Best Things to Do in Lyon

Lyon is an epicenter of French culture and art par excellence. It has been highlighted as one of the most beautiful cities in France, and its old town (Vieux Lyon), endowed with amazing architecture, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Whether you are looking for a romantic weekend, a family trip or just a few days of fun, in Lyon you will find many activities to do. You can visit museums or explore the old town and explore its squares, fountains and neighborhoods, wrapped in a dynamic and effervescent atmosphere. In this article I will tell you what are the best things to see and do in Lyon. So if you are looking for inspiration to plan your trip to the French city, wondering what places you should not miss, or looking for travel tips for Lyon this list is for you.

To get a taste of Lyon's history, don't miss the opportunity to walk through the old canut district, the Croix Rousse. This place used to be the core of the textile industry. In the mid-19th century, silk workers led a major revolt to improve their working conditions and wages. Today, it is a bohemian and artistic neighborhood known for its numerous traboules and impressive wall.

Also, to complement this interesting period of French history, I suggest you visit the Maison des Canuts, a former silk weavers' workshop, and the Fresque des Canuts, a huge 1,200 square meter mural that offers a glimpse into the life of the workers and the neighborhood.

This activity is one of the best things to do in April in Lyon, as spring is an ideal time to walk outdoors and enjoy the beauty of the neighborhood. You can do this walk on your own, but to make the most of it I recommend doing it with a professional guide, as this is one of the best tours in Lyon.

What's better than exploring Lyon at your own pace and in the comfort of a double-decker bus? Within the best hop on hop off bus tours of Lyon you will find excellent service options, all with audio commentary available in up to eight different languages. You'll enjoy a unique experience while learning all about the city, its history, culinary heritage and famous people.

With 14 different stops, including iconic locations such as Place des Jacobins, Passerelle Palais de Justice, Musée des Confluences, Parc des Hauteurs and many more, you'll have the opportunity to see all that Lyon has to offer. Plus, you can hop on and off as many times as you like at each stop, and stay as long as you need to tour each place. Because of the great optimization of time and places visited, this is an ideal activity to do in Lyon in 1 day.

Lyon is a place full of incredible flavors and unique culinary experiences that you can't miss. Do you want to enjoy an unforgettable gastronomic experience? Then let me tell you about one of the best gastronomic tours in Lyon.

Live a unique gastronomic experience, take a walking tour of the most emblematic sites of Lyon accompanied by a local guide. This way you can visit monuments, picturesque neighborhoods, appreciate the beautiful architecture of the city and, at the same time, enjoy exceptional culinary tastings.

In this type of tour, you will have the opportunity to taste more than 10 different products of the local gastronomy. And if you are a culinary aficionado, I recommend that you complement this experience with one of the best wine tours in Lyon.

The Lyon peninsula is a fascinating place not to be missed during your visit to the city. This historic area boasts some of the city's most emblematic and beautiful monuments. Walking along the pedestrian Victor Hugo Street, you will find a wide variety of stores and restaurants that will give you an authentic taste of the local culture. It also has a large number of squares and parks for you to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

One of its most impressive places is the Place des Terreaux, which has a fountain weighing 360 tons, created by the famous French sculptor, Bartholdi. It is an architectural masterpiece that will certainly catch your attention. Also in the area, you can visit the Place des Jacobins and the Lyon Opera House, which is located in the Place des Célestins.

Another place you will find here is the Palais de la Bourse. Today, temporary and permanent exhibitions are held there, offering a fascinating insight into the history of Lyon and France. This tour is ideal for short stays and is one of the best things to do in Lyon in 3 days for encompassing history, fascinating landscapes and culture.

Undoubtedly, one of the most impressive places in Lyon is the Place Bellecourl, an emblematic public space that has an area of 62,000 square meters. It was built in the 17th century and has witnessed important historical events, such as the French Revolution and the First World War.

This place is very popular among local inhabitants, who use it as a meeting point. It is also an excellent reference point for accessing tourist sites.

This square also has the distinction of being the largest pedestrian square in Europe, and offers a spectacular view of Fourvière. This is one of the best things to do in May in Lyon, as the weather is warmer and drier, allowing you to enjoy the square at its best.

Among the many reasons why the Fourvière Hill and its basilica are a must-see destination, I can't fail to mention that these places have witnessed the historical origins of Lyon since 43 B.C.

If you're up for it, I recommend an activity that, although it can be strenuous, is really rewarding: climbing the Fourvière Hill. Although, if you prefer a more comfortable option, you can take the funicular La Ficelle from the Vieux-Lyon station and ascend without expending energy.

Fourviere Basilica

One way or another, at the top, you will have the opportunity to admire the Fourvière Basilica, a religious monument that is a real tourist attraction and symbolizes the religious history of Lyon. It was built in the 19th century to honor the Virgin Mary, who is credited with saving the city from a cholera epidemic. The interior decoration is impressive. The ceilings are covered with intricate, gilded paintings, and the walls with mosaics and sculptures.

But the real jewel of the Fourvière Basilica is its terrace. From there, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city of Lyon. It is an ideal place to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.

If you are visiting the city of Lyon, you can't miss its aquarium. Unlike others, the Lyon Aquarium is not just a large fish tank with exotic and colorful fish, but has a real educational vocation. The Lyon Aquarium covers an area of 5000 m², 2500 of which are intended for the public to discover the seabed through a long walk between rivers and oceans.

The underwater tour begins in the temperate freshwater hall, where you can observe fish from the northern hemisphere. Afterwards, you will find species from the southern hemisphere and the tropical freshwater room. Continuing the tour, you will arrive at the tropical marine waters hall, where you can admire the fantastic butterfly fish, groupers and barracudas. You can also see sharks visible on two floors in a huge tank of 500,000 liters, where they walk around a ship.

The tour ends in the room of the five senses, where touch is the predominant sense. Here you can touch species such as gobies, anemones, mollusks and echinoderms, and relive, for ten minutes, a tropical storm in the "rain forest".

The Grand Lyon Aquarium is a must for lovers of the marine world and for those who want to learn more about the importance of marine wildlife conservation. And if nature is your thing, I recommend one of the best day trips from Lyon to learn more about the surrounding flora and fauna.

Another must-see if you are in Lyon, is the modern district of Confluence, located (precisely) at the confluence of the Rhone and Saône rivers. What used to be an industrial area has now been transformed into an eco-friendly residential neighborhood, with truly impressive contemporary architecture. Confluence has a shopping mall, restaurants, a cinema, the Confluence Museum and green spaces to enjoy the outdoors.

Of all of these, I recommend a visit to the Confluence Museum. It has a futuristic design and houses exhibits detailing the origins of life, including an archeological section and fascinating depictions of death. Buy your tickets in advance, though, as it is one of the most popular in the city.

Lyon boasts stunning natural scenery and a wide variety of outdoor activities. One of them is to stroll along the quays of the Rhône and Saône. On this walk, you can enjoy panoramic views of the rivers, which are bordered by beautiful green hills and colorful historic buildings.

Around the quays you will come across the famous "bouchons", small typical restaurants offering delicious dishes of the region's haute French cuisine. In addition, the local markets offer a wide variety of fresh produce, such as cheeses, sausages, fruits and vegetables, which are ideal for those looking to delight their palate.

During your tour, you will find a wide variety of stores and stores selling handcrafted products, reflecting the local culture. You will even see floating barges offering souvenirs of the city. And if you're looking for a more active option, renting an electric bike to ride along the docks is a great idea. The bike paths are very well maintained and offer breathtaking views of the natural landscape. And if this activity interests you, I recommend you consider taking one of the best bike tours in Lyon.

Although all year round this is a lovely ride, visiting is one of the best things to do in June in Lyon because the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the views of the river and bridges.

If you're an art lover, you can't miss the Museum of Fine Arts, located in the historic Abbaye des Dames de Saint-Pierre in Lyon's Presqu'île district, a place that is itself a historical monument. With more than 70 exhibition rooms, this museum is home to a vast collection of paintings and sculptures ranging from Antiquity to the present day.

During your visit you can browse the many galleries and see everything from pieces from ancient Egypt to works by famous artists such as Picasso, Monet, Rubens and Rembrandt, among others. In addition, the museum offers guided tours and temporary exhibitions that change frequently, which means there is always something new and exciting to see. Admission to the museum is free if you have the Lyon City Card, which is an interesting advantage if you are an art lover.

It is without a doubt a must-see in this city and one of the best things to do in Lyon in 2 days or short stays. As for the time of the year, this activity is one of the best things to do in Lyon in November, because the weather is cooler and rainy during that month, which makes it ideal for spending time indoors. In addition, the Museum of Fine Arts has an impressive art collection that will keep you busy for hours.

The Part-Dieu district is an attractive tourist spot in the city of Lyon, located on what was once the site of the great Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon, a hospital that was a landmark in the development of innovative medical practices throughout France. Today, the area is known as a business district and is home to a large shopping mall that attracts many visitors from all over the world, making it one of the best things to do in Lyon.

All of Lyon's architecture is impressive, and the Part-Dieu district is no exception. Three towers in particular stand out from its structure : the InCity Tower, the Crayon Tower and the Oxygen Tower, which have become symbols of the cityscape. The Crayon Tower even has a restaurant on the 32nd floor, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the city while enjoying an exquisite meal.

There is much to discover and enjoy in the Part-Dieu district, and it's not all about gourmet restaurants and shopping. If history and architecture are your thing, you can explore the old streets of the district and visit the Musée d'Art Contemporain de Lyon, a neighboring site that houses an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art.

A must-do is to explore the city's famous traboules, the French name for the city's famous traboules. This is the French name for a series of unique, picturesque pedestrian walkways that run underneath houses and allow visitors to move comfortably from one street to another while enjoying the stunning architecture.

There are hundreds of traboules throughout the city, so exploring them on your own can be a pleasant and interesting experience. But if you want to be sure to access the most famous ones and learn more about their history and architecture, a guided tour can be an excellent option. Besides the traboules, the city of Lyon has many other interesting places to explore if you like walking.

Walking through the streets of Lyon you will come across emblematic sites of tourist interest such as the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the Place Bellecour, the historic district of Vieux Lyon and its gothic cathedral among many other things.

Located just a few meters from the Espace Tête d'Or, the Parc de la Tête d'Or is a popular tourist attraction for its beauty and relaxed atmosphere. If you are looking for a relaxing activity, this is an excellent choice. The people of Lyon themselves come here to stroll and enjoy the sun.

The construction of the Parc de la Tête d'Or began in 1856. Designed by brothers Denis and Eugène Bühler, the park features botanical gardens, a large lake, a rose garden and multiple points of interest. This iconic site represents an exceptional example of 19th century landscape architectural style and is an outstanding place for relaxation and recreation in Lyon.

This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do with children in Lyon, thanks to its many attractions. The park features a zoo, a rose garden, a botanical garden, a train ride and pedal boat rides on the lake.

If you are fortunate enough to be in Lyon for the end of the year, you can't miss the Festival of Lights in Lyon. This religious event, held every December since 1852 in honor of the Virgin Mary, is a true visual marvel and one of the top 10 things to do at Christmas in Lyon.

You don't have to be religious to attend this wonderful event, you can enjoy the spectacular lights and artistic projections that illuminate the facades of the most emblematic monuments of the city. Access is free and totally worth it, as the Lyon Festival of Lights is one of the most popular events in the city, and thanks to the fact that it attracts visitors from all over the world it is among the best things to do in December in Lyon and of course among the best activities to do in Lyon at night.

Inaddition to the impressive light displays, the festival also offers a wide variety of activities and entertainment for all ages. You can enjoy concerts, street performances, craft markets, and of course, taste the delicious gastronomy of Lyon. During the festival, restaurants offer special menus and street food stalls allow you to sample some of the region's most emblematic dishes, such as quenelle, macaroni gratin and boudin noir.