Lyon itinerary: 1 to 7 days
Plans for one to seven days in Lyon, day by day: the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the Fourvière hill and the Parc de la Tête d'Or first, then Vieux Lyon, the cathedral, the Roman theatre and the Museum of Fine Arts, and La Croix-Rousse, the Musée Gadagne and the Musée des Confluences as you add days. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 3 days
Lyon in 1 day
Day 1
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Late-19th-century basilica above the old town, richly decorated with mosaics, with a terrace overlooking the whole city.
Vieux Lyon
UNESCO-listed Renaissance quarter on the Saône with narrow streets, traboules and traditional bouchons.
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Large urban park with a lake, rose gardens, a free zoo and the botanical garden, in the 6th arrondissement.
Lyon in 2 days
Day 1
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Late-19th-century basilica above the old town, richly decorated with mosaics, with a terrace overlooking the whole city.
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Large urban park with a lake, rose gardens, a free zoo and the botanical garden, in the 6th arrondissement.
Day 2
Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon
Former hospital on the Rhône rebuilt by Soufflot, now restored with courtyards, shops and the Cité de la Gastronomie.
Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
Major art museum in a former abbey on Place des Terreaux, from Egyptian antiquities to Picasso, with a cloister garden.
Place des Terreaux
Lyon's grand square in front of the Hôtel de Ville, with the Bartholdi fountain and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Vieux Lyon
UNESCO-listed Renaissance quarter on the Saône with narrow streets, traboules and traditional bouchons.
Lyon Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Jean, mixing Romanesque and Gothic styles, known for its 14th-century astronomical clock.
Ancient Theatre of Fourvière
Roman theatre from about 15 BC on Fourvière hill, still used for the summer Nuits de Fourvière festival.
Lyon in 3 days
Day 1
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Late-19th-century basilica above the old town, richly decorated with mosaics, with a terrace overlooking the whole city.
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Large urban park with a lake, rose gardens, a free zoo and the botanical garden, in the 6th arrondissement.
Day 2
Ancient Theatre of Fourvière
Roman theatre from about 15 BC on Fourvière hill, still used for the summer Nuits de Fourvière festival.
Place de la Trinité
Small square at the foot of the Montée du Gourguillon, setting of the Guignol puppet stories.
Lyon Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Jean, mixing Romanesque and Gothic styles, known for its 14th-century astronomical clock.
Vieux Lyon
UNESCO-listed Renaissance quarter on the Saône with narrow streets, traboules and traditional bouchons.
Musée Gadagne
Renaissance mansion in Vieux Lyon housing the city history museum and a puppet museum.
Day 3
Place Bellecour
One of the largest open squares in Europe, with an equestrian statue of Louis XIV and the tourist office.
Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon
Former hospital on the Rhône rebuilt by Soufflot, now restored with courtyards, shops and the Cité de la Gastronomie.
Place des Jacobins
Elegant square on the Presqu'île with a marble fountain honouring Lyon artists.
Palais de la Bourse, Lyon
Second Empire palace housing the chamber of commerce, with ornate halls on the Place des Cordeliers.
Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
Major art museum in a former abbey on Place des Terreaux, from Egyptian antiquities to Picasso, with a cloister garden.
Place des Terreaux
Lyon's grand square in front of the Hôtel de Ville, with the Bartholdi fountain and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Lyon in 4 days
Day 1
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Late-19th-century basilica above the old town, richly decorated with mosaics, with a terrace overlooking the whole city.
Cemetery of Loyasse
Romantic 19th-century hillside cemetery on Fourvière with elaborate tombs of Lyon notables.
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Large urban park with a lake, rose gardens, a free zoo and the botanical garden, in the 6th arrondissement.
Day 2
Place des Jacobins
Elegant square on the Presqu'île with a marble fountain honouring Lyon artists.
Vieux Lyon
UNESCO-listed Renaissance quarter on the Saône with narrow streets, traboules and traditional bouchons.
Lyon Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Jean, mixing Romanesque and Gothic styles, known for its 14th-century astronomical clock.
Place de la Trinité
Small square at the foot of the Montée du Gourguillon, setting of the Guignol puppet stories.
Montée du Gourguillon
Steep medieval cobbled lane climbing from Saint-Jean towards Fourvière, one of the oldest streets in Lyon.
Ancient Theatre of Fourvière
Roman theatre from about 15 BC on Fourvière hill, still used for the summer Nuits de Fourvière festival.
Day 3
Palais de la Bourse, Lyon
Second Empire palace housing the chamber of commerce, with ornate halls on the Place des Cordeliers.
Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
Major art museum in a former abbey on Place des Terreaux, from Egyptian antiquities to Picasso, with a cloister garden.
Place des Terreaux
Lyon's grand square in front of the Hôtel de Ville, with the Bartholdi fountain and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls
Remains of a Roman amphitheatre on the Croix-Rousse slopes, site of the martyrdom of Saint Blandina.
La Croix-Rousse
Hill district of the old silk workers, with traboules, the Mur des Canuts mural and a daily market.
Day 4
Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon
Former hospital on the Rhône rebuilt by Soufflot, now restored with courtyards, shops and the Cité de la Gastronomie.
Place Bellecour
One of the largest open squares in Europe, with an equestrian statue of Louis XIV and the tourist office.
Grande synagogue de Lyon
Neo-Byzantine synagogue from 1864 on the Saône quay, the main synagogue of Lyon.
Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay
Romanesque abbey church in the Ainay district, consecrated in 1107, with Roman columns reused inside.
Place Carnot
Square by Perrache station with a monument to the Republic and a Christmas market in December.
Lyon in 5 days
Day 1
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Late-19th-century basilica above the old town, richly decorated with mosaics, with a terrace overlooking the whole city.
Cemetery of Loyasse
Romantic 19th-century hillside cemetery on Fourvière with elaborate tombs of Lyon notables.
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Large urban park with a lake, rose gardens, a free zoo and the botanical garden, in the 6th arrondissement.
Day 2
Place des Jacobins
Elegant square on the Presqu'île with a marble fountain honouring Lyon artists.
Musée Gadagne
Renaissance mansion in Vieux Lyon housing the city history museum and a puppet museum.
Lyon Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Jean, mixing Romanesque and Gothic styles, known for its 14th-century astronomical clock.
Place de la Trinité
Small square at the foot of the Montée du Gourguillon, setting of the Guignol puppet stories.
Montée du Gourguillon
Steep medieval cobbled lane climbing from Saint-Jean towards Fourvière, one of the oldest streets in Lyon.
Ancient Theatre of Fourvière
Roman theatre from about 15 BC on Fourvière hill, still used for the summer Nuits de Fourvière festival.
Day 3
Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
Major art museum in a former abbey on Place des Terreaux, from Egyptian antiquities to Picasso, with a cloister garden.
Place des Terreaux
Lyon's grand square in front of the Hôtel de Ville, with the Bartholdi fountain and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls
Remains of a Roman amphitheatre on the Croix-Rousse slopes, site of the martyrdom of Saint Blandina.
La Croix-Rousse
Hill district of the old silk workers, with traboules, the Mur des Canuts mural and a daily market.
Day 4
Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon
Former hospital on the Rhône rebuilt by Soufflot, now restored with courtyards, shops and the Cité de la Gastronomie.
Place Bellecour
One of the largest open squares in Europe, with an equestrian statue of Louis XIV and the tourist office.
Grande synagogue de Lyon
Neo-Byzantine synagogue from 1864 on the Saône quay, the main synagogue of Lyon.
Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay
Romanesque abbey church in the Ainay district, consecrated in 1107, with Roman columns reused inside.
Place Carnot
Square by Perrache station with a monument to the Republic and a Christmas market in December.
Day 5
Palais de la Bourse, Lyon
Second Empire palace housing the chamber of commerce, with ornate halls on the Place des Cordeliers.
Vieux Lyon
UNESCO-listed Renaissance quarter on the Saône with narrow streets, traboules and traditional bouchons.
Lyon in 6 days
Day 1
Cemetery of Loyasse
Romantic 19th-century hillside cemetery on Fourvière with elaborate tombs of Lyon notables.
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Large urban park with a lake, rose gardens, a free zoo and the botanical garden, in the 6th arrondissement.
Day 2
Place des Jacobins
Elegant square on the Presqu'île with a marble fountain honouring Lyon artists.
Musée Gadagne
Renaissance mansion in Vieux Lyon housing the city history museum and a puppet museum.
Lyon Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Jean, mixing Romanesque and Gothic styles, known for its 14th-century astronomical clock.
Place de la Trinité
Small square at the foot of the Montée du Gourguillon, setting of the Guignol puppet stories.
Montée du Gourguillon
Steep medieval cobbled lane climbing from Saint-Jean towards Fourvière, one of the oldest streets in Lyon.
Ancient Theatre of Fourvière
Roman theatre from about 15 BC on Fourvière hill, still used for the summer Nuits de Fourvière festival.
Day 3
Palais de la Bourse, Lyon
Second Empire palace housing the chamber of commerce, with ornate halls on the Place des Cordeliers.
Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
Major art museum in a former abbey on Place des Terreaux, from Egyptian antiquities to Picasso, with a cloister garden.
Place des Terreaux
Lyon's grand square in front of the Hôtel de Ville, with the Bartholdi fountain and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls
Remains of a Roman amphitheatre on the Croix-Rousse slopes, site of the martyrdom of Saint Blandina.
La Croix-Rousse
Hill district of the old silk workers, with traboules, the Mur des Canuts mural and a daily market.
Day 4
Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon
Former hospital on the Rhône rebuilt by Soufflot, now restored with courtyards, shops and the Cité de la Gastronomie.
Place Bellecour
One of the largest open squares in Europe, with an equestrian statue of Louis XIV and the tourist office.
Grande synagogue de Lyon
Neo-Byzantine synagogue from 1864 on the Saône quay, the main synagogue of Lyon.
Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay
Romanesque abbey church in the Ainay district, consecrated in 1107, with Roman columns reused inside.
Place Carnot
Square by Perrache station with a monument to the Republic and a Christmas market in December.
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Late-19th-century basilica above the old town, richly decorated with mosaics, with a terrace overlooking the whole city.
Day 5
Vieux Lyon
UNESCO-listed Renaissance quarter on the Saône with narrow streets, traboules and traditional bouchons.
Day 6
Jardin botanique de Lyon
Free botanical garden inside the Parc de la Tête d'Or, with large Victorian-style greenhouses.
Musée d'art contemporain de Lyon
Contemporary art museum in the Cité Internationale, showing large temporary exhibitions and hosting the Biennale.
Parc de la Feyssine
Riverside nature park by the Rhône in Villeurbanne, with meadows and walking paths.
Lyon in 7 days
Day 1
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
Late-19th-century basilica above the old town, richly decorated with mosaics, with a terrace overlooking the whole city.
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Large urban park with a lake, rose gardens, a free zoo and the botanical garden, in the 6th arrondissement.
Day 2
Grande synagogue de Lyon
Neo-Byzantine synagogue from 1864 on the Saône quay, the main synagogue of Lyon.
Musée Gadagne
Renaissance mansion in Vieux Lyon housing the city history museum and a puppet museum.
Lyon Cathedral
Cathedral of Saint-Jean, mixing Romanesque and Gothic styles, known for its 14th-century astronomical clock.
Place de la Trinité
Small square at the foot of the Montée du Gourguillon, setting of the Guignol puppet stories.
Montée du Gourguillon
Steep medieval cobbled lane climbing from Saint-Jean towards Fourvière, one of the oldest streets in Lyon.
Ancient Theatre of Fourvière
Roman theatre from about 15 BC on Fourvière hill, still used for the summer Nuits de Fourvière festival.
Day 3
Place Carnot
Square by Perrache station with a monument to the Republic and a Christmas market in December.
Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay
Romanesque abbey church in the Ainay district, consecrated in 1107, with Roman columns reused inside.
Place des Jacobins
Elegant square on the Presqu'île with a marble fountain honouring Lyon artists.
Place Bellecour
One of the largest open squares in Europe, with an equestrian statue of Louis XIV and the tourist office.
Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon
Former hospital on the Rhône rebuilt by Soufflot, now restored with courtyards, shops and the Cité de la Gastronomie.
Palais de la Bourse, Lyon
Second Empire palace housing the chamber of commerce, with ornate halls on the Place des Cordeliers.
Day 4
Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon
Major art museum in a former abbey on Place des Terreaux, from Egyptian antiquities to Picasso, with a cloister garden.
Place des Terreaux
Lyon's grand square in front of the Hôtel de Ville, with the Bartholdi fountain and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls
Remains of a Roman amphitheatre on the Croix-Rousse slopes, site of the martyrdom of Saint Blandina.
La Croix-Rousse
Hill district of the old silk workers, with traboules, the Mur des Canuts mural and a daily market.
Day 5
Vieux Lyon
UNESCO-listed Renaissance quarter on the Saône with narrow streets, traboules and traditional bouchons.
Cemetery of Loyasse
Romantic 19th-century hillside cemetery on Fourvière with elaborate tombs of Lyon notables.
Day 6
Jardin botanique de Lyon
Free botanical garden inside the Parc de la Tête d'Or, with large Victorian-style greenhouses.
Musée d'art contemporain de Lyon
Contemporary art museum in the Cité Internationale, showing large temporary exhibitions and hosting the Biennale.
Parc de la Feyssine
Riverside nature park by the Rhône in Villeurbanne, with meadows and walking paths.
Day 7
Aquarium du Grand Lyon
Public aquarium in La Mulatière with Mediterranean and tropical fish, sharks and rays.
Musée des Confluences
Science and anthropology museum in a striking glass and steel building where the Rhône meets the Saône.
Watch: Lyon in 3 days
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Lyon
April to June and September to October are the most comfortable months in Lyon, with mild weather and lively café terraces. July and August can be hot, and some family-run restaurants close for a summer break in August. Winter is cold and damp, but the Fête des Lumières lights up the city for several nights in early December, when hotels fill up quickly.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Lyon on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Lyon on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Lyon on GetYourGuide or on Viator
- From the airport: a private transfer in Lyon with Kiwitaxi
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for France from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Lyon with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Lyon
- Take the funicular from Vieux Lyon metro station up to Fourvière; it uses normal TCL public transport tickets.
- The Lyon City Card covers public transport, most museums and a river cruise; good value for two or more museum days.
- The Museum of Fine Arts closes on Tuesdays; the Gadagne museums close on Mondays and Tuesdays; the Musée des Confluences closes on Mondays.
- Explore the traboules, covered passageways through buildings in Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse; enter quietly, as people live there.
- Book a bouchon (traditional Lyon restaurant) for dinner, especially on weekends; the Fête des Lumières around 8 December fills hotels early.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls: Cqui, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Ancient Theatre of Fourvière: Jean-Christophe BENOIST, CC BY 4.0
- Aquarium du Grand Lyon: Aurelie Chaumat, Public domain
- Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière: User:Chris 73, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay: This picture belongs to Xavier Caré . Please credit : Xavier Caré / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA . If you would like special permission to use, license, or purc, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Cemetery of Loyasse: Frachet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Grande synagogue de Lyon: Alorange, Public domain
- Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon: Lana Hussain, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Jardin botanique de Lyon: Simlaurent, CC BY-SA 3.0
- La Croix-Rousse: Pline, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lyon Cathedral: Otourly, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Montée du Gourguillon: Gonedelyon, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon: Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon – Photo Corentin Mossière, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Musée Gadagne: Gonedelyon, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Musée d'art contemporain de Lyon: Original uploader (WT-fr) Gonedelyon at French Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 1.0
- Musée des Confluences: Monster4711, CC-BY-SA-4.0
- Palais de la Bourse, Lyon: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Parc de la Feyssine: Nouill, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Parc de la Tête d'Or: Phinou, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Place Bellecour: Delfin Le Dauphin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Place Carnot: Jean-Louis Lascoux, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Place de la Trinité: Gonedelyon, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Place des Jacobins: Koudkeu, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Place des Terreaux: Corentin Eustacchi, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Vieux Lyon: Karldupart, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
