France · 3 days · 17 stops
3 days in Lyon – a ready-made itinerary
Lyon sits where the Rhône and the Saône meet and is often called the capital of French food. One day covers Fourvière and the old town of Vieux Lyon, one Croix-Rousse and the park, one cinema history, the market hall and the Confluence district. The stops are in walking order.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 17 stops
- Highlights
- Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Place des Terreaux, Institut Lumière, Roman Theatre of Fourvière, Saint-Jean Cathedral
- Where to stay
- Presqu'île, Vieux Lyon, Around Part-Dieu
- Getting around
- Explore Vieux Lyon and the Presqu'île on foot.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September to October are the most pleasant: mild and good for walking.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in Lyon
14 places you should not miss in Lyon – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
Basilica of Notre-Dame de FourvièreThe white basilica from the late 19th century, richly decorated with mosaics inside. The terrace next to it looks out over the whole city.Day 1
Roman Theatre of FourvièreThe theatre of the Roman city of Lugdunum, built under Augustus. Next to it are a smaller odeon and the Gallo-Roman museum.Day 1- Saint-Jean CathedralA Gothic cathedral at the foot of the hill. Inside stands an astronomical clock with moving figures.Day 1
Place BellecourThe vast square with red gravel and an equestrian statue of Louis XIV, across the Saône on the Presqu'île.Day 1
Basilica of Saint-Martin d'AinayA Romanesque church of a former abbey, consecrated in the early 12th century. Quiet, a few minutes south of Place Bellecour.Day 1- Place des TerreauxThe square in front of the town hall with the large Bartholdi fountain. This is where the climb to Croix-Rousse begins.Day 2
- Museum of Fine ArtsA large art museum in a former abbey, from antiquity to modern art. The cloister garden is a quiet place for a break.Day 2
- Cour des VoracesA traboule, a passage through buildings and courtyards, with a huge open stairwell. Keep your voice down, people live here.Day 2
- Mur des CanutsA giant mural that turns a whole wall into a Croix-Rousse street scene. The district was home to the silk weavers.Day 2
- Parc de la Tête d'OrA large city park with a lake, rose garden, glasshouses and a small zoo. Good for the late afternoon.Day 2
- Institut LumièreA museum in the villa of the Lumière brothers. Next door, one of the first films was shot in 1895: workers leaving the factory.Day 3
- Grand Hôtel-DieuThe former hospital with a long façade on the Rhône, now with courtyards, shops and cafés to walk through.Day 3
- Resistance and Deportation History CentreA museum on the Resistance and the occupation, in a building the Gestapo used during the war. Serious and well explained.Day 3
- Musée des ConfluencesA museum of natural and human history in a glass-and-steel building, right at the tip where the Rhône and the Saône meet.Day 3
Day 1
Fourvière and Vieux Lyon
A funicular runs from Vieux Lyon up Fourvière hill. Walk back down via steps and gardens.
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
The white basilica from the late 19th century, richly decorated with mosaics inside. The terrace next to it looks out over the whole city.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvièreabout 5 min on foot
Roman Theatre of Fourvière
The theatre of the Roman city of Lugdunum, built under Augustus. Next to it are a smaller odeon and the Gallo-Roman museum.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Roman Theatre of Fourvièreabout 10 min on foot
Saint-Jean Cathedral
A Gothic cathedral at the foot of the hill. Inside stands an astronomical clock with moving figures.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Saint-Jean Cathedralright next door
Bouchons in Vieux Lyon
The lanes around Rue Saint-Jean are full of bouchons, Lyon's traditional eateries. Try quenelles or saucisson brioché.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Bouchons in Vieux Lyonabout 10 min on foot
Place Bellecour
The vast square with red gravel and an equestrian statue of Louis XIV, across the Saône on the Presqu'île.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Place Bellecourabout 10 min on foot
Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay
A Romanesque church of a former abbey, consecrated in the early 12th century. Quiet, a few minutes south of Place Bellecour.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay
Day 2
The Presqu'île and Croix-Rousse
Place des Terreaux
The square in front of the town hall with the large Bartholdi fountain. This is where the climb to Croix-Rousse begins.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Place des Terreauxright next door
Museum of Fine Arts
A large art museum in a former abbey, from antiquity to modern art. The cloister garden is a quiet place for a break.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Museum of Fine Artsabout 10 min on foot
Cour des Voraces
A traboule, a passage through buildings and courtyards, with a huge open stairwell. Keep your voice down, people live here.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Cour des Voracesabout 5 min on foot
Croix-Rousse market
On top of the hill, market stalls line the boulevard in the morning. Cheese, fruit and bread for lunch on a bench.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Croix-Rousse marketabout 10 min on foot
Mur des Canuts
A giant mural that turns a whole wall into a Croix-Rousse street scene. The district was home to the silk weavers.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Mur des CanutsWalk across the Rhône, about 30 min, or take the bus
Parc de la Tête d'Or
A large city park with a lake, rose garden, glasshouses and a small zoo. Good for the late afternoon.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Parc de la Tête d'Or
Day 3
Cinema, the market hall and Confluence
Metro D runs to Monplaisir-Lumière for the Institut Lumière. Tram T1 runs to the Musée des Confluences.
Institut Lumière
A museum in the villa of the Lumière brothers. Next door, one of the first films was shot in 1895: workers leaving the factory.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Institut Lumièreabout 2.5 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
The market hall with cheese, charcuterie, oysters and pralines. Many stalls have seats where you can eat.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuseabout 20 min on foot
Grand Hôtel-Dieu
The former hospital with a long façade on the Rhône, now with courtyards, shops and cafés to walk through.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Grand Hôtel-Dieuabout 20 min on foot
Resistance and Deportation History Centre
A museum on the Resistance and the occupation, in a building the Gestapo used during the war. Serious and well explained.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Resistance and Deportation History Centreabout 2.1 km as the crow flies – by bus, train or taxi
Musée des Confluences
A museum of natural and human history in a glass-and-steel building, right at the tip where the Rhône and the Saône meet.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Musée des Confluences
Good to know
Best time to go
April to June and September to October are the most pleasant: mild and good for walking. July and August can be hot. In early December the city lights up for the Fête des Lumières, and it gets very crowded.
Getting around
Explore Vieux Lyon and the Presqu'île on foot. The metro, trams and buses link the districts, and two funiculars run from Vieux Lyon up Fourvière hill. An express tram runs from the airport to Part-Dieu station. Tickets are sold at machines or via the app.
Where to stay
Presqu'île
The peninsula between the Rhône and the Saône, central between Place Bellecour and Place des Terreaux. Short walks in every direction.
Vieux Lyon
The old town at the foot of Fourvière, with lanes and bouchons. Lively at night, and rooms are often small.
Around Part-Dieu
Around the main station, close to the market hall. Handy if you arrive by train, with less of an old-town feel.
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More on Lyon in our blog: Lyon Festival of Lights 2026: dates and times · How many days in Lyon? Plans for 1–4 days
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Lyon: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in Lyon?
The must-see sights in Lyon are Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Roman Theatre of Fourvière, Saint-Jean Cathedral, Place Bellecour, Basilica of Saint-Martin d'Ainay and Place des Terreaux. This plan links 14 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Are 3 days enough for Lyon?
Yes, for the main districts and a few museums. With more time, Pérouges or the Beaujolais make good day trips.
What is a traboule?
A passage that leads through buildings and courtyards from one street to the next. Most are in Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse. Many run through residential buildings, so keep quiet.
What should I eat in Lyon?
Typical dishes are quenelles, saucisson, salade lyonnaise and pink praline tart. Try them in a bouchon or at the market hall.
When are museums closed?
Many museums in Lyon close one day a week. Check opening hours before you go.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Elwood j blues, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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