Here are the best activities to do and landmarks to see in Lyon! Let’s discover what you can do and see in Lyon during a romantic weekend with your family or friends, whether you spend 2 or 3 days or more. Here, we’ll see the most important things to know to prepare for the visit to Lyon, including the best restaurants to eat at and our favorite hotels to stay at in Lyon.
- Visiting Lyon: TOP 10 must-do activities in Lyon ?
- Best restaurants to eat at in Old Lyon ?
- Hotels and apartments to stay at in Lyon ?
- Lyon Festival of Lights ?
- What to do in Lyon when it rains? ?
- What to do around Lyon? ?
1. Visiting Lyon: TOP 11 must-see and do activities in Lyon
Our TOP 11 must-see and do activities in Lyon:
- Visit the Saint-Jean Cathedral
- Go through the traboules of the Croix Rousse and the slopes district
- Visit the Lyon Peninsula
- Take a boat trip on the Saone
- Climb the Fourvière Hill and visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
- Discover Lyon’s gastronomy
- Take a tour of Lyon’s Bocuse halls
- Stroll in the Parc de la tête d’Or
- Visit the Musée des Confluences in Lyon
- Discover Street Art in Lyon
1.1 Visit the Saint-Jean Cathedral in Lyon
Built from 1175 to 1481, the Saint-Jean Cathedral or the Saint-Jean-Baptiste-et-Saint-Étienne Primatial is one of the must-visit places in Lyon. The cathedral’s particularity is its astronomical clock. Built in the 16th century, the clock was accurate until 2019, which is remarkable given the knowledge at the time of its construction.
1.2 Go through the traboules of the Croix Rousse and the slopes district
If you spend a weekend in Lyon, you must visit the Croix Rousse and Slopes districts. These districts are known for their lanes, stairways, and more than 150 traboules! Traboules are pedestrian passages through building courtyards.
Tram visit. If you are visiting Lyon, you can take a tram tour in the Croix Rousse district. The City tram ride is quite nice for discovering this district of Lyon.
1.3 See the Lyon Peninsula
The Lyon Peninsula is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.It’s the historic heart of Lyon, and you must visit it!
Visit Lyon by electric bicycle. It’s fast, convenient, and with a guide, it’s even better! Discover Lyon from South to North by electric bicycle and with a guide: guided 2-hour bike tour.
1.4 Take a boat tour on the Saone
What to do in Lyon over the weekend? A cruise on the Saone! It’s an excellent opportunity to discover the city of Lyon from another angle. You can find tickets for the boat tours here: lunch-cruise on the Saone. The tour lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes.
1.5 Climb the Fourvière Hill and visit the Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica
The Notre-Dame Basilica is one of Lyon’s emblematic monuments. From Fourvière Hill, you can admire a very pretty view of Lyon. It’s a perfect place to discover at sunset.
1.6 Discover Lyon’s gastronomy
During a weekend in Lyon, you can take the opportunity to discover the region’s cuisine. Further down in the article, we have added some places where you can have lunch or dinner in Lyon. If you are interested in gastronomy, you can combine the visit to Old Lyon with a tasting of 17 dishes! The visit lasts 4 hours: book the gastronomic tour in Old Lyon.
1.7 Take a tour of Lyon’s Bocuse halls
The Bocuse halls are a true crossroads of flavors and the temple of Lyon gastronomy. Come here to discover products from the region (and other regions!) and a friendly atmosphere.
1.8 Stroll in the Parc de la tête d’Or in Lyon
The Parc de la tête d’Or is one of the largest urban parks in France. It’s one of our top places to visit in Lyon. There are more than 30,000 rose bushes and 8,800 trees here. If you’re going to visit Lyon, you can enjoy the greenery and calm and take a break from the city.
1.9 Visit the Musée des Confluences in Lyon
It’s a very nice visit to do in Lyon with family! The architecture of the Musée des Confluences is impressive. But what’s interesting is what you’ll discover inside. You can book tickets here.
1.10 Discover the Street Art in Lyon
Several streets in the slopes district and the Croix Rousse district of Lyon have street art. For less than 10$, you can download an audio guide on your smartphone to help you find them and learn more about each one.
2. Hotels and Apartments for Staying in Lyon
Here are some hotels for staying in Lyon during a weekend.
Hotel Des Artistes: This 3-star hotel is very well located in Lyon, in the heart of the historical center, just a 2-minute walk from Bellecour Square. It is an excellent place to stay while visiting Lyon.
Quality Suites Lyon Confluence: suites with a kitchenette for 4 people, perfect for a weekend with family!
Discover our selection of the best places to stay in Lyon as a couple or with family in our article: Where to Stay in Lyon.
3. Tasty restaurants to eat at in Old Lyon
If you plan to spend two or three days in Lyon, here are some tasty restaurants to eat at. Click on the address to locate the restaurant on Google Maps.
Agastache (134 Rue Duguesclin): a Lyon bistro where you will have a great time and enjoy beautiful and delicious dishes.
NOSCH (24 Rue Palais Grillet): a wine bistro with delicious food and a friendly atmosphere in the heart of Lyon. A great place to eat in Lyon!
Le Musée (2 Rue des Forces): a typical Lyon bouchon! Here, you can taste Lyonnaise cuisine in an authentic setting. Perfect for lunch or dinner!
Les Terrasses de Lyon (25 Montée Saint-Barthélémy): a gastronomic restaurant on the Fourvière hill with a beautiful terrace and an amazing view of Lyon!
Lunch Cruise or Dinner Cruise. Combine two in one: discover Lyon from another angle and enjoy lunch or dinner on the waters of the Saone. Book a dinner cruise or a lunch cruise.
4. Festival of Lights in Lyon
The Festival of Lights is a magical event that takes place every year in December in Lyon. To learn more about the event, you can visit the official website of the Festival of Lights.
Good to know! At this time of year, many travelers come to visit Lyon. Therefore, accommodation rates can significantly increase, and choices may be limited if you don’t book in advance.
5. What to Do in Lyon When It Rains?
If it rains while you’re in Lyon, what should you do? Here are indoor activities:
- Visit the Aquarium of Lyon
- Visit the Miniature and Film Museum or the Museum of Fine Arts
- Do an escape game
- Climb at the Mur de Lyon (large climbing gym)
- Go bowling or play Laser Game
6. What to Visit Around Lyon During a Weekend?
Some ideas of places to visit around Lyon:
- Discover the Beaujolais. You can explore the hilly landscapes, local wines, and Beaujolais Nouveau by car: day trip from Lyon.
- Visit the most beautiful villages around Lyon. For example, Oingt is the best-known village in the Lyon region. This fortified medieval village is located just 30km from Lyon.
Leave a Comment