Welcome to one of the most charming cities in France! Lyon is one of those cities that makes you feel like you are stepping into an old French movie’s scenery. Although it is the third-largest French city, you can still visit it as a day trip. Having the right itinerary will allow you to see the main attractions of Lyon in one day. We have been living in France for the last few years. So, we can guide you through your 24 hours, focusing on exploring the city but also enjoying your time as a tourist. In this article, you will find the perfect itinerary on how to spend a day in Lyon, France.
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Things to know before visiting Lyon, France
Lyon is located in the heart of the “Rhône-Alpes” region. Compared to other French cities, it has a lively nightlife, especially in the summer. If you are a foodie, Lyon should be on your list, as it is the gastronomical capital of France. So, you will have a wide range of cuisines and restaurants in this city! Despite its size, it can be visited in a day, as its main tourist attractions are concentrated in the city center. In case you are traveling on a budget, you should be aware that it is one of the most expensive cities in France. However, you can find affordable food and free things to do. It is a historic city with brilliant architecture that will leave you with the best impressions.
How to get to Lyon?
Due to its geographical location, access to Lyon is easy. You can either take the bus or train from almost any French city or fly directly to Lyon Saint-Exupéry International Airport. Especially the connection with Paris, Marseille, and Strasbourg is very easy. Trains or buses run regularly and serve millions of people every day. Since Lyon is located close to the French Alps, you can also get to famous ski resorts like Val d’Isère, Mégève, Chamonix, or Alpe d’Huez easily. If you are coming from nearby European countries, you can fly into Lyon Airport and then easily get to the city center. Another convenient way to get to Lyon is by car. Since it is located very close to Switzerland, Italy, and Germany, it is the perfect destination to add to your road trip itinerary.
The best time to visit Lyon
While Lyon is a city you can visit all year round, we strongly believe that the shoulder season (spring and autumn) is the best time to make this trip. In winter, it is quite grey and cold. In summer, you can encounter very high temperatures. However, if you want to avoid the hot days, you will enjoy sunny days in spring! You will have the opportunity to admire the colorful flowers even in the city center.
Is one day in Lyon enough?
As we said earlier, Lyon is not a small city where you can visit all its gems in one day. However, the main tourist attractions are located in the center. So, it is possible to visit them, even in 24 hours. During day trips, it is important to focus on the best places to see, so that you have more free time to enjoy a walk around the city, try local food, or even go shopping.
How to get around Lyon?
Getting around in Lyon is simple and quick, as there is good public transport. Regular buses, trams, and metros run in Lyon. So, you can go almost everywhere within the city using only public transport. However, single tickets are expensive. That is why we highly recommend getting a City Pass to save money and time. As for the transfer from the airport to the city center and vice versa, there are two convenient ways. “Rhone Express” is the first option, which is the train that connects the airport to the city center. The other way to get downtown or anywhere else is to book a transfer from the airport. You should consider the latter, especially if you are more than one person or a family, or want to go somewhere specific in Lyon.
The perfect one day itinerary in Lyon – France
1-Start the day with breakfast in the city center
You should start your day with a typical French breakfast (a croissant or a pain au chocolat), especially if you have a sweet tooth. There are many great cafés for breakfast in the center. Wherever you are in the center, you will find many cafés, bakeries, or French patisseries to enjoy a delicious breakfast. We highly recommend looking for breakfast spots in Place Bellecour, Cordeliers, or Place Carnot.
2-Take a stroll through Place Bellecour
The central square in the city center is Place Bellecour. Here you will find almost everything. Many cafés, restaurants, stores, and hotels make it such a lively place. Because of this vibrant atmosphere, it is one of our go-to places. If you are an architecture buff, you will love Place Bellecour for its classic buildings. In the heart of this square, you will also find the Ferris wheel, which is one of the most famous spots in Lyon in winter.
Just after Place Bellecour, you will find Place de la République et Cordeliers. They are the other must-visit areas in the center. There are countless stores, enough restaurants and cafés to enjoy a great time. Place Bellecour is accessible by metro (lines A and D). The same goes for Cordeliers (the next metro stop). Because it is the commercial heart of Lyon, it is often very crowded. Beware of pickpockets who are very common either on the subway or on the streets.
3-Explore the Old Town of Lyon
About 750 meters from Place Bellecour, you will find one of the most picturesque areas of Lyon, the Vieux Lyon (“the old town” in English). It has a completely different atmosphere compared to the previous places! If you want to spend time visiting the Basilica of Fourvière, you should take the funicular directly from the old town (direction Fourvière). Since it is an important historical monument, it is worth a visit. It also offers the best panoramic view. You can visit the Fourvière and then take the funicular down to the old town. After your visit, you can spend some time in the Vieux Lyon. In case you want to know more about the city and its history, you can also take a private tour.
4-Take your lunch in the Old Town
The old town is the best place to go for lunch. It has a great variety of restaurants, and many of them serve authentic French and Lyonnais cuisine. You should visit the traditional “bouchons” if you want to try the local specialties. Alternatively, you will find Italian, Asian, or other types of cuisines. But, as a tourist, it is better to try the local cuisine to have a full Lyonnais experience. Another reason to go for lunch in the old town is the authentic decoration of the restaurants. They give off all the old French vibes and make it a unique dining experience.
5-Head to Croix-Rousse district
If you are willing to go uptown to the Croix-Rousse neighborhood, you will love it (it is one of our favorite places). It is much smaller than the busy city center, but just as beautiful and more picturesque. There are incredible colors everywhere, old houses, and lots of bars and restaurants to have a great time. Besides the Basilica of Fourvière, you will find amazing panoramic views of Lyon in this incredible area. You can reach it easily by metro. We would not recommend heading to Croix-Rousse on foot, as there are a lot of stairs to climb, and you need a lot more time.
6-Go to the Saône River for sunset
Your day in Lyon is coming to an end. So, you need to be close to the city center to get out of Lyon or go back to your hotel easily. You can enjoy a magical sunset on the river Saône, the second river of the city. Between the old town and Place Bellecour, you will find this incredible sunset spot known as the “red footbridge” on the Saône River.
7-End your day with a walk along the Rhône River
If you are looking for the last things to do in Lyon, we would recommend a walk along the Rhône River. On the river docks, several riverboats operate as bars mainly in spring, summer, and autumn. So, you can take a romantic walk or rent a bike, and then enjoy a drink or grab a quick dinner on these boats. They are usually crowded at night.
Other beautiful cities to visit in France
France is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in Europe. Below you will find our recommendations for other charming French cities that are worth visiting. If you can spare extra time in France, the following places deserve a visit. You can visit some of them as day trips.
1-Paris
If we had to choose the first city to visit in France, we would pick Paris. The City of Love is a unique destination that you should visit at least once in your life, even as a day trip. Apart from its glorious architecture, art, and history, Paris will always be one of the most romantic and photogenic places in the world.
2-Strasbourg
Strasbourg is located in the heart of the Alsace region. It is the official seat of the European Parliament. It is also considered the “capital of Christmas”. Thus, it is one of the most magical places to visit at Christmas in Europe. Since it is very close to the German border, it is easily accessible. You can visit Strasbourg all year round. However, nothing beats the festive Christmas atmosphere and decorations.
3-Colmar
If you visit Strasbourg, you cannot leave the Alsace region without visiting the fairytale town of Colmar. Half-timbered houses, canals, and narrow alleyways make this small town so special. The best time to visit is undoubtedly at Christmas. Its cheerful atmosphere, the Christmas markets and decorations, and the Alsatian food will leave you with the best impressions.
4-Nice
The French Riviera (“Côte d’Azur” in French) is one of the most beautiful regions in France. Due to its dreamy beaches with deep blue waters and its Mediterranean vibes, the whole area is full of gems. Nice is the capital of this unique French region. So, you can easily base yourself in Nice and take day trips to the other parts of the French Riviera.
5-Menton
We could not end our list without including Menton. It is the last French town before the Italian border. It is considered the hidden gem of the French Riviera. It is also known as the city of lemons, as there are lemons and palm trees everywhere. Vibrant colors, beautiful beaches, charming streets, and delicious Mediterranean food are the main reasons to visit this wonderful French town.
Final Thoughts
Lyon is a wonderful city to visit during your stay in France. If you are a foodie, it is the right place for you with a huge variety of restaurants and cafés. You will need more than one day to explore it properly. However, you can still get a good taste of Lyon in one day. In case you can spare some extra time in France, we recommend that you add as many places as possible to your itinerary. All the above are unique French destinations with plenty to see and do.
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