops and restaurants.
- Croix-Rousse: The silk-workers’ hill; village feel and a market.
- Part-Dieu: The main station and airport tram; business hotels.
- Confluence: Modern architecture where the rivers meet.
Getting from the airport to Lyon
- Lyon Saint-Exupéry (LYS): Rhônexpress tram ≈ 30 min
Getting around
Metro, tram and funicular link the city well; take the funicular up to Fourvière. The centre is great on foot.
Classic places to eat
- Daniel et Denise: A classic bouchon famous for pâté en croûte.
- Le Café des Fédérations: A traditional bouchon with checked tablecloths.
- Chez Hugon: A small, old family-run bouchon.
- Café Comptoir Abel: Lyonnais dishes in wood-panelled rooms since 1928.
- Le Garet: A long-standing bouchon popular with locals.
- Pralus: Famous for the pink-praline “praluline” brioche.
- Bernachon: Bean-to-bar chocolate makers since 1953.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Paul Bocuse — 2 MICHELIN stars, Classic French
- La Mère Brazier — 2 MICHELIN stars, Classic Lyonnais
- Takao Takano — 2 MICHELIN stars, Modern French
- Le Neuvième Art — 2 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Pierre Orsi — 1 MICHELIN star, Classic French
- Les Terrasses de Lyon — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern French
Romantic views
- Fourvière Esplanade (Sunset): All of Lyon from in front of the basilica.
- Passerelle Saint-Georges (Evening): A footbridge over the Saône facing Vieux Lyon.
- Parc de la Tête d’Or (Afternoon): A large park with a lake, rose garden and greenhouses.
- Saône Quays (Evening): A quayside walk opposite the colourful Vieux Lyon façades.
- Jardin des Curiosités (Sunset): A little-known small garden with a city view.
Football stadiums in Lyon
- Parc Olympique Lyonnais: Home of Olympique Lyonnais
Good to know before visiting Lyon
- Fine: Clothing that fully covers the face is banned in public places.
- Fine: Keep your metro/RER ticket until you exit; riding without one is fined at checks.
- Fine: Since July 2025 smoking is banned on beaches, in parks, at bus shelters and outside schools.
- Fine: Flying drones is prohibited over most of Paris.
- Warning: Carry ID or your passport; police may check identity.
- Warning: Driving into city low-emission zones requires a Crit'Air sticker.
- Emergency: 112 (police 17, ambulance 15, fire 18)
- Plugs: C/E, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe; you can ask for a free "carafe d'eau" in restaurants.
- Tipping: Service is included by law; leaving a few euros is a nice extra.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: France, Wikivoyage — France, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Lyon travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Lyon?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Lyon?
- Highlights: Grand Hôtel-Dieu, Lugdunum, Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, Lyon Cathedral and Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. The map has 31 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Lyon?
- Vieux Lyon: Renaissance lanes and hidden passages (traboules); near the funicular. Other options: Presqu’île / Bellecour, Croix-Rousse, Part-Dieu and Confluence.
- How do you get from the airport to Lyon city centre?
- Lyon Saint-Exupéry (LYS): Rhônexpress tram ≈ 30 min
- How do you get around Lyon?
- Metro, tram and funicular link the city well; take the funicular up to Fourvière. The centre is great on foot.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Lyon?
- According to the last known data there are 6 starred restaurants: Paul Bocuse (2 stars), La Mère Brazier (2 stars), Takao Takano (2 stars), Le Neuvième Art (2 stars), Pierre Orsi (1 star) and 1 more. Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Lyon?
- Emergency: 112 (police 17, ambulance 15, fire 18).
- Do you tip in Lyon?
- Service is included by law; leaving a few euros is a nice extra.
Nearby cities
Geneva · Turin · Bern · Marseille · Nice · Lucerne · Monaco · Zurich
France travel guide: all cities · All cities