Things to do in Lyon

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Lyon showing a city, a statue or sculpture and a river or creek
Confluence Museum
Lyon Opera which includes street scenes as well as a large group of people
Notre Dame Basilica which includes interior views, religious elements and heritage architecture
Notre Dame Basilica which includes a city

Lyon Attractions

Are you a fan of fine dining or shopping? Or maybe you prefer to make your way around a new city like a local. While staying in Lyon, it doesn't really matter what your preferences are — this happening metropolis offers all the experiences and attractions you could ever need.

Discover what makes Lyon tick with the most popular tours & day trips. Browse through our top {193 fun activities in Lyon fun activities in Lyon}, and rest easy knowing that we offer free cancellation and no added fees.

Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.

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Most popular activities in Lyon

Tours & day trips

See all 184 activities
Lyon: Guided Sightseeing Cruise

Lyon: Guided Sightseeing Cruise

Activity duration is 1 hour
Free cancellation available
Price is $18 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 75 activities
Full Day Tour Annecy and Pérouges

Full Day Tour Annecy and Pérouges

Activity duration is 8 hours
Price is $316 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 18 activities
Lyon: Guided City Bike Tour

Lyon: Guided City Bike Tour

Activity duration is 3 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is $57 per adult
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Classes & workshops

See all 9 activities
Make French Pastries with Professional Chef in Private Atelier

Make French Pastries with Professional Chef in Private Atelier

Activity duration is 3 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is $129 per adult
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Shows & concerts

See all 6 activities
Lyon City Card: Public Transport & More Than 40 Attractions

Lyon City Card: Public Transport & More Than 40 Attractions

8.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is $38 per adult
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Recommended things to do in Lyon

Number of things to do
193
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Self Guided Tour in Lyon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $4
Top 5 things to do
Under $25
With kids

What to do in Lyon

Free Things to Do in Lyon

Touring on a shoestring budget in Lyon? Spend time, not your paycheck, on great experiences.

Musée d'Art Religieux - Approach the friendly staff or curator and learn more about the special collections exhibited at this museum.

Fresque des Lyonnais - This is an ideal place to get your culture fix and learn all about the buzzing local arts scene.

University of Lyon II - Architecture buffs will no doubt enjoy admiring the impressive modern design of this local landmark.

Medieval & Renaissance Architecture - Roam around this historic site and uncover a couple of secrets from times past.

Place des Jacobins - Mingle with some local people and seek out the true character and energy of this unique place.

Gros Caillou - If you're eager to check out a few of the more important or interesting places in the community, start here.

Eglise Saint Nizier - Do some quiet contemplation and discover a few things about this site's spiritual importance.

Le Jardin Des Chartreux - If you're into digging around the garden, this attraction will fascinate your green thumb.

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Lyon? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in Lyon

Bellecour Square showing heritage architecture and a square or plaza

Bellecour Square

4.5/5(175 reviews)

Relax at a café in one of Europe’s largest open squares and enjoy the French ambiance generated by street performers and live music.

Bellecour Square
This is a very famous spot among photographers, though I'd never had the chance of getting this photo right. This time, everything fell into place, and it is a blend of long exposures and short ones, especially for the birds.

Part Dieu Mall

4/5(47 reviews)

During your visit to Lyon, you can enjoy retail therapy at Part Dieu Mall. While you're in the area, stroll along the riverfront.

Part Dieu Mall
Tete d\'Or Park

Tête d'Or Park

4.5/5(65 reviews)

Complete your Lyon visit with several hours in this delightful spot, a combination of botanical gardens, grassy public spaces and a zoo.

Tête d'Or Park
Terreaux Square showing a square or plaza, a fountain and a statue or sculpture

Place des Terreaux

4.5/5(97 reviews)

Life unfolds in this beautiful and busy central square, home to a superb fountain sculpted by Statue of Liberty designer, Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi.

Place des Terreaux
Terreaux Square which includes an administrative buidling, heritage architecture and a square or plaza

Hôtel de Ville de Lyon

4.5/5(92 reviews)

The symbol of Lyon and the seat of its government is a stunning 17th-century building with a history of swamps, fires and revolutions.

Hôtel de Ville de Lyon
Lyon Opera which includes outdoor art

Lyon National Opera

4.5/5(55 reviews)

Watch a performance or tour the interior of this unusual opera house, which dramatically combines traditional and modern architectural styles.

Lyon National Opera
Notre Dame Basilica which includes heritage architecture, a church or cathedral and religious elements

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

4.5/5(201 reviews)

Lyon’s crowning glory, this monumental church stands atop Fourvière hill and provides fabulous panoramas of the city.

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Confluence Museum

Musée des Confluences

4.5/5(31 reviews)

You can browse the exhibits at Musée des Confluences, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Lyon. Visit the area's shops or amble around its riverfront.

Musée des Confluences
Stade Gerland

Matmut Stadium

4/5(26 reviews)

Join hordes of fans for a thrilling rugby match or an open-air concert at this Lyon stadium with a rich sporting history.

Matmut Stadium

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Lyon

Textile Museum

Lyon City Centre

Lyon City Centre is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Bellecour Square and Place Carnot. See more of Lyon by jumping on the metro at Saint-André Tram Stop or Rue de l'Universite Tram Stop.

Lyon City Centre
Lyon showing a city, a statue or sculpture and a river or creek

Old Lyon

4.5/5(50 area reviews)

Explore the largest Renaissance district in Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, featuring three sections: Saint Jean, Saint Paul, and Saint Georges. Discover museums, traboules, and historic churches, with Gare Saint-Paul as a transportation hub.

Old Lyon
Bellecour Square showing a statue or sculpture, a bridge and a river or creek

Bellecour - Hôtel Dieu

While you're in Bellecour - Hôtel Dieu, take in top sights like Bellecour Square and jump on the metro at Bellecour Station to see more of the city.

Bellecour - Hôtel Dieu
At the bank of the Rhone River there are a lot of cool restaurants or bars within/on top of anchored ships.

3rd Arrondissement

4/5(140 area reviews)

Discover the 3rd arrondissement's impressive towers, such as Tour Part-Dieu and Tour Oxygène, and enjoy cultural venues like Auditorium Maurice-Ravel and Théâtre de la Tête d'Or. Easily navigate with Metro Lines B and D, and Tramway T1 and T3.

3rd Arrondissement
7th Arrondissement

7th Arrondissement

3.5/5(25 area reviews)

Learn about Lyon’s intriguing role in the French Resistance and enjoy entertainment in the form of rugby, soccer and music in this district’s iconic venues.

7th Arrondissement
La Presqu\'ile which includes cycling as well as a large group of people

La Presqu'île

4.5/5(255 area reviews)

Explore numerous cafés, restaurants, and luxury shops in this UNESCO-listed central part of Lyon. Visit cultural institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts and enjoy a quiet urban oasis at the public garden in St. Pierre Palace.

La Presqu'île
See our Where To Stay guide

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from Lyon

Photo "Bron" by Perreal (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Perreal (CC BY-SA)

Bron

Photo "Charbonnieres-les-Bains" by Pymouss (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Pymouss (CC BY-SA)

Charbonnieres-les-Bains

Tassin-la-Demi-Lune

Tassin-la-Demi-Lune

Photo "Villeurbanne" by Gnu-Bricoleur (page does not exist) (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Gnu-Bricoleur (page does not exist) (CC BY-SA)

Villeurbanne

Photo "Miribel" by Benoît Prieur (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Benoît Prieur (CC BY-SA)

Miribel

Photo "Saint-Maurice-de-Beynost" by Benoît Prieur (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Benoît Prieur (CC BY-SA)

Saint-Maurice-de-Beynost

Photo "Ecully" by Alex.cella (page does not exist) (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Alex.cella (page does not exist) (CC BY-SA)

Ecully

Photo "Sainte-Foy-les-Lyon" by Madpe (page does not exist) (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Madpe (page does not exist) (CC BY-SA)

Sainte-Foy-les-Lyon

Frequently asked questions

Is Lyon worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Lyon is visit Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon. Tick this top attraction off your to-do list, then experience more of this area's festivals and dining.
How do I spend a day in Lyon?
Once you've checked off popular attractions like Lugdunum and Lyon Aquarium, spend some time exploring Lyon's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Lyon?
The top tourist attraction in Lyon is Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, so don't forget to put it on your itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Lyon?
You can easily enjoy leading sights like Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, Lyon Cathedral and Lugdunum with a three-day escape to Lyon. On average, most travelers plan two days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a little longer and head to Colombier-Saugnieu.
Is Lyon a walkable city?
It depends on what you plan to do and see in Lyon. Several key attractions, including Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon and Lyon Cathedral, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll around some of Lyon's best neighborhoods, Lyon City Centre is 1 mile away from downtown, while 2nd Arrondissement is 1 mile away from the city center and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Lyon with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with tiny adventurers or hard-to-please teens, a fun-filled itinerary is the key to a stress-free getaway. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Lyon with kids.

What to do in Lyon for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, avid foodie or adventure seeker, there are lots of things to do in Lyon for adults including Hôtel de Ville de Lyon and Halle Tony Garnier.
Are there free things to do in Lyon?
From visiting parks to strolling around vibrant neighborhoods, it's a breeze to discover free things to do in Lyon. If you need inspiration, ask for recommendations from a local tour guide. Odéon is a great spot for anyone planning to save on their traveling adventures.